Title
Among the Serpents
Chapter 9
By
Adrienne Black
Lunch period came and went and Hermione had spent the entire hour and a half in her room utterly disgusted and confused. At the end of the time, however, she had sincerely convinced herself that she had a momentary lapse in character (which happened a lot these days) and decided cut herself a break.
So with a relatively clear conscious Hermione was able to attend her last three classes: Transfiguration, Herbology and a new elective Alchemy. Alchemy had become, wands down, her favorite class she had ever taken, and she had taken quite a few, every class Hogwarts offered as of this year. That is of course, with the exception of Muggle Studies. She would have liked to very much without a doubt, but a Slytherin take Muggle Studies? She didn't have a death wish.
Almost every other 7th year in Hogwarts hadn't taken half the courses she had. They had adopted the typical 'seniority' mentality. Most of them spent their afternoons free of classes that were not mandatory and only 'wasted' their time with the homework that was. So Hermione's classes were more than not only filled with five, sometimes six students who were ever so surprised she was even there. In the beginning this had bothered her, but what had she expected? Everyone had suspected her of buying her way into the Head Girl position (many even thought she slept her way there) but didn't they realize that was virtually impossible? Hogwarts, and more importantly Dumbledore, had much more integrity for that even is she had wanted to--buy her way that is.
So once her evening classes were over, and it was time for supper in the Great Hall, Hermione had all but forgotten what had happened that afternoon. Draco, on the other hand, had not.
As soon as Hermione had entered the Great Hall Draco shoved Crabbe, who had been sitting next to him, aside to make room for his girlfriend. It wasn't that he was expecting her to have the attitude she had had at lunch (although he very much hoped for it), but instead he wanted an explanation.
He had talked to his mother when his Transfiguration lesson was over, profoundly confused at her behavior. His mother suggested he take a different course of action with her, not that he agreed with her, but she was a women. "Be more sensitive Draco, she must be having a hard time." He had asked what type of 'hard time' she could possibly be having. I mean really, she was rich, beautiful, popular, smart, and she had him. But his mother had talked herself into a circle and by the end of the conversation Draco knew no more than when they started, so he decided 'what could it hurt?' If only he knew.
She sat down next to him, composed as ever, kissed him on the cheek and started helping herself to some sweet potatoes and some pumpkin pie. If Zabini were here, no doubt he would have uttered something obnoxious about her irregular eating, but he wasn't here. In fact, Draco didn't know where he was. It was just as well, Draco wasn't in the mood to be taunted by his pathetic lack of control over his girlfriend.
Draco brought his hand to Hermione's back, rubbing it gently. "Are you feeling alright Hermione?" The words almost made him cringe. Sure he was sweet to her, but never in public, and never like this.
She smiled "Yes Draco, I'm wonderful." Her gaze flickered across the Hall, but were back on him before Draco knew what had happened.
"Well good, I was worried about you." The words were almost choking him.
"That's…sweet Draco." Her tone was suspicious, she was probably wondering why he was being such a pansy. In fact, he was wondering why he was such a pansy.
He couldn't do this.
"Well then, if your fine, what happened at lunch?" he replied through his teeth.
"Oh relax Draco, it was nothing, I just realized I had to do some homework."
"It's the day after Halloween, no one gave us homework."
"No one gave you homework Draco."
"Fine, if you want to lie, fine." Draco rose from the table, dropping his utensils so that they clanked loudly on his plate, and walked out of the Hall.
He wasn't going to put up with her secretive, vindictive bullshit anymore, or at least this is what he told himself. He was Draco Malfoy, he was sexy and rich and could have any girl he wanted in all of Hogwarts. Granted, Hermione was the only one worth his time, she posed a challenge to him. Well not anymore.
Before he knew it, he had arrived in the dank Slytherin common room, or more accurately, the Slytherin Dungeon. He marched to his and Blaise's room, thankful no one was around to see him. He opened the door Blaise and Lavender Brown rolling around under the covers. Draco slammed the door to get their attention. When Lavender looked up, Draco snapped his fingers and pointed to the door.
