Chapter 9 – Down The Rabbit Hole
Quick Note: I do not own anything from the wonderful world of Harry Potter by JK Rowling. That includes any scenes I may have derived or paraphrased from the original text.
Great Hall – 05/26/1992
Your detention will take place at eleven o'clock tonight.
Meet Mr. Filch in the Entrance Hall.
Professor M. McGonagall
Hermione's eyes flickered from her paper to the identical one Blaise was holding in his hands. It looked like they would have detention together. She watched as he crumpled it up before scowling and shoving it in his bag. After the night they were caught by McGonagall, they hadn't been on the best of terms. Hermione had demanded an explanation from Blaise for his erratic behavior and that seemed to only result in a complete shut-out. He wasn't telling her anything anymore, and it was aggravating to say the least. She could only pray that his feud with Harry and Ron would end soon. He was one of the nicest people she had met in Slytherin, other than Daphne of course, and she didn't want to jeopardize their relationship over the silly, little grudge he had with her former friends. She wanted to be there for him just as she had been there for Ron and Harry when they needed her.
However, being the stubborn girl she was, Hermione refused to apologize. She hadn't done anything wrong; she had just been worried!
"I thought she forgot about this," muttered Blaise quietly.
The blonde turned her head until she was staring at him, her eyebrows raised. She hadn't expected him to talk to her. Turning back to the parchment, she shrugged noncommittally and deposited it in her book bag.
"Finally done ignoring me now, are you?"she asked. "You've been avoiding me for days."
Blaise scowled before looking away, his dark eyes fixed firmly on the table.
"I know and I… apologize for my behavior," he replied scathingly, "Are you happy now?"
Knowing that was the best she could get from him – the fact that he actually apologized was a bit surprising – Hermione released a sigh before catching his gaze.
"Yes," she replied softly, "Thanks, Blaise."
The scowl on his face softened just a tiny bit as he gave her a nod, before turning back to his food.
"I can't believe McGonagall is making us go into the Forbidden Forest," he complained, poking angrily at his scrambled eggs, "I thought Dumbledore specifically stated it was off-limits to students!"
Hermione shrugged again, her eyes automatically flickering to the Gryffindor table. After a few moments, Draco looked up and sent her a small nod.
Good, she thought, satisfied, Draco has detention tonight as well.
Her brown eyes flickered back to her toast and she sighed.
"Yes, well… I suppose they decided to make an exception."
Forbidden Forest
"I'll be back at dawn to take them to the castle," growled Filch, his beady eyes glancing between all six of them, "… if they're still alive."
The caretaker laughed nasally before waddling away from the group happily.
As soon as he was out of earshot, Blaise looked over at Hagrid.
"There's no way I'm going into that bloody forest."
"Mind yer tongue, boy! Yer goin' inter the forest whether yeh like it or not!"
"Excuse–"
Hermione pinched the Italian's arm fiercely, stopping him from saying anything else. Blaise winced before shooting her an angry glance and closing his mouth with an audible snap.
"Sorry about him, Hagrid. Blaise doesn't know how to respect anyone other than himself."
The half-giant seemed very, very surprised that she had said something that wasn't in defense of Blaise. There was a moment of awkward silence as everyone except Draco stared at her incredulously. The stupid brunet was trying hard not to laugh.
"Righ', righ'," Hagrid eventually said, his eyebrows still up to his hairline before he coughed gruffly, "Well, let's get a move on. Follow me over here and listen carefully. What we're gonna do here tonigh' is dangerous and I don' want any one of yeh takin' risks."
After explaining the dangers of the forest, how to use wands to send up sparks for help, and the unicorn blood, Hagrid split them off into groups.
"Alrigh', Ron, Draco, an' Hermione, all of yeh will follow me. Blaise, Neville, an' Harry, yeh can take Fang an' go the other way."
Hermione wanted to hit her head on the side of a tree. Neville, Harry, and Blaise? Was Hagrid joking? That group spelled disaster in huge, fiery letters. Neville looked pale, Blaise had a dark twinkle in his eyes, Harry and Ron looked aggravated, and Draco looked bored and tired.
The blonde stopped herself from protesting against Hagrid's mental group choice and instead followed behind him and Ron in a resigned manner. Surprisingly enough, Draco was walking in-step with her.
