A/N: Please remember to hop on over to my profile and vote for a title for my 'New Story'. I'll choose the title when I'm done with that story, so you've got plenty of time!
And now, Chapter 10!
And We Are All Connected To Each Other In A Circle, In A Hoop That Never Ends
In 1967, some obscure muggle in the States wanted to find the relationship between people, so he gave 100 people in Kansas a package. Those people had to mail the package to someone they knew in Boston. If they didn't know anyone, they were to send it to someone else they knew with the same instructions. When the person in Boston received the package, they were to send it to the original person in Kansas. When all the packages were back, the muggle averaged the amount of people it took, coming up with 5.6. Rounding up, he called this experiment the Six Degrees of Separation.
The basic theory is you are six handshakes away from your perfect lover, the Minister of Magic, or Harry Potter.
Draco already knew all three all too well in his opinion. Knowing Harry Potter, in the boy's own words, was bloody overrated, and Fudge was as much of an idiot as the toad he'd sent to Hogwarts. And his perfect love hated him.
Six Degrees of Separation could go six ways to hell.
Sighing, Draco rolled over. He was positive, due to its muggle origin, this was what Hermione meant by "hoop that never ends," but he was more concerned with another hoop.
If he didn't fix the song by Christmas, a few weeks, he would go insane, but the song made him think about Hermione, which would drive him insane anyways.
Deeming it time to dress, he looked in the mirror.
Two months later (had it really only been two months?), she was still letting him keep her Prefect rooms, afraid for him going to the dungeons alone. Even when thoroughly cross with him, she didn't throw him to the wolves, or snakes as it were. It made him want to hate her, but it really made him love her, crushing him further.
At this rate, he'd be insane by breakfast.
His unhappy reflection glared back at him, a mocking image that told him he was just as ugly outside as he felt inside.
The mirror-Malfoy smirked.
"Any brilliant ideas to get her back yet?"
"Seeing as you're my most inner self and you're asking me, I'd hazard a guess and say no, I do not." The mirror laughed.
"Did I say I had no ideas? I just asked if you thought about one, maybe trying to jog an idea you do have."
"She doesn't care."
"Are you trying to get pity points, then? Your appearance would certainly warrant it." It was true.
His blonde, usually gelled, hair was almost as disheveled as Potter's mop. Sleep was evidently missing as red-ringed silver eyes, dulled by fatigue, glared at the mirror as though it was at fault.
Draco had resigned himself to another day of staring at the back of her head, as he had been doing for three days. Three days and he had been reduced to this.
Then he saw the snowy white owl, hooting from her perch upon the kitchen counter, rolled parchment in her talons.
Hesitantly, he took the parchment after finding Hedwig a pellet from his bag for Skylark, the eagle his parents had bought him. The same eagle they'd taken; he wondered where she was.
Once again, he realized he'd allowed himself to be distracted.
Malfoy—
This note is to inform you your presence is requested in the library during breakfast for an emergency prefects' meeting.
—H. Granger
All he could think was, "Hermione." In hindsight, he should have realized if there was ever an emergency meeting, the Heads would send the request, not Hermione.
He was glad he didn't think about it.
He arrived to find Hermione, alone, reading Romeo & Juliet.
"Where is everyone?" He asked, forcing himself to look her in the eyes, as a proud Malfoy would, not the love-struck fool he had become.
"Here." He was confused but she waited patiently for him to catch on. It didn't take long.
"What…what…" He hated how he sounded and hardened his voice. "What more can you do to me, Hermione? Or are we already back to Grang-…" He didn't get to finish, but Hermione, lips pressed to his, hands grasping his face, was much better than any unfinished sentence. But why was she doing this?
He braced himself for the hurt he was about to cause them both and gently pushed her off and took a step back. Guiltily, he looked away, not able to look her in the face this time.
"Draco? What's wrong? Your note…" She trailed off, searching his eyes for an explanation, any, to tell her why he wasn't responding to her.
"My note," Draco sighed. "Hermione, we just broke up three days ago. You really already want to be back with me? Surely, being the intelligent girl I love, you understand how unhealthy that is for any relationship."
"Draco, I never meant it. I was angry. I would have said anything to get back at you."
"For doing what, Hermione? What did I do to warrant you being angry with me? I disagreed with your opinion."
"I know, Draco, and I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking straight. But you know me; I defend those I love and those I believe in. What was I supposed to do when you started insulting Dumbledore? Laugh and agree?"
