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Chapter 10
The next day, Hermione awoke feeling rather strange. The memory of last night seemed blurry, and as she regained full consciousness, the details came into focus and she shot up in bed, disturbing Crookshanks. Merlin, she thought, clutching the duvet around her, I kissed Draco Malfoy! And I liked it! As much as she wanted to deny it, Hermione had enjoyed every moment of that embrace, and the thought of his lips upon hers made her smile involuntarily. Giggling, she stroked Crookshanks and lay back down on her bed, enjoying the freedom of a Sunday morning.
It wasn't until nine-thirty that Hermione eventually headed downstairs, greeting the students with a big grin upon her face. Entering the Great Hall, Hermione spotted Draco just ahead about to sit down at the table. She was close enough to hear his conversation as he strolled past a professor she didn't recognise.
"Morning," he murmured, watching the woman warily.
"Hello," the witch replied shortly. She was small and middle-aged but seemed to have kept in good shape. Her mousy brown hair was tied into a loose plait at the nape of her neck, and a pince-nez was perched on the bridge of her nose.
Taken aback at the cold greeting, Draco made sure to sit a couple of seats away. He had heard from his students that she wasn't the friendliest of professors. He looked up and was pleased to see Hermione coming over to join him. He pretended not to notice as she sat next to the supply professor, but couldn't help peeking over his arm to see how she would react to the woman's responses.
"Hello, I don't believe we've met," Hermione said brightly, holding out her hand. "I'm Professor Granger, Hermione Granger."
"Yes, yes, I know who you are. It's hard not to." The woman peered up at her through her pince-nez with a slight sneer and didn't bother to take the offered hand. "I'm Professor Hubbard, replacing Professor Weaver for now."
"Right," Hermione let her hand fall but still sat down beside her. "How long do you think you'll be here?"
"As long as I need to be." Was the frosty reply.
Hermione didn't know whether to scream or slap the woman across the face. What was wrong with her? "Do you like it?"
"Here?" Professor Hubbard turned to look at her with disdain. "Not particularly."
"And why is that?" Hermione was beginning to lose patience.
"I find it rather insulting when some people manage to get jobs purely because of their celebrity status."
Hermione bristled. "Excuse me, Professor Hubbard, but I assure you that if Minerva did not find me perfectly qualified for the job she wouldn't have hired me. And if," Hermione continued, getting even more riled up as Professor Hubbard attempted to interrupt her. "If you dare suggest that Harry and Ron have blagged their way into the Auror department at the Ministry, you are sorely mistaken! Not to mention everyone else who just happened to help defeat Voldemort and now have respectable jobs!"
Professor Hubbard looked so outraged at Hermione's outburst, that she got to her feet and scurried further down the table.
Fuming, her previous happy mood dissolved, Hermione turned to open a yoghurt which promptly spurted its contents all over her robes. She glared down at the goo staining her clothing. "Bloody hell!"
Draco's shoulders were bouncing up and down with suppressed laughter and he leaned over the empty chair between them: "You have outdone yourself."
"Oh, be quiet!" She snapped, siphoning the mess off her robes. She took a deep breath and glared at Draco. "That woman is absolutely crazy!"
Draco, who tried to not take Hermione's tone personally, nodded. "I was waiting for you to find out."
"I didn't think someone could be so – so rude and bitter!" Hermione clenched her spoon as she looked down the table to where the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor was sat. "What on earth made Minerva hire that daft bat?"
Draco shrugged at a complete loss. "I have no idea. I think people may still feel the job is jinxed or something." He sighed. "It'll be good to get a decent professor in eventually."
Her posture relaxed as she suddenly mumbled: "Like Lupin," She shook her head, the grief inside her dispelling the anger. "Ugh, so awful."