"What? Is Ron too much for you?" she whispered wryly under her breath as they entered the dark, shrouded forest.
"How did you put up with him? Actually, is it just me or is every person in our year an idiot?" he breathed back, his wand out as his eyes flickered from side to side, surveying the area.
"No, they're all eleven or twelve, Malfoy," she rolled her eyes, her mocking voice barely audible as Hagrid engaged Ron in a conversation about unicorns and centaurs. "Just because they're too young to provide an interesting, intellectual conversation about the size of your wands, or something else equally idiotic, doesn't mean they're stupid."
"Hmm…" his voice immediately dropped lower as they went deeper into the forest. Hermione glanced behind them and watched apprehensively as Hagrid's Hut disappeared from view.
There's no going back now.
"The size of our wands, eh?" he replied suggestively, "It looks like you've given this a lot of thought, my dear mud-blood Granger," he ended the sentence patronizingly and Hermione found herself feeling a mixture of anger and embarrassment at his sexual innuendo.
Elbowing him hard as the blood rushed to her face, she thanked Merlin it was too dark for him to see her blush.
"Shut up before I leave you without a wand to talk about," she hissed meaningfully, "And that goes for both of your bloody wands."
"Merlin," replied Draco, his nose scrunched as he turned and locked his amused, grey eyes on hers, "you're a nasty one, Granger."
"And don't you forget it," she said shortly, before brushing past him and catching up with Hagrid and Ron.
They had fallen behind a bit during their banter and Merlin knows that was never a good thing in the Forbidden Forest. Losing sight of Hagrid and Ron was definitely something she'd rather not have to deal with, especially with Malfoy of all people.
After another long stretch of time, in which they all ran into Ronan and Bane, the centaurs, Hermione's lids started drooping. She had no idea how long they'd been out in the Forbidden Forest, but she concluded it was at least past midnight. All she wanted to do was curl up in her bed and sleep the hours away.
She closed her eyes, intending to rest them for just a second, when she suddenly tripped over a root and flew into someone else.
Landing on to the ground with a thump, she frowned and scrunched open her eyes to see Draco looking completely worn-out and grumpy underneath her.
"Honestly? What the hell do you think you're doing?" he glared blearily.
"I'm sorry," she replied, stifling a yawn and rising, "I didn't mean to, honestly. I'm just so ti… wait."
She turned and looked behind her, listening intently as a dull noise penetrated the still, cold air.
"What the bloody hell–" started Ron before his eyes widened as the disturbance became louder and more distinct.
Hermione gasped. Refusing to wait for the others, she began sprinting through the undergrowth despite her aching hands and knees. She'd been waiting for that signal since they'd split up and parted ways upon entering the Forbidden Forest.
Someone was screaming, and that meant only one thing.
They've seen Voldemort!
Gryffindor Common Room – 05/27/1992
Draco was only half-listening to Potter, his head in his hands, as he tried desperately to ward off the oncoming headache. This always happened whenever he suffered from lack of sleep.
The Boy-Who-Lived-To-Save-The-Day was pacing like a fucking maniac and mumbling things under his breath, his hair growing messier and messier as he became more excited. The brunet could only catch certain pieces of the puzzle Potter was trying to put together and realized it was tonight that cemented Harry's decision to go under that trap door and stop the stone from being taken. What made this situation even more headache-worthy was the fact that Weasel, who looked bloody frightened and was extremely pale, kept randomly interjecting a "don't say his name!" whenever 'Voldemort' was said.
Draco swore, if Ron said the phrase just one more time…
"… he was talking about interfering with what the planets say is going to happen… they must show that Voldemort's coming back…" muttered Harry, his emerald eyes wide as everything slowly started to fit together.
"WILL YOU STOP SAYING THE RUDDY NAME!" yelled Ron.
Draco snapped.
"OH SHUT UP, WEASEL!" he bellowed, yanking his head from his hands to glare at the redhead, "He hasn't been bloody resurrected yet! AND YOU!" Draco's head swung from Ron to Harry, who was watching the exchange, a far-away look in his eyes. The raven-haired boy's gaze focused on Draco when he snapped his fingers and waved a hand in front of him. "Earth to Potter! HELLO! We will deal with this later, not right now!"
