I do not own Harry Potter or any other recognised characters, places etc. They all deservedly belong to J. K. Rowling.
- Chapter Ten -
"Right" Harry started, looking at all the faces of his peers looking intently at him "We all know why we're here. We're here because we can't let Umbridge win, we need to defend ourselves against dark magic and we need to pass our O.W.L.S. and in some cases N.E.W.T.S." Harry said, with a pointed look to the Weasley twins and Lee Jordan.
"The first thing I thought we could try is the Disarming Charm, its very basic but it's your bread and butter when it comes to defensive spells" he told them, gaining more confidence.
"Everyone get out their wands and copy me" he said, relieved when they all did as he asked. Holding up his right hand he started the motion from the top left and continued down into a sharp swirl. The group copied the movement. "Brilliant, this time - do the same and say 'Expelliarmus'" Again they all did as he said. "Excellent. This spell does just what it implies, it disarms your opponent however, doesn't cause much damage to the witch or wizard, unless that's your intention" he explained.
"If we can all pair up and practice the charm on each other"
Harry smiled as everyone did as he asked. Harry noticed Hermione and Draco paired, he was secretly happy about this. As much as he hated to admit it Harry knew they were on par with each other when it came to their abilities and could challenge each other more fully.
He looked towards Ron and swore he could see steam coming from his flaming red hair as he paired with Crabbe, the only other person without a partner. Harry figured that he was only there because Draco had ordered him to do so after what happened to Goyle, but demanded he not squeal to Umbridge.
Seeing everyone paired up he looked around, whilst dodging flying wands, to see which students would excel and which would need a little longer to master the charm.
Starting with Ron and Crabbe he watched as Crabbe had a hard time with the charm however, was pleasantly surprised to see he was really trying. Ron on the other hand was too distracted to do the charm to the best of his abilities, causing him to cast 'Expellimellius'.
Crabbe looked upon his sleeve in horror and yelled as the flames flew upwards, almost engulfing him as he waved his arm trying to rid himself of the garment.
"Aguamenti" he heard two voices at once, looking up he saw Hermione and Draco both had their wands out and Crabbe got soaked through.
"Are you OK?" Harry asked, feeling obligated to do so as he was, in a sense, their teacher. Crabbe nodded, shaking as he began to feel cold. "Do you want to go dry off?" he asked. Again Crabbe nodded and took off out the door. "And you?" Harry asked Ron, as the excitement died down and everyone began disarming their opponents once more.
"What?" Ron asked, affronted.
"You set a man on fire, Ron. Something's wrong" he said, keeping his voice low.
Ron breathed heavily for a moment "You can't accept this. You're in charge here, stop it" he demanded, pointing to Hermione and Draco, who weren't paying any attention to them.
"It's not for me to accept. I'm not in charge like that, they can do what they want" he told Ron.
"Harry, it's wrong"
"There's nothing we can do, if we wanted to"
"You're telling me you don't want to do anything?"
Harry took a deep breath and warned "Think about what you're doing, or you'll lose her as a friend whether he has bad intentions or not"
Ron glared at his friend before Harry walked away, leaving him alone.
Harry walked towards Hermione and Draco, who had progressed to not only trying to disarm each other, but block the other from doing so.
"Not trying to upstage me, are you?" Harry joked.
"Harry!" Hermione smiled "Sorry, it was Draco's idea"
"Thank you, for that" Draco spoke, his voice filled with sarcasm.
"No, it's brilliant. It was the next step once we had mastered this charm" He told the pair "Continue"
Hermione nodded, happily and struck trying to catch Draco off guard. Draco waved his wand in an upwards flick hurriedly speaking the incantation "Protego! Nice try, Hermione" he smirked.
After an hour and a half the hall was once again gathered around Harry. "Great work today everyone. Really, brilliant! I think if we do this for one more session, really master the charm, we can move on to learning how to block it" he told them, who all looked happy with this plan.
Walking back to the common room Harry couldn't help but feel pleased when he overheard others whispering about how they felt they could really learn something with Harry teaching. Before him Professor Lupin was the best teacher they had at Hogwarts, other than that their Defence Against the Dark Arts lessons were less than satisfactory.
"Good session, then?" Hermione asked, already knowing the answer.
"Yeah, I never thought it would feel good, teaching people what I've been taught"
"I can think of something which could be improved for next session" Ron said.
