Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER, AND I AM NOT MAKING ANY MONEY OFF THIS PIECE OF WRITING.
And the argument between Ron and Hermione is based on J.K Rowling's version of events, so I can't take any credit for that part. Also, since this fic is set in GOF, a lot of other things such as the Yule Ball, Triwizard Tournament, kissing couples in the bushes and Krum asking Hermione out are J.K.R's as well, so those are parts I can't take any credit for.
Chapter Seven
After Pansy's sneak attack on her that caused her to develop a nasty case of pimples in front of her entire Transfiguration class, Hermione vowed to make sure that Malfoy learnt the truth. She found that he wasn't too keen on listening to her, and had to force the potion down his throat everyday, although it was getting harder to find him, despite the bigger doses she had been giving him.
Desperate times called for desperate measures, and despite her S.P.E.W campaign, she asked Dobby very nicely if he would mind trailing after Draco to see if his food was uncontaminated. It seemed to be working, because, as the Yule Ball grew closer, Malfoy seemed to grow more distant with Pansy.
On the evening of the ball, Hermione, with the help of her two excited roommates, managed to tame her bushy hair. It took three hours and she was undeniably pleased with the end result. Once she got dressed, she slipped out of the common room, undetected.
She met Krum by the ship. He was dressed in deep red robes, and smiled slightly as she approached. "You look beautiful," he said. She blushed deeply. Krum was very flattering.
"Thank you," she said. "You don't look to bad yourself."
"Shall we get a move on?" asked Karkaroff. The Durmstrang procession made their way towards the front doors, Hermione and Krum in the lead. When they made their entrance, Hermione looked around nervously, noticing many jealous looks thrown in her direction. She passed Harry, who was with Parvati, but he didn't seem to recognise her. She snuck a peek at Pansy and Malfoy. Pansy's mouth dropped wide open, and Malfoy just stared. Hermione found herself growing rather uncomfortable, especially as he passed and whispered, "Looking good Granger." She had no idea what it was that made him do that, or why she found herself so embarrassed by the comment.
Dinner passed much too fast and soon enough, the time to dance came. She wasn't particularly pleased with the idea of dancing in front of so many people, and when she glanced at Harry with Parvati, she knew that he wasn't having much fun either. She was glad when the first dance ended, but Krum insisted that they dance again, and she was too polite to decline. In the end, after dancing three dances in total with him, she finally managed to get him to stop by telling him that she was tired. She made her way through the crowd and headed over to where Ron was sitting. "Where's Harry?" she asked.
"No idea? Shouldn't you be looking for Krum?" Hermione frowned.
"He's gone to get drinks for us."
"Well I won't take up any more of your time," he said with a surly look on his face. He made as if to get up and walk away, but Hermione grabbed his arm.
"What is wrong with you?" she asked. "Why are you acting so strangely?"
"Why are you here with Krum?" he shot back.
"He asked me to come with him. I couldn't very well refuse, could I?"
"He's from Durmstrang Hermione!" said Ron heatedly.
"So?" she retorted. "I can still socialise with him can't I? I don't see you having a go at Davies for going with Fleur." Ron shook his head and gave her a withering glance.
"I bet you've been helping him out with his clue," he said.
"Why in the world would I do that?" she said. "I want Harry to win, not him!"
"The only reason he wants to be with you is because he needs help on the clue! Anyone with half a brain can see that!"Tears welled up in Hermione's eyes.
"You are so pathetic!" she screamed, and flounced off. She headed outside and sat down on a bench, tears now flowing freely down her face. She was so dejected that she didn't notice the couple in the bush behind her, until one of them said something that sounded very familiar to Hermione.
Hermione frowned and turned around. The pair seemed very busy. She stood up, just as the voice said, "Let's go somewhere a little roomier."
Not wanting to seem as if she was eavesdropping, Hermione ran behind a pillar. She peeked out to see who the mystery couple was. A dark haired girl with pink robes was leading a very familiar raven-haired boy out of the bushes. He was dressed in bottle green robes, and when the moonlight illuminated their faces, Hermione gasped in shock.
"My reaction exactly," said a low voice behind her. Hermione turned back to find Malfoy staring at the couple with distaste.
"You knew about this?" she said. "When? And why didn't you tell me?"
"That Potter was shagging my girlfriend? Please Granger. If I'd told you, you'd have made the whole thing worse." Hermione glared at him.
"How so?" she snapped.