Ron was about to open his mouth to argue, but Draco cut him off.
"I have a bloody headache, am tired, and don't feel well. I don't know about you two, but I suggest we all get some sleep."
And with that, the brunet turned around abruptly and stalked off toward the boys' dormitories, thoroughly exhausted and even more furious than before – it seemed his headache only amplified after what he told Ron and Harry.
About to tuck himself in, the dormitory door opened and Potter and Weasel walked in.
"You're right, Draco," muttered Harry, looking very tired, "We'll worry about this after a good night's rest."
After Potter changed, a low sound of surprise was heard and Draco turned to survey the raven-haired boy, one eye open. Weasel was already fast asleep under the covers and, for once, not snoring.
"What, Potter?" the brunet murmured.
"It's back," he whispered, a tired smile on his face as he held up a very familiar, shimmery, and slightly translucent fabric.
It was the invisibility cloak.
That was the last thing Draco saw before promptly passing out on his bed from exhaustion.
Hogwarts – 06/04/1992
"No more studying," Ron smiled happily, "About time, too. C'mon, Harry, don't look so sad. We have a whole week to relax before we get our scores back."
"It's not that," muttered Harry irritably, his hand rubbing his scar, "I just… I wish I knew what this means!" he yelled angrily, frowning, "My scar just keeps hurting. I mean, this has happened before… but not for this long a time–"
"Perhaps you should go see Madam Pomfrey, mate," said Ron, "If it really hurts that much–"
"I'm not ill though," he said, plunking himself down under a tree. Draco and Ron followed, sitting on either side of him, "I think it's a sign… Something bad is going to happen…"
Draco kept his mouth firmly shut as he listened to Weasel and Potter talk. Harry would figure it out soon enough without any prodding from him. The brunet was surprised by how intelligent he actually was. It was Weasel King that was stupid.
"Relax, Harry," said Ron, looking away and surveying the bright, sunny day. It seemed he was too happy to get worked up. "Like Draco said, nothing can possibly happen. Dumbledore won't allow it, and Snape wouldn't be stupid enough to try and get the stone after he almost had his leg ripped off the first time."
"Still… I just have this feeling… wait. We have to go see Hagrid. Right now!" Harry suddenly jumped to his feet and made for the Hut.
"What?" asked Ron sleepily, his eyes already half-shut, "What's–"
"He's already left, Ron," sighed Draco before scrambling to his feet and running after Harry. "Get up!"
Focusing his attention on Potter, he called out to him.
"What's the problem? What did you figure out?"
"Don't you think it's a bit odd," started Harry, panting as they trekked up a grassy hill, "that what Hagrid wants the most is a dragon and some masked stranger just happens to show up with a dragon egg? I mean, they're illegal to carry around like that! What are the odds? Especially in Hogsmede! I can't believe I didn't see it before!"
"GUYS! WAIT UP!" yelled Ron, obviously out of breath.
They just ignored him as Hagrid's Hut came into view.
The oaf was outside, his sleeves and pant legs rolled up as he shelled peas. Draco tried not to cringe at the view of his ridiculous, hairy legs.
Ron finally caught up to them just as they reached the hut and the half-giant looked up, a big smile on his face for them.
"Hullo," he greeted, "Just finished yer exams? Got time to come in fer a drink?"
"Yes–"
"Actually Hagrid," Harry cut off Ron quickly, "I wanted to ask you something – it's about the stranger that gave you Norbert. What did he look like?"
Hagrid shrugged before turning back to shelling his peas.
"Dunno, Harry. Never got ter see his face. He wouldn' take his cloak off."
Draco's eyes widened in incredulity. Was the oaf bloody stupid?! Who would accept a prize from a card game without knowing who was handing it to you in the first place?!
It seemed Harry and Ron were thinking something along the same lines because a shocked silence descended upon the four of them.
"Hagrid," said Harry cautiously, "are you positive you didn't see anything?"
"It's not unusual, yeh know," Hagrid continued, looking at them now, "Lotsa funny folk come in ter the Hog's Head. He mighta bin a dragon dealer, righ'? I jus' never saw his face."
"Then what did you talk about? Did he ask you anything about Hogwarts at all?" pushed Harry, frowning slightly.