"You, out. Blaise, we need to talk."
Lavender, stark naked, grabbed up her clothes, not even wasting time to say a spell to put them on, and scurried out the door. Draco turned to watch her run down the stairs, he was a guy after all. When he turned back around he found Blaise, smirking cockily and slipping his some sweatpants on.
"Really, Blaise, a Gryffindor?" All her did was grin bigger.
"So what did you need?"
"I think I'm done with Hermione. I really do. You saw what happened this afternoon? You'd think that would warrant an explanation? Oh no, not from ever mysterious Hermione who never can be honest with me for one second. Not one second Blaise." He was furious, pacing back and forth across the room. If he had been still he might have seen Blaise's clever smirk.
"Mate, you sound like a broad. Calm down and leave the bitch." Draco flared up at his words.
"I'm not going to leave her, Blaise. I just want her to be considerate of my feelings."
"Did someone slip you some PMSing potion or something? Stop being a girl." Blaise slapped Draco's arm encouragingly. "Your Draco Malfoy, your rich, you could have any girl in Hogwarts, you don't need Granger."
Draco smirked, for he first time in a while. Maybe Blaise was right. Maybe he just need to give Hermione some of her own magic. He would just play hard to get, in a manner of speaking. He turned around with a shrug and headed to the bathroom.
By the next morning it was no secret that the famous Slytherin couple was treading a rocky road. A countless number of boys had therefore taken to following Hermione around. How pitiful. They had to know the separation wouldn't last long. But that thought either hadn't crossed anyone's mind or didn't matter because the next couple of days were filled with gallantry that seemed to make Harry's gag reflexes tickle.
At least thirteen guys (if not more) could be seen following Hermione around like puppies at any given time, but it didn't stop there. Her 'entourage' carried her books, opened doors for her, ironed her clothes, Ginny even saw some kid flicking his wand to create a golden carpet two feet ahead and behind wherever Hermione walked. It was getting to be ridiculous.
Draco certainly wasn't oblivious to any of this. He bubbled with rage every time he saw an arm that wasn't his around Hermione, and every day there was one less boy following her around.
But that isn't to say Draco didn't have his share of a ridiculous female fan club. One was entirely unable to see Draco walking down the corridors without a myriad of sluttish girls. Cool and composed, no one, not even Dumbledore would have suspected him to be the least bit remorseful of their little rough patch, but oh how wrong they were. Jealousy was virtually the only emotion Draco was partial to exposing. Every time, without fail, as Hermione and her entourage would pass Draco a cold glare would encompass his face, and he would slip his arms casually around whichever women were closest to him. Normally Hermione passed by, seemingly not caring, but it's remarkable how wrong simple observers are when concerning Hermione.
Ginny watched all this pass by as a simple spectator. It was always interesting to watch. But really, she wasn't getting to involved. It didn't really concern her. She had her Harry, finally. Or did she?
That Saturday morning Harry walked down from his dorm to find Hermione lounging on the couch. She was taking up about three quarters of the sofa, reading some witches tabloid. He jumped the last two steps of the stairs and plopped down on the last cushion by her feet more dramatically than was necessary.
"So, are you winning?"
She didn't even look up from her magazine.
"Whatever are you talking about, Potter?" she asked monotonously.
"Your little game with Malfoy, of course. Is he about to crack? Doesn't look it. I heard he's taken to a nice looking Ravenclaw lately.
Hermione just chuckled.
"Oh yeah, a Ravenclaw tart really threatens me. Oh Merlin, I hope she doesn't replace me, whatever will I do?" She laughed to herself, still never looking up from her article.
"Huh."
"And what intelligent point are you trying to get across with 'huh'?" Her head popped out from behind her tabloid, looking rather annoyed.
"I was just wondering what this whole fight is about anyway? A few days ago you seemed pretty alright."