Draco suddenly felt extremely awkward. He had openly expressed his scorn for Remus Lupin back in third year and now regretted his actions. Lupin had been an excellent professor, as much as he hated to admit it back then, and he whole-heartedly agreed with Hermione about his death. It didn't even make a difference if he had been a werewolf or not anymore. Sure, it had been a little alarming at first, but that didn't make him any worse than the rest of the people who died. Just another one of my stupid prejudices that I've been brought up on, Draco thought bitterly. What a waste of a life, or rather, lives. He bit his lip as his thoughts trailed back to the many who had died in order to defeat Voldemort – all of those were wasted lives. None of them deserved to be less valued than the next.
"Sorry," Hermione glanced at him.
"What for?"
"Well, you never really liked him, did you?" Hermione said slowly, almost regretting her words immediately once they'd left her mouth.
"How can you say that?" Draco fumed, clenching his fists. "I was a kid, Hermione; brought up under the regime of my father to believe that anyone or anything less than a Pureblood was a waste of space!"
"Y-you're right, I'm sorry, I don't know why I said that." She stammered nervously, edging further away in her chair.
"I don't know either!" He hissed, his eyes narrowing. "I thought you knew better than to judge me. Do any of the past four months mean anything to you? Does last night?" He leaned further over the empty chair as he spoke. "How could you say something like that to me?"
She gulped, and got up from her chair. "I'm sorry, I'll go and I'll talk to you later on." Not glancing back, Hermione left the Great Hall in a hurry, guilt seeping into her heart. Stupid, stupid girl! She chided herself mentally and paused in a deserted corridor to gather her thoughts. Why in Merlin's name did she say that? Draco was completely right – she had no place to criticise him in his actions which had been drummed into him since birth. There was no doubt that she had to apologise to him, and she resolved to stand outside the Great Hall until he came back out.
Hermione wandered the few metres back towards the entrance and shifted from foot to foot, nervously waiting for him to appear. Students trickled out at different times, relishing the fact they didn't have any classes to go to, and Hermione jumped every time she saw a tall, blond haired man. It seemed Draco was deliberately taking his time, or he had already left the Great Hall and Hermione had missed him. She peeked around the large door frame and her eyes fell onto a very familiar chest. Flicking them up to his face, she saw him regard her with a little confusion, before a cold mask hid his features.
"Yes?"
"Draco, I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry." She implored, waving her hands around her head. "I don't know why I said it – it was very immature and judgemental and cruel and mean and-"
"It's alright, Granger, I get it." Draco interrupted her flow, still not displaying any kind of emotion.
She swallowed, noticing that he had referred to her by her surname. Did that mean …? Oh, Merlin, it couldn't mean that he didn't want anything to do with her anymore, could it? "Granger?" she repeated stupidly.
"Yes, Granger. That's your last name, right?" He asked sardonically, beginning to walk away.
"B-but – but what about Hermione?"
"I can call you Granger when I'm pissed with you, okay?" He whirled around, eyes flashing angrily, albeit not as furious as before. "Is that alright, your highness?"
"Okay," she replied meekly, not daring to follow him. "I'm sorry!"
"I know," he called back, disappearing down towards the dungeons.
Hermione sighed, feeling slightly better than she did five minutes previously, but nothing compared to her mood when she had woken up. Today was just a mess, she decided gloomily. If only Hagrid were here, she would go down and talk to the half-giant. Sighing, she wandered back towards her quarters, her thoughts filled with nothing but Draco Malfoy.
The next few weeks passed by quickly without incident, and before long it was the first Quidditch match of the season - Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff. She had decided to go along to a couple of the practices in the week and was confident that they had this match in the bag. Of course, the seeker – and also Captain – was nothing on Harry, but he had the newest version of the Firebolt and it was extremely fast. So it was with assurance on the Saturday morning that Hermione headed down to the pitch, making sure to keep away from Pomona Sprout.
Professor Flitwick was just expressing his excitement for the match when she caught Draco's figure up ahead, walking alone towards the stands. He had remained cold and aloof to her since her stupid comment, and it was getting to the point where Hermione didn't know what else she could do. She had apologised over and over again, and he still seemed to avoid her whenever she came near him. She was beginning to find it a little immature, and if he didn't pull himself together soon, she was going to repeat the stunt she pulled in third year. Maybe not so violently, but she needed to get his attention!