"Oh yeah, Harry. He asked me abou' a few things here and there as he bought me a drink… he told me it was hard to take care o' a dragon an' I told him abou' how, after Fluffy, it would be a piece o' cake…"
"Hagrid, what did you say? Was he interested in Fluffy?" asked Harry, his eyes growing wider.
Draco wanted to hit something. How thick was the bloody half-giant?! How stupid could you possibly be to go around and tell random strangers about things like this?
"–jus' play him a bit o' music and he'll go straight off ter sleep…"
The brunet literally slapped his forehead before following Harry, who looked horrified, as they all ran back to the castle. Hagrid called out after them but Potter only paused to say they had something to do and would be back later. Finally stopping in front of the Entrance Hall, panting, the three looked at each other in understanding.
"We've got to go to Dumbledore now. Hagrid told either Snape or Voldemort about Fluffy – it must've been easy, I reckon, to get the information since Hagrid was drunk. Where do you think Dumbledore's office is?"
"Follow me, Potter," demanded Draco before turning and heading in the direction of Dumbledore's office, "It's–"
"And what do you three think you're doing?"
Draco paused, his eyes widening as he recognized the voice.
McGonagall.
The brunet winced.
"We have to go see Professor Dumbledore," said Harry a bit reluctantly, "It's urgent."
"And what, may I ask, is this all about?" questioned the Transfiguration professor, her eyes watching them shrewdly.
They all looked at each other. Weasel gulped.
"It's… uh… kind of… secret…" he hedged, wincing when McGonagall's nostrils flared.
"Professor Dumbledore left just minutes ago," she said coldly, "He got an urgent message from London and had to leave immediately."
"He's gone?!" they all asked frantically.
"He left just now?!" exclaimed Harry, his eyes bugging out.
"Yes, Potter, Professor Dumbledore has many demands–"
"But, Professor," he interjected, "This is really important!"
"What could be more important than the–"
"It's about the Sorcerer's Stone!" Draco finally cut in, growing impatient with every passing moment.
McGonagall's mouth dropped as the books she'd been holding all fell from her hands and clattered to the floor.
"How–why–you three know?" she spluttered, her eyes widening in shock.
"Professor, we know someone's going to steal it," said Harry frantically, "We have to talk to Dumbledore right away–"
"Potter, Granger, and Weasley," she finally said, composing herself, "I do not know how on Earth you found out about the stone, but I can assure you, it is properly protected."
"But Professor–"
"I suggest," she said sternly, "that you three go out and enjoy the sunshine."
Neither of them moved as McGonagall gave them another look over her glasses before turning and walking away.
"It's tonight," declared Harry once McGonagall rounded a corner, "Snape's going through the trapdoor tonight. He's found out everything he needs, and now he's got Dumbledore out of the way. He sent that note. I bet the Ministry of Magic will get a real shock when Dumbledore shows up–"
"Good afternoon," said a smooth voice.
The trio froze before turning around slowly to find Professor Snape watching them, curiosity in his black eyes.
"You shouldn't be inside on a day like this," he said, an odd smile on his face.
"W-We… we were–" started Draco, his mind suddenly going blank as his former godfather's eyes flickered to his, apparent dislike within their depths.
"Yes, Mr. Granger?" he asked, arching an eyebrow.
When Draco said nothing, Snape looked back at Harry, a glint in his eyes.
"You want to be more careful. Hanging around like this, people will think you're… up to something. And Gryffindor really can't afford to lose any more points, now can it?"
They all grimaced as Snape gave them a knowing smirk before turning around – his black robes billowing impressively behind him – and walking away.
"Alright," whispered Harry, a determined gleam in his emerald eyes as he tugged Draco and Ron over to a corner. "Here's what we're going to do…"
Entrance Hall
Draco stood in a corner, scowling, as he watched Hermione from afar laugh at something Blaise said. Jealousy shot through him at that moment. She was so lucky. She got to converse with his friends – his best friends – and he was left trying to keep a sane mind while cavorting with Potter and the Weasel.
It was so unfair.
He stared at her, waiting for her to notice him. Sure enough, she frowned slightly as Blaise turned to speak to Pansy before scanning the crowd. She obviously knew she was being watched. When she finally caught sight of him, her eyes widened and after a moment, she gave him a subtle nod.
