*disclaimer NO I DON'T OWN HP YA HEAR?!
PS: Sorry if Hermy and Drakie are a little outta character, you've got to remember that they've just transformed from being the opposite gender and therefore still pretty carefree since no one knew who they were.
Chapter 9
Draco
I hated the world we lived in at that moment. The fact that I was a Death Eater, the fact that she was a muggle born, the fact that we were in the two houses that hated each other. Just like Romeo and Juliet, I thought to myself ruefully. We both had friends who would be appalled if we got together (gulp), our parents would be at each others throats (no doubt) and we were likely to end up dead if Yaxley heard about it. Pansy, Blaise and Goyle would all estrange me, and I'd have to sever ties with goodness knows how many people. In fact, just the thought of all the hatred we'd receive chilled my conscience and nauseated me. I'd definitely be beaten up by one of the Slytherins, and all of the year groups would look down on me like I was scum. I cringed at the thought and hoped dearly that that would never be the case. Sure, most Slytherins were evil, or at least a little messed up but there were one or two bearable ones. But those were the kids you ridiculed before the war, my head reminded.
Half bloods. Glasses wearers. Book worms. All of those Slytherins, I tortured with my cruel words and hateful remarks. But they were the ones that might talk to me if this were to happen. If...Granger and I...were to happen...
I pressed my head into my hands and let my frustration leave in the form of tears. I cursed myself silently for crying like a weakling, but deep down I couldn't care less. To hell with pride, the one person that had fallen in love with me was the one person I couldn't be with.
I suddenly felt weary, and I clutched my stomach as a sickening bile crept up my throat. Swallowing jerkily, I leant backwards and fell into a disturbed sleep the moment my head hit the pillow. And so I slept.
Hermione
I sat in my alcove breathing heavily and going over the transformation in my head. He's back; old Malfoy is back. Harry. What would Harry do when he found out? And would Ginny really be ok with the fact that her best friend was in l-love with an Ex Death Eater? I shuddered, and my throat tightened. It just had to be us. The two most opposite people in the school, hit by a strange spell and mutated beyond recognition.
It was then that I cried. Cried for our lost relationship, and for him. Draco. His mutilated and maimed personality, his broken home and family; his ignorance of love. I knew, in that moment, that I would never be able to change that. A scar as deep as that one would take a lifetime to heal, and Draco-... Should I call him that? Isn't it a tad rude?
Girl, you're in love with him. Just go with the flow.
So I did.
I stood at the oak doors to the hospital wing. My heart was leading me, and I was unsure. It had always been my mind that led me in the past. Slowly, I placed my hand on the knob. Slowly, I turned its brass coated handle. Slowly, I stepped inside.
A tall, lank boy was lying asleep in bed. He was extremely pale, with sharply defined features and delicate skin. His blonde lashes were long and thin, and his ethereal silver locks were drawn back, the bangs covering his forehead and brows.
I walked up to Draco's side, and reached out. Tentatively, I took his hand. His body jerked, and I nearly recoiled but he soon relaxed, relieving me of worry. I sighed, and squeezed his hand. The curtains were drawn, so I had nothing much to worry about. Yeah, right, chided my brain. And I agreed with it.
I sat with him, just thinking. And the thinking led me to a solution.
Grinning to myself, I grabbed a near by piece of parchment and scribbled down a message. I read it over twice, then placed it on his bedside table. Smiling, I skipped away much to the surprise of everyone else.
Draco
As soon as she left, I jumped up into a sitting position and grabbed her note. She'd sat by me for so long that I'd begun to wonder if she'd ever leave. Fumbling, I unfolded it and began to read the message:
From despair and injury I was shown to you;
Lots of time there was spent with you;
An orange 'knight' was defeated there with you;
There is where I wish to meet you.
Granger, I thought to myself, always talking in riddles.
It was time to make a visit to our place.