Hermione joined the professors up in the stands and positioned herself so she was sitting directly behind Draco. She would try and annoy him in some way or another during the game. Her attention, however, was captured when the players strolled onto the pitch, shielding their eyes against the unusual glare of the October sun. She hooted loudly once the balls were released and Madam Hooch had signalled the beginning of the match.
"And they're off! Diggle of Hufflepuff whacking a Bludger straight towards Sam Briar, Gryffindor's seeker!"
The commentator, Hermione noticed with amusement, was Jimmy from her seventh year Transfiguration class. With a wry smile, Hermione remembered Lee Jordan's humorous and completely biased comments during the Quidditch matches when he was there.
"- Lloyd chucks the Quaffle to Andrews, Emmerson tries to block Andrews, ANDREWS SCORES! Ten points to Gryffindor!" Jimmy yelled, punching the air triumphantly. He didn't try to hide his satisfaction for his House taking the lead.
Hermione cheered and yelled for her House, accidently on purpose knocking her hand into Draco's head, who seemed to just stand there and watch, appearing incredibly bored.
"Excuse me," he growled, turning around to face Hermione. When he realised who it was, he clenched his jaw and whirled back to face the game and ignored her for the rest of the match.
In the next ten minutes, Hermione groaned as Hufflepuff secured three goals, making the score thirty-ten. They had to win this game to give them a good lead for the rest of the season! Her eyes kept moving to the back of Draco's head, however, and he didn't seem to have moved an inch.
Suddenly, "Has Briar spotted the Snitch?" Jimmy yelled excitedly as a blur of red and gold sped past the stands, extracting an 'Ooooh' from the crowd. "Unfortunately, none of the brooms out here are a match for the new Firebolt, not even its old model. Hamley is going to be lucky if he catches up with Briar!"
Hermione snorted. That was an understatement. Hamley was far behind Briar who was speeding towards the ground now, hand outstretched ready to –
"And he's done it! Sam Briar has caught the Snitch! One-hundred-and-sixty points to thirty! Unlucky Hufflepuff!" Jimmy crowed, earning a large scowl from Professor Sprout.
Hermione clapped loudly and beamed down at the team who were waving their broomsticks in the air triumphantly.
"Congratulations, Hermione." Minerva said, giving her a true smile. "I expect to see Gryffindor win the Quidditch Cup this year." She added in a hushed whisper as Professor Sprout was approaching with a sour smile.
"Well done," she said stiffly, offering Hermione a handshake.
Hermione took it, trying to look as if the win didn't faze her. "Thank you, Pomona. It was a good game."
The woman waddled away with a curt nod and Hermione was surprised to see Draco standing near her, as if he was waiting to speak to her.
"Congratulations on your first win!" Squeaked Professor Flitwick, "But I hope to beat you when we play!"
Hermione laughed and then turned to Draco, taking a deep breath. The stands around them emptied and soon, they were the last around the pitch, with a few stragglers making their way slowly back towards the castle. "Everything okay?" She asked hesitantly.
"Not really." He replied drily.
"Oh," Hermione looked away, shuffling her feet.
"Er, sorry about earlier. I don't know what came over me." Draco said hurriedly, scratching the back of his head the way he did when he was nervous.
She raised an eyebrow. "Earlier? Draco, you've practically been ignoring me for the past three weeks. What's been going on?"
"I have?" He asked, genuinely surprised.
"Don't play dumb," she warned, placing her hands on her hips. "You've probably spoken to me about three times this past week. I know I upset you about what I said, and I apologised, many times, but the ball is in your court."
"Sorry?" he seemed confused by the Muggle expression.
"It means it's up to you now," she waved a hand impatiently. "I think you've been acting quite immature about the whole situation. I would have thought you'd moved on by now and we'd be back to normal."