Draco watched as she turned and said something to Blaise before waving and heading off in his direction. As soon as she was close enough, he grabbed her cloak and pulled her, once again, into the nearest alcove.
"Merlin, Draco," she huffed, her brown eyes flashing angrily, "Do you mind–"
"We're going down tonight," he whispered, cutting her off. He wasn't in the mood for one of her idiotic lectures about the rudeness of 'man-handling' and the meaning of 'personal bubbles'. He couldn't care less.
"Through the trap door?" she breathed, her eyes widening as she caught on quickly and dropped her lecture, "Right now? Where–"
"They're waiting for me. I told them I'd meet them on the third floor corridor right in front of the door after I take a quick trip to the loo. I just needed to come and talk to you about it for a brief refresher."
"Okay, firstly," she started, her tone becoming brisk as she spoke quickly, "There's Fluffy. When I went under the door back in our first year, Harry played the flute he got from Hagrid to prevent the three-headed dog from waking up. He probably already knows to blow into it, so just make sure he continues to do so otherwise the dog'll awaken. You have to make sure that doesn't happen, Draco. Secondly, after going through the trap door, you're going to fall into a bunch of Devil's Snare. Tell them to stop struggling, especially Ron. When he doesn't listen to you – because I know he won't," she added, rolling her eyes, "– use the spell for bluebell flames on the vines and you'll be fine. Then, we have the broomstick and the key. I told you about that already, so we don't need to go over that. Next, we have the chess match – Ron'll win that one, so just do what he says. The second-to-last room will just have a dead troll in it, so no need to worry, and then, we have the potions room…" she trailed off, thinking hard. "If memory serves, you have to drink the rounded bottle on the right of the line to go back – only one of you can proceed to confront Quirrel – and Harry'll have to drink the smallest bottle there is. And that's it. Now go! Don't keep them waiting!"
Hermione practically shoved him out of the alcove, causing him to stumble before righting himself. When he looked back at her incredulously, she just waved her hand.
"Do you mind?" he hissed, staring at her angrily.
"Go on! You'll be fine… I… I have complete faith in you, Draco," she gave him a small, tentative smile, "I've told you everything, we've gone over it multiple times. It's quite simple really–"
"OF COURSE IT'S BLOODY SIMPLE!" he snapped, "You've already fucking done it before!"
Granger just rolled her eyes irritably before crossing her arms over her chest.
"Oh have some faith in yourself, will you? If I believe in you, then shouldn't you believe in you?"
"It's hard to do that when most everyone thinks you're a bloody failure!" he snarled bitterly.
"Draco," she sighed, walking toward him, "I don't think you're a failure. Despite your idiotic tendencies and barbaric behavior, I think you're actually quite tolerable," she ended wryly.
"Ha ha," he replied, trying to straighten his robes, "You think you're so hilarious."
"No," she clipped, "you think you're hilarious. Now get a move on before I have to march you over there myself. Could you imagine how embarrassing that would be?"
"Right," he muttered before walking away.
Pausing right before rounding the corner, he turned around to see the blonde hugging herself and looking away, deep in thought.
He rolled his eyes.
"Hey," he called out, "Stop bloody worrying."
Granger's eyes flickered to his in surprise before she grimaced.
"Easier said than done, don't you think? Just… please come back in one piece. If something happened to any of you…" she shook her head and took in a deep breath, "I'd hate myself."
"I know you would," he responded before turning around, "and the only person that's allowed to hate you is me, Granger."
"Does that mean you'll try your hardest?" she called out, anxiety coloring her voice.
"Unfortunately," he muttered under his breath before making his way back to Harry and Ron.
Sadly, it was time to pay Fluffy a visit.
Slytherin Common Room
Hermione couldn't sleep. It was an impossible task at this point. All she could think about was whether Draco, Harry, and Ron were still alive and well. Like she told Draco before, if anything happened to either of them, she'd hate herself. She was Harry and Ron's friend – their best friend – and she'd be damned if she let them take care of themselves. They would fail miserably, anyway. She'd always been like a mother hen to them, and despite the fact that they held no amiable feelings towards her at this point, she wasn't going to just stop. She still had faith that they would come to like her later on – they just needed to get to know her. And, until then, she'd look out for them in any way possible through Draco.