I ran past a load of tapestries, and smiled as I realised that I was getting closer. I ran up the steps, and slid past the curtain. A bobbing brown head of hair turned around and chocolate orbs met mine. My throat caught, and my heart beat sped up. I looked at her properly in what seemed like forever. She'd definitely grown up since first year, that was for sure. She looked good. Though, her hair was still the frizzy catastrophe that it'd always been. I gulped as I realised just what I was risking for our relationship. My family. My friends. My reputation. And I couldn't say that that didn't matter, because it did. I wasn't some Gryffindor fool who rushed headlong into the front lines of a battle, I was the spy working on both sides for my own gain; the strategist of the playing fields. But I was willing to try and make this relationship work. Not because I wanted to hurt her, but because she was the one girl I had ever truly loved.
I remembered the first time I'd ever seen her, and our secret exchange one quiet evening...
A young girl with buck teeth and a ferocious grin walked into the entrance hall of Hogwarts. I was standing with the boys my father had dubbed as friends for me, and was making fun of all the muggle borns. "Who's that?" I asked to a boy with sandy hair. He looked at me with a perceptive gaze, and thought for a few seconds. Then realisation hit his face, and he turned to his dark-skinned friend. "Dean, is that the girl you mentioned earlier?" His mate smiled and chuckled, saying,
"If by girl you mean Hermione Granger, then yes. The one with frizzy hair, right?" I'd nodded with interest at this exchange, and was thinking to myself. I wonder what her blood status is. She'd make a wonderful Pureblood...
Later in lessons, she astounded me with her prior knowledge of seemingly everything, and my infatuation grew. I followed her shortly after dinner, making sure no one from Slytherin had seen me. I was gutted that she was in Gryffindor, and a friend of that Potter boy to boot. Though, he hadn't seemed very welcoming of her, ditto to the Weasel. I finally caught up with her, and her curious chocolate eyes made my breath hitch. I cocked a smirk, and asked her breathlessly, "So, are your parents muggles or are you a Pureblood? Or somewhere in between?" She frowned at me, then muttered, "Of course. You must be Draco Malfoy. I've heard a lot about you. Well, I'm a muggle born and proud of it, so don't you dare make a comment about my parentage because I think I've proven that I can beat you in any subject already." I was shocked beyond speaking, and made a vow to never think of her in the same way again. Snarling in contempt, I left her.
Except here I was, breaking that seven year vow.
"Hello, D...Draco." I was surprised that she used my name, and cursed my body for going all shivery and tingly. "Hi Hermione." She bit her lips, and grinned at me before cautiously hugging me. I tensed, then soon relaxed into her embrace. "You're not used to this," she guessed, her voice muffled as her face was pressed into my chest.
"No," I admitted, pressing my lips into a thin line. "Malfoy's are supposed to have an unbreakable exterior, but I guess you've pretty much obliterated that." She laughed and poked me in the stomach. I raised an eyebrow and cracked a smile as she giggled some more. "What was that for?" I asked, pouting my lips.
"I'm just glad you're still you and I'm still me." That comment caught me off guard. Which was saying something.
"What do you mean?" She traced a circle on the stone wall and mumbled, "I was afraid you'd become cold and horrible again like before."
"Was I really that bad?" I asked, suddenly worried. Sure, I had bullied her...loads...and called her names...derogatory ones...and shot spells at her friends...and her...
DANGNABBIT DRACO WHY DID YOU HAVE TO MESS YOUR LIFE UP LIKE THIS?! My irritating voice screamed. I sighed at it, and threw a mental snowball at it. Shaddup.
I looked at her properly, then. She'd definitely grown up a lot, though the frizzy mass of hair was still there. We'd both matured, physically (A/N: LOL) and mentally. The war had carved cruel scars deep into our bodies, and there was a very low chance that we'd ever fully recover from them. I smiled a small smile to myself, but she saw it. "I..." She was trying to speak, but no sound came out. I took a seat and let out a deep breath that I'd subconsciously been holding. All of my worries had grown tenfold now that I had Grang-Hermione (?) as a...wait.
I hadn't asked her out yet. Cr*p.
"Hermione?" Her head shot up, and she looked at me almost hopefully.
"Yes, ...Draco?" I tried to suppress the tingly sensation that rippled down my spine, but to no avail. I flushed and took out my wand. Sighing, I gazed at her, trying not to scare her, and said, "I know this is going to be difficult for both of us, and our friends will definitely object when we tell them, but since we're already...