"Hermione, I'm fine with you. I have no idea what you're talking about!" Draco said earnestly. "I know I may have been acting a little off recently," Hermione snorted, "but I didn't mean to … alienate you."
"You've done just that, Draco." She shook her head. "What's happened?"
He looked down and shoved a hand into his robes before pulling out a crumpled piece of parchment. He offered it to her. "Read it."
Curious, Hermione gently unfolded the letter and began to read.
Draco,
It has come to our concern that the Muggle-born Hermione Granger is working at Hogwarts with you. While we are unhappy about you working there, we have begun to understand that it is something you enjoy. This may seem strange to you, but your father and I have discussed this at great length, and we have come to the conclusion that it would be a very good idea if you are seen with her. Although we were supporting the Dark Lord for a very long time until the Final Battle, your father and I deeply regret ever being involved with him and we see how it has damaged your life. This is why we think it will be a great boost to the Malfoy name if you appear to be civil with one of the 'Golden Trio'.
Best wishes,
Your parents.
Hermione wordlessly handed the parchment back to Draco who glanced at her with a worried expression. He put it back into his pocket and leant on the railing of the stand, staring out into the pitch.
"So, they don't speak to you for about two years and then write a letter saying that?" Hermione ran a hand through her hair. "I don't get it."
"I'm sorry," he mumbled.
"It's not your fault, Draco!" Hermione said, amazed that he thought it was. "Excuse me for saying, but your family have apparently seen the error of their ways, but are still using me to benefit your family name!"
"They're Slytherins." He muttered, not looking back at her. "I sent them a letter in return."
"What did you say?" She dreaded the answer.
"'Stay out of my social life. Draco.' I wonder how they'll take it." He added with a hint of amusement to his voice.
Hermione breathed a silent sigh of relief and joined him at the railing. "So, these past three weeks, you haven't been annoyed with me?"
"No," he shook his head and hung it low. "I received the letter a couple of days after your incessant apologising on that Sunday and it's been bothering me ever since. I didn't mean to be so offhand."
"It's okay … just tell me what's happened next time before I get all paranoid." She squeezed his shoulder comfortingly. "It'll be okay."
He smiled sadly. "I hope so."
Hermione's stomach suddenly rumbled loudly. "Oh, yeah, food."
Draco laughed. "It's half-past one. We better grab some before it goes!" She turned to go but he grabbed her by the wrist. "I never actually said 'congratulations'. So …"
He bent his head towards hers and gave her a soft kiss. It wasn't like their first – this was much gentler and conveyed his apology better than he did in words.
Hermione pulled away after several minutes, blushing. "Someone might see us, and I'm really hungry."
Hermione had a new spring in her step when she walked the corridors of Hogwarts. She seemed to be in such a good mood all the time that even her students began to notice, most notably her sixth and seventh years. Winning the first Quidditch game of the season didn't help either. After her quick 'congratulatory kiss' on the stands, they had had lunch and headed back towards Hermione's quarters, stealing another smooch in a deserted corridor which quickly turned into a passionate make-out session, and they had almost been interrupted by Filch stomping down the corridor with Mrs Norris glaring at them with her wide eyes. They had resolved to try and keep their relationship as quiet as possible, for as long as possible. That, however, was going to be tough considering they kept sending each other sneaky looks and snorting into whatever was in front of them, receiving very wary glances from onlookers.
It was one afternoon, the day before Halloween, Hermione was questioned by a sixth year girl whom she was rather fond of. Georgia Drewer, a red-haired Ravenclaw, raised her hand three-quarters of the way through the lesson after Hermione began humming to herself.
"Yes, Georgia." Hermione smiled warmly at the girl.
"Professor, excuse me for asking, but are you – are you pregnant?" Several other students broke into hurried whispers at the bluntness of the question, but also because they had also been wondering the same thing.
"No!" Hermione replied, laughing. "What makes you say that?"
"Well," Georgia shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "It's just that you seem awfully happy all the time and you seem to be … glowing."
A couple of the other sixth years sniggered.