"You've been crying," he said. It was not said out of concern; merely an observation.
"What's it to you?" she asked, sniffing.
"Well, if my sources are correct, I think I can assume that this is Weasley's fault." A lump rose in Hermione's throat at the sound of Ron's name.
"He's a pig," she said.
"And my girlfriend is a whore," he sighed. "Perhaps you'll consider joining forces?" he said.
Hermione simply stared at him. Draco sighed again and shook his head. "Shall we walk?" She nodded, and wiped her eyes.
"I've been planning this for a while now," he said. "Ever since you gave me the antidote, I've been seeing things in a new light. Pansy still thinks that I'm under her spell, even though I haven't eaten in the Great Hall for over two weeks. Once I found out that she was shagging Potter however, I knew that I couldn't let her get away with it. There was no way that I could live with the humiliation of knowing that someone actually managed to delude me. No one fools Draco Malfoy," he finished, rather breathlessly. Hermione just stared.
"Where do I come in?" she asked finally. "And why me?"
"Always with the questions. A little patience wouldn't hurt, Granger. And if I were you, I would choose my friends a little more carefully." Hermione raised her eyebrows.
"I know Harry and Ron have been prats but-"
"Not Potty and Weasel," he said, looking slightly exasperated. "Patil and Brown. The biggest gossips in school? And they call you the smart one."
Hermione's insides turned to ice, and her breathing became shallow. "How much do you know?"
"A fair bit. I find that Slytherin girls can be easily persuaded." Hermione looked at him.
"What did they tell you?" Draco smirked and began a long rant.
"You accepted the bet to make Weasley jealous. The only reason you were helping me was to get close to me for the same reason. You accepted Krum's request for the same reason. You were in love with Potter in our first year. You do consider me attractive. You wear pyjamas with teddy bears on them when you go to sleep. You-"
SMACK!
"What was that for?" asked Malfoy, holding his hand to his face. His cheek was stinging quite badly; it was the second time that Hermione had hit him that year.
"Shut up!" she said, her face red.
"Well, at least now I can be certain that you'll be willing to do what I say."
Hermione felt like slapping him again. I hate you Draco Malfoy. The sight of you makes me sick. You are the most arrogant little twerp-
"Granger! Are you listening?" Hermione shook her head as if to clear it.
"What?"
"You're going to help me get back at Pansy for what she did to me. Oh, but first, you have to take the jinx off me."
"You idiot! Haven't you noticed? It's worn off already! You've just threatened me with blackmail, and nothing has happened!"
"Oh," said Malfoy, blinking rather foolishly. "Well anyway, you are going to help me, and you are going to do exactly as I say. Firstly, I'd rather you looked like you do now all the time. That hair of yours is terribly unattractive. Secondly, you have to change your attitude. No more of that jumping around in class, answering all the questions. From now on, you will speak when spoken to. You will be aloof, mysterious, and alluring."
"In other words, a female version of you," said Hermione disgustedly.
"That's about it yes."
"Never," said Hermione, and walked away. Malfoy sighed.
"Don't blame me when everyone knows about Weasel tomorrow!" Hermione stopped in her tracks.
"You wouldn't."
"I would." He smirked and drew closer. "All the girls in our year know already, and it would be too simple to have them spread the news to some of the boys." Hermione shivered. "So I suggest that if you don't want the object of your affections finding out about your secret love for him, you do as I say. Now follow me. I'll give you your instructions, and we will begin your training tomorrow."
He walked off and Hermione trailed behind him, feeling more miserable than she could ever remember feeling. She realised that her plan was falling apart at her feet. Ron wasn't speaking to her, her roommates couldn't be trusted, and Harry…
She didn't even want to think about it. As she stood alone in the Entrance Hall, she began thinking about Malfoy's plan. If he managed to transform her into someone that everyone would envy, perhaps it would help her get back at certain people.
And maybe, just maybe, Ron would come to his senses.
She shivered in the sudden gust of wind that came in from the door as Snape walked in. He ignored her, and headed downstairs. Not long after, Malfoy came back up.
"Read this tonight, and meet me in Classroom Eleven tomorrow. We'll carry on from there." He left abruptly and Hermione bit her lip, wondering what she had gotten herself into.
Ok, this chapter sees the arrival of OOC Hermione, who's slightly pathetic and too quiet in my opinion. Canon Hermione wouldn't have given a damn if threatened with blackmail.
Oh well, it's all in the name of creativity.
Draco's a total dick here.