Already...
Already..." I covered my face with my hands and nearly punched myself. Just say it, you lout!
"In l-love?" Hermione supplied, shocking me with her forwardness. I grinned at her and smirked straight after, and she blushed crimson. I muttered the spell, and watched as green shoots spewed out of my wand. "Will you go out with me?"
A rose fell into her lap.
Hermione
Draco Malfoy, a romantic. Who would've guessed? I nearly cried when the rose plopped onto my knees. He was asking me to date him.
"Of course, ferret, of course!" He scowled at me, and turned his head the other way. Pouting, he mumbled, "Don't call me ferret. I hate that name." I immediately felt bad. That is, until he tackled me with his wand and murmured, "Titillandus!". I fell about laughing, begging him to stop the torture of the tickling spell. he, too giggled as I writhed about on the floor, laughing and laughing. Finally, he stopped the spell and I collapsed, panting and letting out the occasional guffaw. Smiling, he helped me up and we returned to our dorm rooms.
On our way back, we came across Dean and Seamus sitting together in an abandoned window. Seamus had leant his head on dean's shoulder and was fast asleep, but Dean clearly wasn't according to the massive blush illuminating his face. I laughed quietly and pointed them out to Draco, who grinned wickedly and took out his wand once again. "Serimul." Dean jerked his head up, then gasped in horror as he realised that he couldn't move.
By this time, I had cottoned on to what Draco was trying to do. And it's about time someone took action!
Sniggering slightly, I took out an old camera and snapped a photo. This was definitely a keeper.
Laughing, we dashed away, deaf to Dean's growing confusion and yells of embarrassment.
"Draco, let's talk." He looked at me in confusion, and I smiled to see this side of him. It was nice to see his raw emotions coming to the surface instead of the hard, cold exterior I was used to seeing. I closed my eyes and rubbed them slightly. I must remember to go to the optician's some time soon...I think mum knew a man who could give us a discount... Mum and dad don't want me to solve this with magic, and glasses would be nice-
My thoughts were stopped abruptly as draco lifted his hand to rest on my cheeks. I stared at him defiantly, then dropped my pathetic attempt at a cover up and flushed. he smiled crookedly - oh Merlin - and kissed my cheek. I nearly recoiled from the shock. Again, he smiled his rare smile. I'd only ever seen this smile once...
I was just leaving the Great Hall when a pair of frantic footsteps grew closer. I twirled around, and my eyes met silver ones. "So, are your parents muggles or are you a Pureblood? Or somewhere in between?" I frowned at him. Ah. Draco Malfoy. I overheard Ron talking about him earlier. "Of course. You must be Draco Malfoy. I've heard a lot about you. Well, I'm a muggle born and proud of it, so don't you dare make a comment about my parentage because I think I've proven that I can beat you in any subject already." With that, I walked away. What Malfoy hadn't known was that I'd been blushing. His smile... It had been so genuine in that moment.
Before I knew what I was doing, I'd blurted: "I love your smile." Slapping my hands to my mouth, I turned away to avoid his gaze. Why. Did. I. Say. That?! "Sor-"
"Thanks." I gawped at him. He blushed sheepishly and tried not to look at my gaping mouth. "You-you... Are Malfoy's even supposed to thank people?" He scowled in good nature at me, then returned to his somber face. "Hermione...there's something I've been meaning to tell you." I waited for him to continue, but whatever he was trying to say wasn't coming out.
I sat next to him and waited patiently. His eyes were wide and I'd noticed that he'd started to perspire. Meaningfully, I took his hand and he gasped quietly, before relaxing slightly and letting me hold it. Absent mindedly, I rubbed circles on his palm, and he squeezed my hand a bit. "I...I'm a metamorphmagus." I stared at him in surprise, before grinning. Now I can trust him with my secret too! "Oh man, if you think that's bad, then check out what I can do!" His eyes widened in definite surprise at my reaction. Bet he didn't see that one coming... My brain giggled. I smirked,then faced him. Concentrating hard, I focused my magic. Feet lifting off the ground, I dared to peek at him. By the time I'd balanced my flying, he was utterly speechless. I managed a little forwards roll in the air before setting myself back down on the ground.