"Georgia, I assure you I am not pregnant, and I don't plan to be anytime soon. As for my happiness … well, I'm allowed to be happy, right?" Hermione challenged her, smirking.
Georgia blushed and looked down at the textbook they were working through. "Of course, I'm sorry, Professor."
"It's no problem," Hermione winked, and settled back into her chair.
"Is it a man, then?" Georgia suddenly blurted out, a few minutes later.
At this, Hermione licked her lips before smiling pleasantly. "It could well be."
One of the other girls in Ravenclaw, Annabella, clapped her hands excitedly. "Ooh, Professor, please say? Is it someone in the school? Is it -" she glanced at Georgia and they both giggled. "Is it Professor Malfoy?" Annabella finished in a hushed whisper.
A couple of the boys groaned and turned back to their work, bored with the conversation once it turned to love interests.
Hermione tried to appear as affronted as possible. "Excuse me? Why on earth would you think that, Annabella? Our relationship is strictly professional."
"We've heard rumours."
"Rumours?" Hermione asked, injecting surprise into her voice. "And what do these rumours say?"
"That you've been …" Annabella broke off and bit her lip. "Don't think me bad saying this, Professor."
"I take it all in stride." Hermione said gently.
"Well, they say that you've been kissing and stuff, like, everywhere." She finally said awkwardly.
Hermione's stomach convulsed nervously, although only part of what Annabella had said was true. Yes, they had been kissing, but it wasn't everywhere. Only in deserted corridors, outside their quarters and occasionally in the empty staffroom. Maybe those corridors weren't as empty as they had thought … Hermione gripped the desk as she spoke. "Rumours are rumours, Annabella. Don't believe everything you hear."
"So it's not true?" Georgia asked, looking disappointed. "You'd look so cute together."
Hermione had to bite her lip to stop herself from laughing. "Thanks, Georgia, but there's nothing going on. Now, would you all return to your work, please?"
The two girls reluctantly picked up their quills, but not without Annabella whispering: "He's so fit, though."
Yes, yes he is. Hermione mused to herself, trying to focus on the marking she had to complete in front of her. She sighed as another first year had put the incorrect definition of a switching spell. Unhappily, she gave the paper a solid P. Was it silly that she felt guilty in giving bad grades? She remembered Professor Snape who seemed to relish handing out dismal marks, unless that was just to her, Ron, Harry and Gryffindors in general.
The rest of the lesson passed in silence with no more awkward questions, and Hermione breathed a sigh of relief when the bell rang.
"No homework for this lesson, but we'll be starting some new stuff on Monday!" Hermione called out as the students left, eager to have lunch.
She had just finished packing up her things when there was a light knock on the door. Looking up, she beamed when Draco entered and closed the door behind him.
"Hello," he came to stand in front of her desk.
"You shouldn't really be here!" She peeked over his shoulder at the door. "There's a rumour going around the school that we're together!"
"Well, that's true." He said, not really seeing the problem.
Hermione's mouth opened a little, whilst inside her heart leapt with joy. It was the first time that he had openly said that they were some kind of couple. Her lips twitched as she fought them from turning into a goofy smile. She tried to say, as steadily as possible, "Really?"
"Yes," He looked genuinely puzzled as he sat on her desk, blond hair falling over his forehead. "What's the problem, Hermione?"
"It's just all," she took a deep breath, "so sudden and unbelievable. I mean, this past month has passed so quickly and … I just can't believe it."
Draco lifted his mouth in a half smile. "I have to say, I can. It's very believable to me."
Hermione's heart swelled inside her and she felt her eyes begin to prick with tears. She looked down quickly, fastening her bag even though it was already tied firmly shut.
"Hermione?" He tried to look under her hair to see her face. "What's the matter?"
"Nothing!" She said, blinking away the tears. She looked up and smiled. "I'm fine."
There was a sudden knock at the door and Draco leapt off the desk, clearing his throat. Minerva McGonagall stepped into the classroom, gave Draco an appraising look before turning to Hermione.