Hermione sighed loudly before putting her head in her hands. This waiting game was hell.
I wish I had some Sleeping Draught!
A sudden idea struck her.
Maybe I could just spell myself to sleep…
She sat straight up and grabbed her wand. The blonde had never performed a spell like this on herself and wondered if it would actually work.
There's only one way to find out…
She pointed the wand at her forehead before tilting her body to make sure that if it did work, she'd fall asleep on the couch and not the floor.
Hermione had barely muttered the charm when everything went dark. The last thing she registered was her wand falling from her hand and clattering on the stone floor as her head hit the cushions.
06/05/1992
Hermione jolted awake and looked around, her eyes wide and frantic.
What time is it?!
Judging by the light emanating from the water of the Black Lake, she assumed it was time for breakfast. But, more importantly, it was time to find out whether Harry, Ron, and Draco had made it alright. Not bothering to do much other than brush her teeth, splash water on her face, and feel immense satisfaction at the fact that she successfully charmed herself to sleep last night, she ran out of the Slytherin Common Room and to the Great Hall.
Entrance Hall
Draco, exhausted, was waiting just outside of the Great Hall and was very surprised. He'd been expecting Hermione to come rushing to him for the past ten minutes and was now thoroughly shocked that she was late. The brunet suspected she would be the first person up this morning in her haste to come and ask him questions and ensure Potter and Weasel were alright.
Sighing, he decided it was time to go in. Although Granger's disappearance was slightly troubling, that didn't mean he was going to go to classes on an empty stomach. Draco was absolutely starved.
About to enter the hall, he paused at the sound of footsteps. Turning around, he reckoned it was Ron – the bloody red-head had been snoring soundly this morning, and Draco had been unable to wake the idiot up. After screaming in his ear, he left the boys' dormitories. If Weasel wanted to skip breakfast, it wasn't about to be his problem.
The last thing the brunet heard was a feminine gasp before he was bombarded by a familiar, petite blonde.
"DRACO!" Hermione yelled in his ear as she threw her hands around his neck. He cringed. The throbbing in his head was now reminiscent of the hangovers he used to get back in sixth year. "MERLIN, YOU DID IT! YOU'RE ALRIGHT!"
Trying to relax seemed to be an impossible task seeing as fucking Hermione Granger was hugging him. He was being hugged by Hermione Granger. He felt the need to pinch himself to make sure this wasn't a nightmare.
"Are… are you hugging me?" he choked out, his eyes wide and his posture rigid.
What the hell was he supposed to do? Hug her back? That thought seemed extremely unappealing seeing as he'd never hugged anyone other than his mother.
She suddenly flew out of his arms, her face red.
"I… um…"
The awkwardness of the situation was tangible, and Draco felt as though he was slowly asphyxiating.
"We can pretend this didn't happen," he said quickly, looking down and fixing his robes to avoid her eyes.
After a few moments of silence, she finally responded.
"Right," she said, her voice sounding strange, "I'll catch you, er, later? Ron must be sleeping and I'm guessing Harry is in the Hospital Wing. I…" she trailed off, and he looked up, catching her brown eyes hesitantly. She looked away immediately.
"I have to... go," Hermione grimaced, blushing. She practically sprinted into the Great Hall.
Draco was frozen. Unable to move a muscle, for he was so shocked, he just stared at the spot where she'd last been, wondering what in the bloody hell just happened.
Platform 9¾ – 06/20/1992
Hermione got off the train with Blaise right on her heels. They were finally back – summer break had officially started and she would have time to dwell on the horcruxes without worrying about Draco, Harry, Ron, or her grades. It was a great feeling.
"I found them," whispered Blaise, grabbing Hermione and pulling her over to the side.
"Where?" she asked anxiously, her eyes darting around the platform as she searched for Antonia and her new husband.
He pointed them out, and Hermione studied the two. They seemed to be in some sort of fight.
"I'm sorry you have to go through this, Blaise," she murmured, turning to look at her friend sadly.
His eyes were glued to the two with a mixture of anger and sadness.
"Yeah, well… I'll see you around, Hermione. Make sure you write me."