"You should have respected my opinion. Why couldn't we just disagree quietly and talk? Admit it, our conversations always end in an argument, and, frankly, I'm amazed I didn't end up with a black eye worse than third year."
This wasn't going the right way; Hermione was crying and he was ready to turn and bolt. Weren't they supposed to be getting back together?
"Draco, please! You've no idea what I've put myself through these last three days, trying to ignore you, desperate not to turn around and kiss you." Tears were running down her cheeks and Draco couldn't suppress the urge to reach out and stop the tears with his thumb, letting his hand linger on her face.
"I do know, Hermione. It's the same as what I have been dealing with. I can't say we need to take a break, because I don't think it would be conducive to what remains of our relationship, especially considering we've just had a three day break and the two of us feel the need to jump off the Astronomy tower." She attempted a laugh, but it came out as a hiccup.
"So what happens now?" They sat in silence for awhile, both trying to come up with something.
"I think," he finally answered, "a break would be good, but not the type we've just had. We can still hang out with the group, hang out with each other, do things we have since the start of term, but not necessarily dating."
"Like, an open relationship?" Draco shook his head thoughtfully.
"I guess if you find someone you'd rather be with neither of us has any influence over the choice, but it's not what I meant. We rushed into our relationship; hating each other for four years does not a good romantic relationship make. That's where our problem began, whether we knew it or not. We need to take time to remember why we became friends. Then we need to remember why we began dating. We've both forgotten why it was we liked each other."
Hermione nodded sadly, picking up her bag and the plate of bacon, eggs, and toast on the table.
"I felt bad I made you skip breakfast," she explained. "Don't let Madame Pince see it. When you're done, it will disappear. I have to get to Defense." She kept her head low as she left the library, wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her robe.
"Brilliant, Malfoy, just brilliant," he berated himself. "You've always been the self-absorbed, selfish Slytherin; why change? Because you fucking fell in love, great!"
He continued mumbling through Charms.
"I can't bloody stand this!" Ron exclaimed at the breakfast table. The other eight members of the normal ten had stayed behind at breakfast, preferring to talk in semi-privacy. They gathered at the Gryffindor table, complaining.
"The two of them are infuriating! Can't they just realize they're perfect for each other and get on with it?" The other redhead was a force to be reckoned with when she was pissed.
Cho and Cedric, very soft spoken individuals, nodded grimly. Neither knew enough about Hermione and Draco to give their two cents.
Blaise and Pansy, on the other hand, knew enough about Draco to know he was being thick-headed.
"Every other time he's pissed someone off, he never fails to get in their face or apologize, whichever one he thinks will accomplish his end goal faster."
"He knows he should apologize, he just won't do it!"
"Actually," Harry interjected, cutting Pansy off from furthering her rant, "from what Hermione's told me, it seems to be more her fault. Not only did she start the argument, she pretty much ripped Draco a new one for semi-bashing Dumbledore, then told him they were over and stormed off. Then, she didn't respond to his apology/forgiveness note for three days. She sent him a note this morning so they could meet in the library."
"So if it's Hermione's fault…," Luna began.
"…and Draco's already forgiven her…" Ron always was the slower one.
"WHY HAVEN'T THEY GOTTEN BACK TOGETHER?" Everyone was at least five seats away from Ginny at this point.
"Merlin, they're thick." Cedric shook his head.
"They just need time," Cho finally spoke up. "They need to remember why they fell in love with each other. A relationship means nothing if you don't remember why you started it, and after four years of hating one another, it's going to be harder for them to remember than the rest of us. Off the top of your heads, how many of you can name ten things about the person you're with that draw them to you, other than "we're friends" or "they're hot"?" Seven hands went up.
"How long do you think it would take Hermione and Draco to come up with those things?" No one answered. "It's because they've spent four years pointing out each other's flaws. For instance, Draco hasn't been her friend for four years; he doesn't realize that Hermione is a logical thinker, does not give Harry and Ron homework answers because she believes in equality and fairness and the circle of life, and that she protects those she loves with words and force."
"And Hermione doesn't realize that Draco hates seeing anything that can't defend itself in trouble, would apologize and be embarrassed a hundred times before one of his friends was put in danger, and believes those who make mistakes do deserve second chances," Pansy detailed.
"Because for the past four years, Draco has seen the bookworm tag-along to the Potter Party," Cedric explained.