"I daresay you know both your Houses are playing each other in a week's time." Minerva began and when they both nodded she carried on. "But also, I have decided that this year we will host another Yule Ball, considering the one we had several years ago was a big success."
Hermione nodded but was slightly perplexed as to why she was telling them this.
"The professors, as per tradition, organise the event, but this year," Minerva paused at this moment, gauging their reactions before carrying on. "I would like you both to sort it out."
Draco blanched. "Headmistress, you want Hermione and I to organise the ball on our own?"
"Yes," she replied curtly. "It will not only promote house unity amongst the students, but also show that school grudges do not last … evidently."
Hermione sighed, "We'll do it, Minerva."
"Thank you, Hermione," McGonagall smiled whilst Draco glared at her with outrage. "I'll leave you to it, then."
"Hermione!" Draco hissed, once the headmistress had left the room. "How could you agree to this? We can't organise this on our own! And promoting house unity," he scoffed, "it's preposterous!"
Hermione shrugged. "She wasn't going to let it go, Draco. She would have found a way to make us do it." She sent him a sympathetic look. "Anyway, we'll be fine. Your summer ball was wonderful."
Draco scowled. "Yeah, but all I had to do was hire a band and shove a marquee up in the garden. House elves did all the food. We can't exactly do that here."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "We have house-elves here, Draco. Look, let's go to lunch and think about it another time. All I know for now is that it will be held on the 21st of December."
Draco paused in his sulking to look momentarily surprised. "How do you know that?"
"It's the winter solstice this year."
"Oh." Draco seemed stumped and Hermione took that as a chance to leave the classroom and head for the Great Hall. "Wait!"
Hermione grimaced as he caught up with her and they continued on. "Draco, is this really a good idea with that rumour circulating?"
He shrugged, not seeming to care.
She carried on in a worried voice. "It's not professional to have a relationship in a workplace – this could really complicate things!" She added in a low hiss as a first year ambled past them.
"I think Minerva already knows," he said.
"What?" She shrieked, causing the first year to look back round, scared.
"Well, you saw her when she came in." Draco didn't need to explain. Hermione remembered the all too pointed stare she gave when she looked at them both. "I don't think she minds, to be honest."
"Even so," Hermione snapped, stopping outside the Great Hall doors. "We still can't let everyone know! We should go in separately." She added as an afterthought.
Draco rolled his eyes and sauntered into the Great Hall, finding a place up at the professor's table, avoiding Professor Hubbard completely. Unfortunately, Minerva still hadn't found a willing replacement for Jack Weaver who didn't believe they were going to die after a year. A few minutes later, Hermione joined him at the table, sending the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor a dark look.
"I can't stand that woman," She said in a hushed whisper. "She's almost as bad as Umbridge!"
"That's a bit extreme, don't you think?" Draco paled.
"No. Eric Ernest was put in detention for a week for giving in homework a quarter of an inch off the required length." Hermione said angrily. "She's a nightmare."
"Hopefully she'll be gone soon," he said, flexing his long fingers. "Or I'll do something about it."
"Draco!" Hermione laughed and slapped him lightly on the arm.
"Hey! I thought you said we can't have any contact!" Draco teased. "That reminds me; I got a reply from my parents."
"Oh really? What did it say?"
"'We hope you haven't befriended the young lady. We're doing this for your best interests.'" He rolled his eyes and clenched his jaw. "I sent them back a letter saying something which shouldn't be repeated."
"Oh, Draco," Hermione sighed heavily. "Don't become … estranged from your parents over this."
"They wouldn't do that, don't worry. They need me so someone will carry on the Malfoy lineage." He laughed bitterly.
She placed a gentle hand on his forearm which was hidden from view. "It'll come together, don't worry."
"I hope so, Hermione. I really do."
Hi guys, so sorry for the long wait! But it's up now and chapter 11 should be following in the next couple of days! I'm currently writing chapter 12 so we should be back to normal after that! Hope you've all had great summers and, if you've had results, I hope they were what you wanted! Please review - it honestly makes my day!