"What's that Ron?" Hermione asked, genuinely curious. Harry winced, internally for he knew what was coming.
"You could ditch the ferret" he told her.
"Excuse me? What has my choice in partner got to do with Harry?"
"Nothing, I'm just saying, next session ditch the ferret"
"Are you ordering me?"
"It's not an order Hermione, just some friendly advice"
"Who would you rather I partner with?"
"Oh, I don't know? How about me? Remember, your best friend"
"Best friend? Some friend you are! And excuse me if I don't want to partner with someone who can't cast such a simple charm he'd set me on fire!" Hermione hissed before storming through the portrait.
"Don't say I didn't warn you" Harry said, looking at Ron, who stared open-mouthed after her.
Hermione was still furious with Ron the next day and vented to Draco, they were sitting by the Black Lake, too cold to dip their feet in but private enough to hold a personal conversation.
"He's unbelievable! Trying to tell me what to do, who does he think he is?"
"He's your friend" Draco reminded her.
"He isn't acting like one!"
"Hermione, Ronald Weasley doesn't like me" he told her, as if this were brand new information, making Hermione laugh.
"Yes, I know. I just wish he'd trust me. Does he think I'm stupid?"
"No one in their right mind could think that" he told her "He's worried about you"
"No, he doesn't give a toss about me. All he cares about is that he still hates you and I don't feel that hatred at all anymore. And I think Harry's warming to you as well, which is infuriating him" Draco nodded feeling slightly guilty, she noticed "Don't feel bad" she told him.
"Hard not to, you're mad at your best friend essentially because of me"
"Still, it's his problem. Not mine. Not yours. His" Hermione said, emphasising this.
Draco nodded, still feeling bad about the situation. Hermione sighed "I wouldn't change it" she admitted "I've really enjoyed the time we've spent together. You know when to challenge me, and when to agree with me" she smirked, slightly. "It's strange to think, after everything - thinking about our history, that I could be here whining to you about Ronald"
"I'm always available for that" Draco joked before turning serious "You said that your friends would just have to deal with it. I don't think it'll work"
Hermione's head shot up "What does that mean?"
"It means he's your best friend. I don't want to make you choose, especially as the choice will, of course, be the person who's been through everything with you. I'm a stranger compared to him"
"And yet you understand me better in the month or so we've started speaking than he has in five years" she told him. "Ronald will have to deal with it, if he can't - it's his problem"
Draco looked at her "You're serious?"
Hermione nodded, it broke her heart to think of her and Ronald parting ways after so long but she couldn't deny he had changed this year. Whether this was to do with Draco's transformation or not, he hasn't been acting like her friend.
"You haven't done anything wrong Draco. In fact you've done everything right" she said
"Thank you, for believing me"
Hermione nodded again "I believe in second chances. I never thought you were rotten to the core" she told him "How's Vincent?"
Draco raised an eyebrow "Vincent? He's fine. Shock mostly but no permanent damage"
Hermione shrugged "He's your friend and that's his name" she reasoned "And, for what it's worth, I'm glad he's OK"
Draco looked towards the castle "Come on, we have this P.E. thing" he told her.
Hermione smiled slightly at his confusion of PE "Just what I need"
Looking at her Draco smirked "Hermione Granger speaking badly of a subject? This is unheard of"
"Clearly you never heard about the incident in Divination during third year" she smirked.
The students first impression of P.E. wasn't a good one. The students from muggle families knew what to expect however, those with magical backgrounds just didn't understand why it was necessary changing from their robes into shorts and a polo top, of all things.
As they made their way to the Quidditch pitch the students noticed Umbridge had removed the hoop shaped goal posts and replaced them with nets held up by white poles.
"Football" Harry said, taking in his surroundings.
Just after he spoke a shrill whistle sounded from a woman, they could only assume was their teacher.
"Alright, this is P.E. Physical Education. Your headmistress has informed me that there has been no such thing at your school since it's inception. This does not mean I will go easy on you. I do not tolerate slackers. Am I understood?"
The students looked at each other, Hermione turned to Harry "Ex-drill sergeant for the military?"
"Or one who never made it and is now reduced to teaching students"
Hermione nodded in agreement "You don't think she's a muggle, do you?"
