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Now: Draco, the helpful friend

Chapter Ten

"Missy! I vas hoping to see you!" Draco could barely blink before the beefy Bulgarian was upon them.

What was happening? His day with Granger had started off so well, and he felt confident that Phase Three of his plan was really coming together. But then those damned Weasley twins had to blatantly encroach on his witch. And now her ex-boyfriend, here in Hogsmeade of all places!

Draco looked over at Granger. She seemed to have frozen, a too-wide grin pasted unnaturally to her face. As Krum tried to scoop the little brunette, her arm appeared to wrench painfully at the shoulder. That was when Draco noticed Weasel's death grip around her wrist. Granger gave out a little pained shriek.

Draco did not like hearing that sound at all and stepped into the situation without thinking. He quickly inserted himself between his witch and the burly Quidditch player, while digging his wand sharply into Weasel's ribcage. Draco was not quite as overtly muscular as the Bulgarian was, but he was now taller, so it was easy to push him backwards. And after a hard jab with his wand, Weasel was cringing in pain two steps away from Granger.

"Alright, gentlemen," Draco drawled. Although his tone was even and evoked a sense of boredom, Draco was tense and seething inside. "Let's give the lady some air."

At least Weasel had the decency to look abashed, but Krum just looked confused.

"But I vant Missy." Maybe Krum wasn't the smartest wizard in the world. Don't we all want Missy, Draco thought. He couldn't hide his smirk.

"Hey!" Granger sounded quite indignant at Krum's caveman attitude. Draco's smirk just intensified.

"Why don't we sit and have a drink?" Draco nodded his head toward an empty table. "We can all catch up."

Krum led the charge and Draco held back a moment, keeping Granger behind him and letting the Weasel follow the Bulgarian.

"Thanks, Draco," Hermione murmured. It took a moment to register her words, because she had pressed herself into his back, keeping others from hearing. Regardless of the reason, her tits were pressed firmly against him and he could feel her warm breath on the nape of his neck.

Draco shook his head clear. He needed to focus! There were too many shifty players on this pitch, all trying to score the goal that was his. He had to have his wits about him. Draco took Granger's small hand and tucked into the crook of his arm.

"Pleased to be of service." Draco grinned, as he led her to the table. He was trying to think of ways to run off the Bulgarian, but nothing was coming to mind. Draco wanted to mark his territory, but Phase Three didn't include anything sexual.

Draco did make sure Granger sat next to him, even though the Bulgarian ended up on the other side. Draco also draped his arm nonchalantly over the back of her chair, trying to look bored.

Weasel eyed Draco with a scowl, but the bulk of his ire was clearly directed toward the ex-boyfriend at the table. Hermione ignored all of them and flagged down a server to get them drinks.

"So Krum, what brings you to town?" Draco asked casually, sipping his butterbeer.

"I come to see my Missy," he replied, staring adoringly at Granger. Draco found it quite disgusting. Granger wouldn't go for a simpering bloke she could walk all over. His witch needed someone with backbone, someone who wouldn't be afraid to argue with her, challenge her.

"Viktor, why didn't you owl first?" Granger huffed. Draco smirked into his beer, trying not to show his delight. "I just got your owl the other day and you didn't mention coming to town!"

"I vanted to surprise you," Viktor pouted. He reached his hand under the table and rested it on Granger's knee, which Draco definitely did not appreciate. "Ve vere close by for game. If you haff time to visit, I can get room here."

"Well, she doesn't have time," Weasel butted in, his face turning red. "We have to get back to school soon."

"Ron is right; we do have to get back soon. Ron, will you do me an enormous favor and get a bowl of those snacks we love so much from Madam Rosemerta at the bar, before we have to leave?" Hermione asked sweetly, as if she wasn't trying to get rid of the Weasel. Draco knew she was, and hoped that he too would not be sent on an errand - not that he would go. Malfoys didn't fetch and carry for anyone, well, not this Malfoy.

Weasel nodded and got up. As soon as he was gone, Granger turned on the Bulgarian.