Before the blonde knew what she was doing, her arms were around Blaise as she gave him a tight hug. It seemed she was going around and hugging Slytherins a lot more now. She flushed a bit at the memory of her hug with Draco before shoving it from her mind.
"It'll be fine. I'm sure you'll like him," she said into Blaise's cloak.
He stiffened for a moment before his arms wrapped around her as well.
"Fat chance," he muttered.
Although she couldn't see his face, she could practically hear his scowl.
"Besides," Hermione continued, giving him a small smile as she pulled back, "if you can't take it, there's always room for you in Malfoy Manor. You know how much my father and mother love you. It would be no problem at all."
He smirked.
"Why? You already miss me?"
Hermione rolled her eyes before hitting him lightly on the arm and trying hard to stop herself from smiling.
"Merlin, you boys are all the same – egotistical prats."
"I might miss you too… I'm still debating it..."
She really hit him then.
"Okay, okay! Sheesh," Blaise grinned cheekily as he rubbed his injured arm, "Don't worry, you'll see me a lot. No need to get so worked up."
"Gods, you are such an arse," she muttered, "Go greet your mother, will you? I'll see you later."
"Bye, Hermione," he paused, giving her a soft smile – which she returned – before turning around and heading toward his mother and step-father.
Looking around, she finally caught sight of the Malfoys and grinned before walking over to them quickly.
Narcissa was the first to hug her, and Hermione returned it eagerly.
"Hermione," she breathed, pulling back and smiling, "Ready to go home?"
The blonde nodded tentatively, flashing Narcissa a small smile, before giving Oberon a quick hug and then Lucius, who praised her on placing at the top of her classes this year.
"What would you like to celebrate?" he asked her, pride flashing in his eyes after they Apparated to the manor, "Name it and it's yours. Horses? A trip to–"
"Nothing, really. I'm fine, Father. I'm just glad you're happy," she cut in quickly, a little alarmed at his penchant for spoiling her.
He smirked down at her, his grey eyes flashing.
"No matter, I know just what to get you…"
Hermione tried hard to smile and hoped to Merlin it didn't come out like a grimace. If that didn't sound ominous, she didn't know what did.
When they finally entered the manor, Lucius summoned a house-elf before leading them out onto the grounds.
"Father?" she asked as she surveyed the beautiful, rolling hills of Wiltshire suspiciously, "May I ask what we're doing?"
"Well," he started, shrugging off his outer cloak and throwing it brusquely into the hands of a house-elf. Hermione bit her tongue to stop herself from preaching about house-elf rights. "I thought it was time to brush up on a few skills before your second year starts. Let's just say I'm giving the Slytherin House a certain… gift."
Hermione had a bad feeling about this. A very bad feeling. The negative emotions building up inside her only strengthened when one of the elves popped back with three brooms in hand.
The blonde swallowed hard.
"What are you saying, Father?" she hedged, eyeing the brooms with a mixture of fear and trepidation.
Lucius smirked as he handed one of the brooms to Oberon, who was grinning madly, and the other to Hermione, who was starting to feel slightly nauseated.
"Since I'm gifting the Slytherin team a whole set of these for your perfect grades, I thought it would be… prudent of you to overcome your fear of flying," he said silkily, a double meaning to his words.
Hermione's eyes widened comically when she finally understood what Lucius meant.
He was forcing her to play in Slytherin this year… she was going to be their new Seeker.
-xxx-
~ End of Year 1 ~
-xxx-
A big thanks to: midnight shadow of darkness, Ilandere Okami, Krista12, Oth23, Somnus Verus, SlytherinGurrl, Tisha24, princesspay10, BrightestWitchOfHerAge16, LittleMissHugALot, ThornsXRoses, The Last Poison Apple, shrishti .1701. Just to let all of you lovely readers know, I'll try my hardest to update every weekend. So, if all goes well, expect Ch. 10 in a week :) I know some of you may have wanted me to add the scene with Draco, Harry, and Ron going into the trap door, but I thought it would be a bit repetitive since everything goes well and is basically the same as the book - the only exception being that things go along faster since Draco knows what to expect. I'm sorry to those of you who wanted to read it! On the upside, this is a longer chapter and we get more from Draco's POV :)
Question: How do you think Hermione is going to solve the problem of Riddle's Diary this coming year?
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