A/N: You all have every right to kill me. I am a horrible person.
Thank you for sticking with me. Both POVs here. I apologize for the lack of length ahead of time.
Without further ado, here's chapter ten.
Quick recap: Draco/Hermione bonded, Hermione had a reassuring and slightly awkward conversation with Ron, she then had a quick confrontation with Harry, and now our favorite bookworm is meeting our favorite Slytherin in the library for some (hopefully) alone time.
Finding Draco in the library wasn't a difficult task. Not including that his hair was a dead giveaway even from a distance, there were only a few places amongst the tomes that provided a decent amount of privacy. Add that to the fact that I knew the library's layout like the back of my hand and it became a no-brainer where he'd be.
I walked quickly toward the small alcove where he sat, keeping my already muffled footsteps exact while skillfully avoiding every creaky floorboard. No need to bring unwanted attention to myself, after all.
As I approached the table, he looked up as if he could feel my presence. Everyone's apparent vigilance learned from the days of the war was still intact for the most part and Draco was no exception. I sat down in the empty seat across from him and smiled, my own smile widening when I received a smile in return.
"Took you long enough," he commented offhandedly before turning his attention back to his Charms book.
I placed my bag down on the floor beside my chair and rifled around until I found the book I had been looking for, my Ancient Runes text. I set it carefully onto the table and opened it to the previously marked page. "I got held up," I replied, "by both Ron and Harry."
Draco's head snapped up the second Harry's name left my lips. "What did Sca – I mean Potter – say to you?" His eyes roved my face and I could see the concern etched in his brow. "He didn't upset you, did he? I swear on Slytherin's rod that I will murder him if he did."
My first instinct was to defend myself and inform him that I could handle myself just fine, the way I felt obligated to do with Harry or Ron, but the fact that he was so worked up over such a small thing made me realize how deep these feelings we had between each other were becoming. Less than a year ago, anyone who had even remotely told me that Draco would be so apt to defend my honor would have gotten sent straight to St. Mungo's for a psychiatric exam.
Instead I giggled and smiled disarmingly at him. "I appreciate that, but I'm fine. The confrontation dissolved way before things became heated."
Draco nodded his head and responded with a succinct, "Good."
We remained quiet for a few minutes, ostensibly working on our respective homework assignments. Seeing as the two of us were the highest in our class, and therefore the ones who finished our work the quickest, it wasn't long before the both of us were sitting there simply gazing at each other.
"You wanted to continue our talk?" I prompted.
Granger's voice pulled me back to reality. How is it that I end up staring at her face and get caught up in it so easily every opportunity?
I cleared my throat, and my mind of any particularly embarrassing thoughts, and attempted to remember what I had earlier thought up as the first topic of conversation I had planned on using. Something simple, not too personal as of yet. Oh, right.
"What are your plans for after graduation?" Right before she began to speak, I couldn't help but add, "You're not going to attend some Muggle university are you? I thought seven years of schooling would be more than enough, even for a sponge like you."
She glared at me but seeing that I had no intention of taking back what I said, she simply sighed and answered my original question. "I might work at the Ministry actually. I had originally wanted to be a Healer, but I think I've seen enough death and severe injury for one lifetime."
We both winced at the comment, both at the truth of it and the horridness of the thoughts that usually accompanied mention of the Second Wizarding War we had played a part in. we had both seen our fair share of death and torture, although I suppose one could argue she won in the "most emotionally scarred" department.
"Good point."
"And what about you?" she asked in return. I suppose I should have seen that coming, but I had no answer planned out. I didn't even know what I would be doing as of yet.
"Well, when I was younger I wanted to be an Auror," I admitted, "but Father always reminded me that I had a company I would inherit and a family name to retain," I added bitterly. That evil bastard always put himself first, himself and his damn money.
"An Auror is a very prestigious career choice," Granger remarked diplomatically. "Although I feel inclined to tell you if you do join the Auror forces, you'll be working with Ron and Harry. Kingsley already offered the three of us positions, but I made it a requirement that the boys take their NEWTS first."