"C-c...c-c-can f-f-fly? You can fly?!" I nodded eagerly at his response and smiled smugly at his gobsmacked face. "Yeesh. And here I was, thinking that I'd be special."
"You are, silly!" He chuckled as I pulled him up. "So, what can YOU do?" He smiled sardonically and suddenly I became afraid. "D-Don't do anything rash-" I managed, before he morphed into a tiger. "AAAAAAAHHHH!" Quickly, he changed back and peeked out the curtains. Luckily, I'd cast muffliato on our rooms earlier in the year ("To keep out unwanted...visitors." Namely, young girls/boys who were trying to prank the Head girl/boy) so we were safe. For now. "Okay...change your hair colour!" I watched in childish excitement as he squeezed his eyes shut whilst his hair flashed and settled on a baby blue. "Wow...that colour is nice on you..." He blushed slightly at my comment and I became embarrassed. "Sorry...was that too forward?"
"My, my, Granger how we've changed!" I stared at him in indignation.
"So it's back to 'Granger', now, is it?"
"No, No!" He cried, mortified by his blunder. I laughed and told him that it was perfectly alright. "But on a more serious note, what are we going to do about our relationship outside of the dorm?" He furrowed his brow in thought, and I sat thinking.
"How about we seemingly get closer, but at a slower pace than inside the rooms? And keep the insults to a bare minimum?" I laughed and sniggered:
"Witty retorts it is, then!"
"Hey!"
Draco
Dinner time finally arrived, after a reprimanding from Professor Flitwick about missing charms. Gasps of shock and relief echoed down the Hall as we strode in. Obviously, I let Hermione go first and waited a few minutes before following suit. When I seated myself next to Blaise, a girl in Sixth year sighed and winked saucily at me. Inwardly, I rolled my eyes. What a pathetic attempt at flirting!
Eyeing the Gryffindor table, I could see that Hermione was sitting faithfully next to Weaslette, and many of the Gryffindors were leaning over to talk to her. Longbottom was there, gesticulating wildly. He seemed to remember the odd scene in the hospital wing, then. Hermione had gone bright red and was whispering something into Longbottom's ear. He, too, turned an unbecoming shade of rouge.
She must have told him about our...predicament. Longbottom's eyes met mine and he gave me a confused glare, to which I smirked gleefully at. He had no idea what was going on, and I was loving it! Blaise, meanwhile, was smiling the smuggest smile that I'd ever seen. "What?" I hissed, narrowing my eyes. Whenever he got that look, it meant that trouble was looming. What he said next confirmed my suspicions. "You asked her out, didn't you?" I raised and eyebrow, and smirked again.
"Guessed, did you?"
"Sure did. You're being rather obvious." I chocked on my pumpkin juice.
"No I'm not!" It was Blaise's turn to raise an eyebrow.
"Granger's a mublood who doesn't deserve to live." In a trice, I'd wrapped my arm around his neck and he was gasping for air. "Let...go...I...was...joking!" Angrily, I released him. "Some joke that was, Zabini! Don't let me hear you ever sa-...oh. Ohhh." Because I'd just realised what Blaise had proven. Pink tinted my cheeks as I dropped my attack stance. I'd drawn a number of pairs of eyes, all of them inquisitive and sneering at me in glee. Shoot.
"Well, at least they didn't hear what I had to say." I cursed Zabini mentally and began to eat.
"As many of you have already noticed, Miss Granger and Mister Malfoy have been...recovered, for want of a better word." I was sure that McGonagall winked at him. "However, I must sadly announce that, due to some Ministry issues, Miss Draksha Mathers and Mister Hermus Grant have returned to their respective schools and will not be returning." Disappointed murmurs from both sides of the gender wheel could be heard throughout the Hall. I even heard one boy mutter: "Damn, she was so HOT, though." I had a temporary coughing fit, and glared in the direction of the unfortunate male. He looked at me disdainfully and recoiled in shock at the force of my death stare. Mumbling to his friend, he shifted down the table by a few seats, and continued to eat his dinner in a flustered silence. Satisfied, I drank my drink indignantly.