"And Hermione has seen the cold, conceited, selfish Death Eater in training," Blaise affirmed.
Ginny was starting to wind down and began realizing maybe jumping back into their relationship wouldn't help, and Ron and Harry were beginning to appease themselves with the knowledge that, if Cho and the rest of their group could figure this out, maybe Hermione could, too.
It would surprise them all to discover it had been Draco's suggestion all along.
"So what do we do?" Ginny finally asked.
"We make sure they stay friends," Luna supplied.
"And we ensure that neither jumps headfirst into shallow water," Harry stated firmly. The group nodded and said their good-byes before heading off to first period, all confident in the knowledge that, however long it took, the two would be back together again.
"Of all the stupid bloody things…" Hermione was still muttering under her breath when the object of her insults stopped in front of her desk.
"If you have something to say, Miss Granger, please share with the class." The sickly sweet voice made her want to vomit. Remembering Harry's detentions, she revised her line of thinking.
"Just that the way the author is incorrect in his line of thinking," Hermione said clearly, although that had not been what she was thinking. "If we were to defend ourselves against a werewolf, feeding them the potion would do no good unless they had not transformed yet, and as the people who are werewolves try to keep quiet, odds are we are more likely to see them transformed before not. Therefore, we cannot use the potion." Umbridge looked floored as she nodded and gave her toady smile again.
"Very good, Miss Granger. Five points." She could see Draco, Harry, Ron, Blaise, and Pansy struggling to keep their laughter in. "Before we continue, I'm sure some of you have seen the posters outside the Great Hall. They are aimed primarily at your year and those above you.
"I have begun the Inquisitorial Squad. We are looking for members," here she looked at the Slytherins, especially those who were friendly with Harry (i.e. Draco, Pansy, and Blaise), "who are willing to join. You have the same rights as teachers, including doling out detentions and taking points. We encourage Prefects to join, as well as those who would like to pursue a future with the Ministry; Minister Fudge looks kindly on those who are law-abiding as students.
"That is all. Continue your twenty-four inch essays on the dangers of all half-breeds." All those in the class who knew of Lupin and liked him glared at the toad woman behind her back.
They all knew; Umbridge had to be dealt with soon. Dumbledore's Army needed to start as soon as possible. Good thing the next Hogsmeade was less than twenty-four hours away.
Dinner, in his mind, was very quiet. Everyone seemed to be glancing at him, wondering what was going on between him and Hermione, but he simply picked moodily at his potatoes. His friends didn't fail to notice that his bad mood seemed directly correlated with Hermione's absence.
No one was quite sure how to act around him; Pansy and Blaise tried to engage him in the conversation, but he replied only when necessary and did nothing to contribute, so they eventually gave up, and no one else knew how to include him without setting him off.
He told himself he didn't miss her; that she was just studying in the library and he had seen her all day in classes, but none of it comforted him, because he did miss her. It was as simple as that.
Thank god she came barreling through the doors during dessert, grinning as though Christmas had come early.
"Draco, I've found it!" Raising one eyebrow, he waited for her to elaborate; she did not disappoint. "The reversal spell for the charm I cast on you—the song?" He nodded.
"I found it a few days ago, when we were still arguing." If he didn't think she would slap him for it, he would have laughed at her spluttering.
"What? W-why didn't you tell me?" Draco shrugged, standing next to her.
"You cast the spell on me for a reason, Hermione, and I didn't want to get rid of it yet. It's not driving me horribly insane, and if we get rid of it, I won't know if I've actually figured it out or not. Besides, when I found the spell, you were still pissed off at me, and I would have needed you to do it." She conceded that point to him.
"You still could have told me!" Shaking his head, he pulled his bag over his shoulder.
"I didn't want you to reverse it. Hermione, I want to change, and this song is doing more for me than any heartfelt cookie-cutter speeches Harry or Dumbledore could give. It's not telling me I'm wrong, it's explaining it. Everyone on the light side always claims we are all equal, that there is no difference besides lack of magic.
"This spell, it's taught me why I should switch sides, not just that I should. I don't want to get rid of it." Looking thoughtful, he added, "Although I never want to hear it again once I get rid of it. I'll see you in the Great Hall tomorrow; Hogsmeade, remember?" He grinned and kissed her hand before walking out, heading for the dungeons to talk to his godfather; Voldemort had been too quiet and Severus still had not given him an idea on how to fake a plan.