"Can't be, they wouldn't allow muggles at Hogwarts"
"Our other teachers, have you ever seen them do magic?"
Harry thought about this for a moment before shaking his head "No"
"How is she getting away with it?" Hermione questioned, mostly to herself.
"The no magic rule" Draco suggested, turning up beside her "Not to mention daily memory charms, most likely"
"That could do some serious damage" Hermione hissed.
"I will choose two team captains. Captains choose the people you want on your team, I will go over the rules once and once only. Injured? Off the pitch, don't come crying to me" She told them before pointing "Scar-head and freakishly blond tall kid!" she yelled, pointing to Harry and Draco "You're captains, choose your teams"
Harry and Draco turned towards the rest of their class. Draco looked to Harry, willing him to start.
"Ron" Harry said
Draco looked to Hermione, who was trying to signal something to him however, he couldn't make it out "Hermione"
Hermione walked forwards "I was trying to tell you not to choose me! I'm not good at this, you'll lose!" she said, making him smirk.
"Doesn't matter. We'll lose anyway, remember I've never played this game before in my life... what is it anyway?" he asked
"Football"
Draco looked at her "I assume this has something to do with a foot and a ball?"
Hermione laughed "In all your muggle research you never came across the term football?" she asked, astounded.
Draco shook his head "Is it quite popular?"
"The most popular muggle sport in England! Well there's Rugby, Tennis, Cricket. But Football definitely has a very large following. We Englishmen invented it" she told him.
Draco nodded, noticing Harry had chosen Seamus Finnigan.
Draco decided to think tactically "Dean Thomas" he spoke, remembering him mentioning the sport once or twice in class, the term never meaning something until now.
This choice surprised others, including Harry who now also started choosing in the same way.
With eleven players on each team, the students started to play.
Harry's team included: Ronald Weasley, Seamus Finnigan, Justin Finch-Fenchley, Mandy Brockelhurst, Theodore Nott, Megan Jones, Michael Corner, Oliver Rivers, Kevin Entwhistle and Millicent Bulstrode.
Draco's team included: Hermione Granger, Dean Thomas, Blaise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson, Ernie Macmillan, Hannah Abbott, Daphne Greengrass, Anthony Goldstein, Lisa Turpin and Vincent Crabbe.
The other students in their year had been separated and attending the lesson after them.
"The rules to football aren't that complicated, to make it simpler I will choose how many defenders, attackers and midfielders. There is one goalie, and for the purposes of this lesson four defenders, five midfielders and one attacking player. Please choose the people you feel will be most suitable in these positions.
The aim is very simple, to score the ball must go over the line of the goal. If there is no player, from the goalkeepers team, between the defender and the goalkeeper when the ball is played, that is what is known as offside. This means play will be stopped. A yellow card means you have committed a foul which is not tolerated in the game. 2 yellow cards and you're sent off. A red card is a straight sending off, no arguments. Any questions?"
No one spoke, whether it was because they really did understand or because they were too dumbstruck to say anything, they couldn't tell.
Circling together in their teams Draco looked at the people he had chosen. "OK" he started "Dean Thomas" he spoke, the boy looked at him "You know a lot about this game?" he asked, Dean nodded "Then I suggest you choose which person plays in which position as you're more familiar with what it entails" Draco suggested.
Dean looked elated, football was something he knew much about - having grown up in the muggle world.
"Alright" he started "Malfoy I think you should play attacking. You're a seeker in Quidditch and, although it doesn't apply much of the same skills, Potter will probably play in the same position and Weasley, I imagine, in goal.
In defence I'd say Granger, Crabbe, Goldstein and Parkinson. I think Zabini, Macmillan, Abbott, Greengrass, Turpin would do well and in midfield and I'll play in goal" he said, looking around at the rest of the team to see whether they were happy with this.
Hermione saw Draco's confusion at something, smiling because she thought she knew why "In football players are usually referred to by their last names" she whispered.
Draco nodded in understanding and told the team to get into their positions.
Looking at the other team he saw Thomas was right. Potter was attacking and Weasley played in goal.
They had Bulstrode, Finch-Fenchley, Brockelhurst and Jones in defence, with Nott, Finnigan, Corner, Rivers and Entwhistle playing midfield.
Draco had to admit he was nervous as he moved to the centre of the field, copying Potter's movements.