"Finally, I have one more surprising announcement that I'm sure all of you will love," McGonagall stated, eyeing several students seemingly at once. "We have two transfer students arriving today. They should be here any moment. One comes from Durmstrang, a school I'm sure you're all familiar with. For those who do not know, Victor Krum came to compete in the triwizard tournament and he came from Durmstrang. The other comes from the Brazilian wizarding school Castelobruxo, though the student himself is Spanish. It is a highly accomplished wizarding school, as is Durmstrang, and I hope you welcome both students. Their reasons for coming are to remain private, and I hope that none of you will have the audacity to pry," she said dryly, sending an accusatory glance towards the Slytherins. All she received back were looks of innocence which she probably took with a pinch of salt.
Innocent, my foot, I'll bet that's what she's thinking right now...
McGonagall
Innocent, my foot, I thought savagely as I glanced towards the Slytherin tables. "Both students will enter at Seventh year, and are to be treated with the respect I expect from all of our students here at Hogwarts. Durmstrang's transfer is called Titus Shore and Castelobruxo's is called Marcelo Luca." Once I had finished, I sat back down and continued my conversation with Professor Flitwick about two very naughty Heads.
Draco
I waited in anticipation for the huge doors to be opened, and open they did. Slamming either side, they revealed a massive yellow...carpet?
I was so shocked, my MIND didn't even have words. Which was saying a lot, for me. The yellow monstrosity floated down to the ground and a boy with tanned skin leapt off it. And when I say leapt, I mean LEAPT. He practically flew (A/N: enter Hermione[kidding]), and his landing was so graceful that it was nearly as good as mine. Not quite. I stared at him.
His clothes were, to put it quite simply, a catastrophe. Orange pantaloons (or whatever they were) adorned with yellow bobbles clashed horribly with his deep purple silk shirt. The sleeves had tacky green lace, and he was wearing blue sunglasses. To the right, I heard a gasp of delight coming from the Ravenclaw table, and I groaned realising that I'd just found Loony's soulmate. Oh Merlin, help us.
Luna jumped up and ran towards the new guy. Breathlessly, she introduced herself and he laughed. Taking her arm, he let himself be led back to the Ravenclaw table. Sissy, I thought to myself sniffing. Well, at least Loony's happy. McGonagall stood up and stammered: "Miss Lovegood, could you show him around later, please?" Loony nodded enthusiastically and carried on her animated conversation with Luca. I snorted about the ridiculousness of the situation, and rolled my eyes. Next to me, Blaise was trying not to explode with laughter by stuffing his mouth with sausages. In fact, he looked so reminiscent of the Sleazy Weasel that I moved closer to him and murmured: "Don't turn into the Weasel. It's rather unbecoming." Blaise nearly choked and I spent the next few minutes thumping him not-so-discreetly on the back.
Once again, the doors flew open but the thing it revealed was the complete opposite of before. A purple tiger of sorts leapt into the room, and its claws skidded across the stone floor. The boy that stepped off its monstrous back was adorned with white furs and skins of animals I couldn't even begin to identify. His hair was raven black, and he had bags under his eyes. He glared at everyone, and his walk was defined yet closed up. He held himself like he was better than anybody else, and I bristled at his look of pitiful recognition. "Malfoy. Pleased to make your acquaintance." I nodded at him and we shook hands. He sat next to me and regarded the food with an air of contempt. I could already tell that this boy spelt trouble. "Pass the salt, Malfoy."
"Get it yourself, Shore." He looked at me in shock. yes, I DO dare to defy you!
Salty little wanker.
"As you please," he said stiffly, before reaching for the shaker. Pulling it towards him, I heard him mutter, and I gasped in surprise as the entire canister emptied over my meal. Glaring at him, I turned my back and started up a conversation with Blaise. I was the Prince of Slytherin. No one. Would defy. Me. McGonagall resumed her position at the podium, and addressed the school. "Welcome, Misters Luca and Shore. Please remain seated at your chosen tables until the sorting begins." The sorting hat was brought up onto the raised platform and McGonagall took ahold of it. "Luca, Marcelo." The terrible dresser flounced up to the stage and leapt up. Again. He plunked himself down on the stool, and waited in excitement as the hat was pushed down onto his head.