They were running out of time, and they needed to jump to offensive.
"What do you mean, Dumbledore has no ideas?" Draco was beyond furious. It had been at least two or three weeks; the madman should have had something figured out by now. Dangerous or not, Severus said the Headmaster always had a back-up plan in case of emergencies.
"I mean, Dumbledore has no way of delivering you, Pansy, and Blaise to the Dark Lord without all four of us ending up dead, and he still needs me. He knows I will not leave until the three of you are safe, which means he either loses all or none of us, and right now, the none of us option involves me losing my position as a spy."
"Polyjuice three Death Eater kids, knock them out, and say Dumbledore needs you back at the castle." He said it so matter-of-factly that Severus could not resist rolling his eyes; if only everything in this damned war was so simple.
"I think the Headmaster is thinking more along the lines of no more fighting after this." Silence was the primary noise for a fair few minutes.
"He can't be serious. Harry is nowhere near ready for something like that!"
"I have advised the Dark Lord that his most opportune moment would be a Death Eater attack on Hogsmeade, because I will be unable to slip any of you out during the year due to Ministry interference. It seems," Severus gave a wry smirk, "the Dark Lord is realizing Ministry ignorance is just as aggravating as a competent Ministry."
"Did he agree?" Suddenly, Draco realized his godfather was looking more worn and aged as of late.
"Luckily. But there is still the matter that the Ministry would never allow the next Hogsmeade trip to be cancelled. You will have to keep close to Potter; the Headmaster will be giving him an emergency portkey." Draco nodded; he had planned on it anyways.
"What about the other students?" Severus shook his head.
"To give them all portkeys would alert them to the fact that something is wrong. They would all stay back at the castle and the Dark Lord would know I told them of the attack; I would be killed instantly. Dumbledore is also keeping me here to watch for miscreant first and second years," Severus sniffed. "It is nothing new; he always wanted to ensure I would not have to be put in the position of choosing a side should something like this happen."
"Pansy and Blaise, though?"
"I am trying desperately trying to get the Headmaster to give the three of you and Potter, Granger, and Weasley each your own portkey, should you separate to enjoy different things, but he seems convinced you will all be together." Here, he threw the blonde a sharp look, daring him to tell him why the Headmaster would be able to predict such a thing. Draco ducked his head, suppressing a grin; so Dumbledore had discovered his newly formed army that had not even had its first meeting.
"Regardless, it would put my mind at ease. You should stop coming down here, though, Draco. Your peers may discover we are still close enough where I should be able to take you to him; I do not wish to seem as well-connected as I am."
Connected. The word struck something in him, but there were more important things to discuss than the song; his godfather was in danger because Draco and his friends had associated with the wrong sorts, which was rather ironic, considering that had been what he called the people he was now hanging out with back in first year.
"Just remember, Draco, that everything you do has consequences. You are connected to this, no matter what choice you make, as with everyone else. Everyone is influenced by others; your choices affect them and theirs affect you." Draco nodded, suppressing another grin when he realized Severus had helped him with the hex; another line, gone.
"Thanks, Sevvie."
"Brat."
"Thank you."
"Good night, Draco."
"Good luck," Draco replied, substituting for 'good night' when he saw Severus grasp his forearm. A quick nod, and the man was off to requisition a portkey from the Headmaster; he still had to make it to his meetings.
"Good luck," he whispered again, heading for Hermione's Head rooms.
Tomorrow would be crucial; they needed to recruit fast before Umbridge or Voldemort got much more powerful. Only a few more hours until Hogsmeade.
A/N:VampireAlchemist: Well, that went well!
Draco: We're still not back together, you twit!
VampireAlchemist: You know, young man, you're lucky you're a main character.
Hermione: You wouldn't really kill him...
VampireAlchemist: You're right.
Both: (triumphant smiles)
VampireAlchemist: Maybe a little bit of permanent maiming, though...
Draco: Please Review!
VampireAlchemist: I think you're quite finished, Malfoy. You've been in far too many drabbles.
Draco: The people love me! And to prove it, I'll bet you get 10 reviews!
VampireAlchemist: Deal.
Draco: Cool...wait, what? I didn't mean a real...
VampireAlchemist: In order to save Draco, everybody, I need at least 10 reviews on chapter 10. Save him or the story's over!
All: Please Review!
Next Chapter: Wolf Cries and Eagles