"We toss a coin in the air to see who makes the first play" their teacher told them, flipping a coin in the air "Call it"
Draco looked urgently at Harry, it was muggle currency - confirming their beliefs their teacher was in fact a muggle - more than that Draco didn't know what in Merlin's name she meant by 'Call it'
"Heads" Harry spoke, realising this.
There was a pause as they waited for the coin to land "Tails" she called and placed the ball at Draco's feet.
Looking at Harry he silently asked what to do.
"Kick it" he mumbled however, trying not to catch their teachers it came out "Kiht" Draco stared, blankly "Kihk id" he tried again. Draco looked at the ball, back to Harry.
"Where?" he also mumbled
Harry nodded his head backwards, slightly. "Your team!" he said urgently, noticing their teacher was looking impatient.
Taking a deep breath Draco kicked the ball towards his players and hoped for the best.
"A draw isn't so bad!" Hermione comforted Draco as they walked back to the castle "If you think that over half the players on the team had no idea what football was an hour ago!"
"A draw! I've never even heard of such.. Honestly, in wizarding games there's always a winner. Quidditch, wizards chess, dueling! Always a winner!"
"At least you scored" Hermione encouraged "Ron isn't happy about that"
Draco looked at Hermione "You know just how to cheer me up" he told her, making her just a little smug.
"Did you get your message earlier today?" Hermione asked, referring to the gold coins she enchanted for the D.A.
"Loud and clear. Tonight?" Hermione nodded "It's a little soon, isn't it? We only had our first session last night"
"I know, we were discussing that but Ronald was adamant that he wants a session tonight" Draco cocked an eyebrow at this in question. "Harry doesn't know why and I haven't spoken to Ronald to find out, but apparently he wouldn't budge"
Harry and Ron walked some way behind the pair. Ron seething, which Harry felt was fast becoming his natural mood.
"Let me partner with him later" Harry didn't feel it was a request.
"You're joking?" he replied, seriously questioning his friends sanity.
"I'll teach him a lesson"
Harry closed his eyes for a moment and counted to ten "Ron, I can't force them to change partners"
"Sure you can! Just say you feel it would be better if Hermione paired with Parkinson and Draco to pair with me - make something up!"
"Wouldn't it make more sense to partner you with Hermione and him with Pansy?"
"I don't care how you do it, just make it happen!"
Harry sighed, he hated to admit it but he didn't believe Ron had the skills to take Malfoy on however, also didn't believe Malfoy would do anything to seriously harm Ron. Either way he had a bad feeling this wouldn't turn out well.
Before the D.A. meeting started he spoke quietly with Hermione and Draco inside the Room of Requirement, the three of them being the first there. He had considered making up a false story however, couldn't lie to Hermione. He just told them the truth that Ron wanted to partner with Draco.
"Why?" Hermione asked, immediately
"I honestly don't know. I'm not going to force you, if you want to partner with Ron you can if you don't, you don't"
"He isn't serious, Draco could-"
"Slaughter him, I know"
Draco sat there quietly listening intently to the conversation. Though he noted he felt somewhat flattered.
"If he wants to partner with me I say we give it a go"
"Draco.."
"Look, he either thinks he can beat me or maybe he wants to build a bridge"
Harry looked at him "I don't think that's the reason"
"Then he wants to see me hurt at his hands and I don't blame, him but I'm not going to lie down like the coward I was either"
Hermione nodded, this was Draco's choice. And when it came to him and Ronald she knew Draco could take care of himself. She didn't know what Ronald was up to, but decided to keep a close eye on the situation.
"Who will I partner with?"
"You can partner with Pansy" he told her. Hermione nodded, not unhappy with this arrangement.
An hour later the rest of Dumbledore's Army had joined them for their second session. Harry reminded them they were still to work on the Disarming Charm. After they refreshed their memories they partnered up.
Ron was obviously pleased when Draco walked towards him.
"So, did Harry tell you why we're partnered together?"
Draco looked at Ron, seeing a taunt coming however, decided to ignore it. Instead he shook his head "One session, what's the harm?"
Ron looked at him "You see, he feels you will benefit from working with me as I'm a much more accomplished wizard than you"
Draco looked at him and smirked "Whatever gets you through the day, Weasley" making the boy frown. Draco had thought of a hundred different things he could have said to him however, felt that his response was the safer option. Not safe enough apparently. "Shall we?" he asked, indicating they should start.