Marcelo
This school es muy intereassante! I wait impatiently for the...Sorting Hat, was it? To choose my house for me. Suddenly, a voice echoed through my head. "Caramba!" I yelled, much to my embarrassment and the school's glee.
"What do we have here...a Spaniard?"
"Si, señor." I heard the hat's rumbling laughter, before it continued.
"You are a very bright boy...mighty intellectual...eccentric to the core...kind as well...no doubt about your bravery...cunning? Definitively. Without a doubt, though, I shall put you into..."
"RAVENCLAW!" I grinned as the hat was removed and I returned to the beautiful chica who had taken my arm. A ver...there was una señorita bonita on that wonderful crimson table, as well...
Hermione
I laughed as the strange boy was sorted into Ravenclaw. Luna looked ecstatic, and sent me a dazed smile as Marcelo sprinted towards her. He picked her up in his arms and whirled her around, much to the surprise and mild annoyance of the surrounding Ravenclaw who's heads were promptly shoved into their meals. Ah well, it's all in good heart. Though he does seem quite forward. Wonder why he wasn't sorted into Gryffindor...
I waited as Titus walked up to the stage. Glancing at Draco, I was shocked to see a grimace on his face. He felt my enquiringly stared and furrowed his brow, mouthing "He's nasty." I shook my head, smiled and carried on looking at the podium.
Draco
Hermione, shaking your head and smiling when there's an even meaner guy than me about ten metres away from you is unacceptable behaviour.
Titus
Shocking. The Malfoy boy is too obnoxious for my presence, but he may prove a faithful ally. I have heard a great many good things about him from my father. We appear to differ on one thing only. He seems to enjoy the presence of that mud blood girl from the despicable house of Gryffindor, and I despise mud bloods. They have no integrity (A/N: aww man his butt is gonna get kicked on that one next chapter) and they fraternise with any respectable wizard just to gain attention and move up on the society ladder. The fact that that one is a woman just makes her even more lowly. How Hogwarts can let that filth reside here is beyond me, but I suppose Durmstrang is at fault too then. I just thought that an English school would have stuck with the Pureblood traditions, but no. Shame.
I stepped up onto the ancient platform and regarded the room with my cold, regal gaze. I was so proud of it. I'd spent years perfecting it. Keeping my face carefully blank, I moved to sit down as the elderly witch read out my name. "Shore, Titus." Again, I heard the ripple of whispers that my name caused. Shore was the most powerful name within the whole of Scandinavia. I hold people in fear here. I hold people in power back home. No one can beat me.
Inside my head, I was smirking but on the outside, I'd adopted my favourite emotionless look. When hat was hovering above my head, it screamed "SLYTHERIN!" And I returned to my table, a cold smile gracing my features. This was going to be a fun year.
McGonagall
I sat in my office, re-reading two students' files.
What have I taken on? A torturer and a poison pen? Yes, I think so.
For what stared straight back at me were the sentences:
Marcelo Luca:
Gender: Male
Previous offence(s): The deterioration of Amelie Willis's mental health through poison pen (anonymous messages containing negative content), discovered June 8 th 1997.
Punishment(s): 8.6.1997 - expelled from Castelobruxo on the evidence of poison pen.
Titus Shore:
Gender: Male
Previous Offence(s): The possibility of use of dark magic during the Dark Lord's reign. Witness had memory obliviated, discovered May 5 th 1997
Punishment(s): 5.5.1997 - Expelled from Durmstrang on the possibility of use of dark magic.
I sighed and put the papers safely away in the bottom drawer of my desk. I'd have to keep a very close eye on those two. I wasn't about to let my students get hurt after what had happened in the war...
A/N: Whew! What a chapter. I hope you enjoyed, and we'll explore more of those despicable personalities!
Pleeeaaassseeeeeee review if you are reading this! Thank you!