"Well I'm glad you've been monitoring my relationship Potter, but it's really none of your business."
"Touchy subject eh?"
"Who are you, Mad Eye Moody? Why do you need to know? You know what, I'm done talking to you. I have to get ready for a date."
"A date?" Harry almost choked on his spit.
"Yes, Potter, it's what single people do, date." With that she walked upstairs and slammed her door shut.
-Damn- thought Hermione as the door shut behind her. She had lied through her teeth. Of course the Ravenclaw bothered her, and of course she wasn't going on a date. Even if she was, it was eleven o'clock in the morning, what prat would be getting ready for a date this early? She sighed.
Sighing seemed to be the only thing she'd been doing lately, but it never exactly made her feel better. What would make her feel better would be for this whole mess to straighten itself out. How many times between Wednesday and today had she wished she and Draco could have the relationship they had in third year? Unfortunately, wishes didn't always come true, and she was positive this one wouldn't.
Conjuring a cup of coffee, Hermione went out on the balcony. It was so peaceful out here. It was hands down her favorite place to think, and that was something she definitely needed to do. But, she never exactly got to do any thinking, because at the moment she stepped onto the balcony an owl swooped down, a letter clutched in its beak.
The parchment looked familiar, as did the handwriting addressing it. As soon as she recognized it she knew there would not be good news inside, there never was. She opened it, taking a good few minutes to read it, even though the contents was only a few lines. Hermione clenched her fists, crumpling the paper, and kicked the side of the balcony.
Blaise woke up late that Saturday morning, around eleven o'clock. He rolled out of bed, wearing only a pair of satin emerald boxer shorts, paying little attention to the female taking up half of his bed. He glanced over to Draco's bed, noting that Draco wasn't exactly sleeping alone either, he craned his neck to see who the girl was this time, but couldn't seem to distinguish who it was. All he could see was a pale arm and leg.
Blaise felt triumphant that. He had finally done it. He had finally gotten Granger out of the way. It had been two days since Draco had come into the dorm, furious and fed up, and there was no sign that either stubborn Slytherin was going to initiate a make up.
So what Draco was miserable? He was just rebounding, Blaise convinced himself, he would realize he was better off. It was just a matter of time.
After a quick shower Blaise was starving. He had missed breakfast, and wasn't in a hurry to miss lunch. So he returned to the dorm, eager to get dressed. He noticed Draco was doing the same. But while Blaise's one night stand was lingering in the bed, obviously waiting to see what last night 'meant' like girls often do, Draco's seemed to have fled at lightening speed.
"Morning, have a good night?" Blaise asked, smirking.
"Ah… yeah you know. S'okay."
"Yeah." Draco seemed to be uncomfortable, odd for the cool Slytherin. "Where she flee to?"
"Uhh, Dunno."
In the meantime Blaise's 'friend' had woken up and was now sitting with the comforter pulled up over her chest. She was embarrassed, to say the least, and not to mention getting more uncomfortable by the minute. She cleared her throat, attempting to get Blaise's attention.
He turned. "What?"
Her body moved backward, as if saying 'How dare he!" She looked annoyed, and sounded furious.
"Would you mind handing me my clothes?"
"Can't you walk?"
"Huh. Fine." She got up, a sheet wrapped around her, strode over to Blaise and shoved him. She glared at him, grabbed her clothes and waltzed out the door.
Blaise watched her leave, apparently unaware of what he had said to make her so upset. He shrugged, it's not as if he cared.
"I hope I get my sheet back, those are my favorite set." Draco just shrugged, he looked nervous.
"What's wrong with you mate?"
"Nothing."
"Whatever, can we go?"
The pair left their dorm, with the intention of going to the Great Hall for lunch. However, Draco never exactly got there, because as they descended the stairs leading into the common rooms Blaise encountered the last person in England that he wanted to.
There, in the statue hole stood Hermione Granger.