"Expelliarmus!" Ron chanted, sending a jet of red light Draco's way which was easily deflected. Ron looked at him "We're not supposed to block the charm yet!"
"So I'm supposed to let you disarm me?"
"Yes!"
"Not happening. Try again"
Ron fumed, sending spell after spell, jinx after jinx and hex after hex trying to catch the boy off guard. Draco however, was too quick for him. Though he refused send one back himself, he was proficient in blocking them well.
"Fight back!" Ron yelled, watching angrily as Draco deflected everything he threw, looking almost bored as he did so. Finally Ron decided he'd had enough "Crucio!" he yelled.
Draco didn't block the curse. Half shocked to hear the word coming from his opponents mouth, half because he didn't think the boy knew how to cast it properly. Though he felt twitches and spasms inside his body, he didn't hurt. But he was angry.
Hermione watched, eyes-wide in horror. She had done as she promised herself and kept watch on the situation, though she knew Ronald was mad she never thought he would ever use that against someone their own age, against someone who wasn't a threat.
She started to walk towards them to stop the nonsense. She knew Draco was angry and would taunt Ronald into doing something she hoped he would regret, she knew Draco would regret losing control for a moment in allowing him to do so.
"That's the best you've got?" he sneered "You want to use that curse you have to mean it! Come on, give it your best shot!" Draco said, arms held wide creating a larger target.
Ron felt his temper rise and yelled "CRUCIO!"
"No!" Hermione yelled, stepping directly in the middle of Ronald and Draco, taking the full blast of the curse.
Draco was by her side in an instant, unable to fully process what had just happened.
"Hermione!" Ron started "What the hell were you thinking! You stupid girl!" He yelled at her but was only met by Draco's glare, for she couldn't answer, her screams and sobs filled the room as Draco held her close. Picking her up he walked out, he carried her all the way back to their common room, deserted as all the fifth year students belonged to the D.A.
Draco walked to the chair closest to the fire and sat down, bringing Hermione down with him, Hermione herself curled into him.
"I shouldn't have antagonised him, I'm sorry" Draco admitted, though it pained him to do so it pained him even more to see Hermione hurt.
"He shouldn't have used that curse in the first place" said Hermione, her voice rough from screaming.
"Why didn't you let me take the hit?" he asked "I have more tolerance for it" he told her. Hermione shook her head, she couldn't form words, she just kept shaking her head back and forth, Draco started stroking her hair in an effort to stop the motion. "I'm so sorry" Draco repeated, bringing Hermione's head up so he could look at her properly. "Please, tell me why? I could have taken it. You" he took her in fully "You're hurt and- Why?" he questioned, looking her directly in the eyes.
Though on the outside he looked calm on the inside his blood boiled, scorching. He wanted to hurt him. Weasley. More than he had ever wanted to hurt anyone in his entire life, and he grew up with Lucius Malfoy. Draco looked at the girl in his arms, he literally ached for her, she shouldn't feel this pain. This pain was meant for him and him alone.
Draco took a deep breath to sooth is anger. From the moment that curse hit Hermione Weasley had been living on borrowed time, content with this for the time being he focused solely on the girl in front of him, waiting patiently for the answer he desperately needed.
Hermione wanted to lower her eyes, not in shame, but because the intensity of his stare was smothering her. Hermione let her eyes fall to his lips for a moment before darting back up to his glittering grey eyes, the blazing fire clear in the reflection.
Leaning forward slightly, she hesitated before finally bringing her own lips upon his.
Draco stilled for just a moment to process her actions, after which he brought his hand up and weaved his hand through her hair, pulling her closer towards him.
Draco pulled away to rest his forehead on hers, now with more questions than answers. Hermione closed her eyes took a deep breath before speaking.
"I suppose I took the hit because, well.. I couldn't stand it if you were hurt, especially by someone who is supposed to be my friend. But the image of you .. I think" Hermione paused, finally opening her eyes to peer once again into his "I think I might be falling for you" she admitted.
Her heart beating wildly and her breath coming out short and deep as she awaited his reaction.
"I think I might be falling for you too" he admitted, grinning a little when Hermione did.
Settling back into his arms she noticed she still ached, and thought she may do for some time however, now with Draco, she couldn't bring herself to care.