"Of course you did," I interjected genially. I'm sure if it had been said in another tone I would have been hexed out of my seat. As always, she simply ignored my comment and continued on as if she hadn't been interrupted in the first place.
"Are you still expected to take over Malfoy Industries then?"
"Technically, yes." Which was the truth, mostly.
"What do you mean technically?" she asked, her voice edged with just a hint of suspicion.
"There are a few… conditions… that my father had written into his living will. One of them happened to pertain to his being sent to Azkaban and my subsequently taking over the company."
"And this condition is?"
This would be uncomfortable soon. "I need to be married to someone of whom my mother and father approve before I turn twenty-one."
Hermione's eyes widened, probably because she still wasn't used to the scheming of Purebloods, and particularly of a father against his only son. Despite all she had done in her short life, I was quickly learning that my (hopefully soon-to-be ex) society was something she didn't have never-ending knowledge of.
"But they can't force you to marry if you aren't ready! And at such a young age!" she protested.
"In the Wizarding world, twenty-one isn't all that young," I reminded.
She shook her head in disappointment but left it at that. Silence loomed and so I changed the subject to something much more lighthearted.
"Read any good books lately?"
She immediately perked up and went off rambling about some Muggle historical fiction novel and I listened, for the most part. Something about the way her eyes lit up when she talked about something she was passionate about grabbed my attention and didn't let it go. She could have been going on and on for hours for all I knew. But I wasn't complaining, oddly enough.
Suddenly a thump sounded from about a meter away and she jumped, her eyes quickly searching for what could have made the sound. I followed suit and sighed in exasperation when I caught sight of a familiar polished dress shoe. I know, odd thing to recognize, but I knew it well all the same.
"Blaise, what in Merlin's name are you doing here?" I growled, hoping not to draw any more attention in our direction. This, whatever it was between Hermione and I, was supposed to remain a secret from the Hogwarts population, at least for a while longer. "Have you demoted yourself to stalking me?"
As per usual, my words had no effect on him. I felt more irritation at the fact that he had invaded my and Hermione's "alone time," but it didn't hurt that I wanted to knock that knowing smirk off his face.
He slid into the remaining empty seat at the table and grinned at me before reaching out a hand toward Hermione and saying (in his most charming tone), "It's good to see you, Granger."
She looked between the two of us and eventually settled on shaking the twat's hand. I resisted the stirring of jealousy in my gut (Honestly, I'm jealous of Blaise shaking her hand? What is wrong with me?) and instead pinned my supposed best friend with a baleful glare.
"I see I'm not welcome," he remarked after a few seconds of silence. "I'll catch you later, Drake." And with that he was gone.
"Well," I said lightly as I watched Blaise Zabini walk out the library doors as if nothing out of the ordinary had just occurred. "That was interesting."
Draco grunted in reply. Whenever Harry or Ron would do such a thing it grated on my nerves, but with Draco it didn't bother me at all. Perhaps it's because I know he actually has a wide vocabulary when he chooses to utilize it…
"Since the mood is now ruined," Draco declared, pulling me from my thoughts and refocusing my attention onto him, "I'll be going. Will I see you again soon?"
I swore I heard a tinge of hope in the question, but I was probably just projecting my own thoughts and feelings onto his actions. "Sure, just let me know," I replied.
We packed up our things, walked out into the corridor, and went our separate ways. I sent Draco a small wave before I turned the corner out of his sight, and he returned it, which caused me to smile.
Once I was certain I was alone in the corridor, I sighed. Draco and I had been near a breakthrough, almost talking about his family in depth (which was something he never did), but then Blaise had to come and ruin everything. It felt odd to me, being so petty about something so small, considering I'm usually not that way. But here I was, sort of fantasizing about the best way to torture Blaise so he would get the message that he should never interrupt the two of us ever again.
Although I had to admit… it was sort of amusing seeing Draco all riled up.
A/N: So I know this wasn't necessarily my best work (ever), but I felt horrible about not updating and I felt the urge to write and this is what came out. I swear I will make it up to you with the next chapter. Maybe at some point in the future this chapter will be completely rewritten, for the better. But until then, I hope this is enough to make due.