"This is ridiculous, Viktor!" she hissed. "You are making it very hard to remain friends when you do things like this. You need to stop trying to get back together. Ron was right; we only have limited time in Hogsmeade. What did you think would happen? We could run upstairs for a quickie?"

"Don't be mad, Missy," Krum cajoled. Draco fought the urge to be sick. "I miss you. I vant you back."

"I told you, we don't work as a couple," Granger sighed. Clearly, they had gone over this before. Draco knew from experience that Granger hated it when people ignored her and she had to repeat things. "And you aren't being very discreet! That hasn't changed a bit."

Granger lifted the Bulgarian's hand off her knee and returned it to him, which Draco silently applauded. It was getting harder and harder to maintain his mask of indifference at this table.

"Vat? There is someone else?" Krum looked like a spoiled child that lost a toy. Draco thought he may have a temper tantrum, which made him gleeful. "I haff not heard of you vit someone else."

"If I were with someone else, he would have the good sense not to make a spectacle of our relationship in public," Granger retorted. Draco was putting all the pieces together as the two spoke. Krum had definitely wanted to keep his relationship with Granger, but the less-than-bright Bulgarian likely bragged about bagging the Gryffindor Princess. Granger wouldn't put up with that sort of thing, Draco was sure.

"I'm sure he would have good sense," Draco drawled, arching his brow at Krum. "Especially if it meant he could continue in Granger's...good graces."

Draco decided to gamble and suggestively ran his fingertips over Granger's shoulder, since his arm was already draped over the back of her chair. With his other hand, he pulled her chair an inch closer to him. Then he brushed a stray curl away from her face. It was a gamble in two ways. Krum might not notice his hints; the wizard had already proven to be quite thick. And Granger might object to him implying they were more than friends. If it worked though, it would cement his role as helpful friend while planting the seeds for Phase Four. That kind of opportunity didn't come every day. What kind of Slytherin would he be if he didn't take advantage of it?

Draco held the Bulgarian's gaze until he saw the other wizard's eyes widen with realization.

"You are vit this Malfoy now," Krum stated, looking at Granger for confirmation.

"Draco is Head Boy this year," she responded after a moment, looking a little conflicted. Draco didn't know if she was a bad liar, or just morally opposed to lying.

"So we get to share a dorm," Draco added, along with a blatant leer of Granger's assets. If this subterfuge was going to work, he would need to do all the heavy lifting. "Granger here is charming...company. But you know that."

Before either could respond, Weasel returned with the snacks. Potter and she-Weasley trailed right behind him. They found chairs and helped themselves to seats at the table. Draco thought the Weaselette raised an eyebrow at his arm across Granger's chair, but she didn't say anything. Granger seemed relieved that the previous subject was dropped. The conversation swiftly moved to changes in Hogsmeade, purchases made that day, and filling Viktor in on new things at Hogwarts.

"We better get moving, Granger." Draco finally interrupted the Gryffindor love-fest. He'd had his butterbeer and did not wish to sit with two glaring wizards, Krum and Weasel, without liquid fortification. "We've got to round up stray third years."

"You're right, Draco," Granger nodded. She got up from the table, causing both Krum and the Weasel to rise as well. They both looked they wanted to either follow Granger or grab her. Draco smirked at them, giving Krum a wink for good measure.

"I vill send you letter," Krum told Granger, before eyeing Draco with hostility. That just buoyed Draco's spirits and made him want to laugh aloud.

"It's always nice to see you, Viktor," Granger nodded. Draco rolled his eyes. She was such a softie, like so many Gryffindors. No wonder Krum thought he could get her back. She was too damned nice. "I am glad we can be friends."

Draco smirked at Granger's last comment. No wizard wants to be just friends with a witch he is hoping to shag. Draco had to guard against that himself. He didn't really have witches just as friends, and he certainly wasn't going to start with Granger.

"I'll probably see you all at dinner," Granger waved to the rest of the group as she followed Draco out of the tavern.

Next: Draco's brain breaks