Draco stood in the Headmaster's office in his best suit, waiting for his parents to arrive, silently thanking Dumbledore for letting him have it to himself for the first few minutes of the meeting. He wasn't too thrilled at their visit, but it was nothing compared to what Hermione's reaction had been.
"Transfer!" she yelled in the Room of Tutoring. "To Durmstrang? Are your parents nuts!"
"I've wondered that a lot," Draco said. "Now I'm seriously considering it."
Hermione paced in front of the bed, biting her lip and turning sharply on her heel. She'd been pacing for the past half hour; since the moment she'd gotten into the room and heard the news. "This is terrible," she said, pacing faster.
Draco reached out and grabbed her elbows, making her stop in front of him. "Stop," he said. "You'll wear a whole into the rug and you're making me dizzy."
"But this is horrible," she said, her eyes meeting his. "If you transfer to Durmstrang, I won't be able to tutor you. You'll slip on your training. Not to mention, what if you and Vladimir become room mates? He'll eat you alive!"
Draco bristled at the mention of the idiot. "You saying I can't take care of myself?" he asked.
Hermione shook her head. "No," she said. "That's not what I meant. I mean, what if he thinks we're more than friends? What if he makes you stop writing to me and I never hear from you again and-"
"Hermione!" Draco said, reaching up and catching her face between his palms. "Calm. Down. I'll be fine. My parents won't transfer me anywhere. I'm staying at Hogwarts."
"But you can't guarantee that," she said softly.
"Well, I am," he said. "I promise that I won't go anywhere."
She sank down onto the bed next to him, and wrapped her arms around him. "I don't care if I sound clingy," she said, her voice muffled from where she pressed her face into his shirt. "But I don't want you to leave. You're my best friend. I'd die if you weren't here to make me smile."
Draco held her and rubbed his cheek against the top of her head. "I always like making you smile," he said. "And I promise that I won't let my parents send me to Durmstrang."
Hermione nodded and Draco caught the fragrance of her vanilla shampoo. They'd fallen asleep like that, as they usually did.
Draco heard a rustling of cloaks and snapped back to reality. He turned from where he stood and watched as his mother and father emerged from the fireplace. They were dressed in their best robes of silk and velvet. His father's tie was impeccable, as always, and his mother didn't have a hair out of place. She smiled at him, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Hello, dear," she said, walking over to him and air kissing his cheek.
"Mother," he said, nodding his head respectively.
"Draco," Lucius said, nodding in his direction.
"Father," Draco nodded back.
"You received out owl, I am to assume," Lucius said.
"Yes, sir," Draco answered. "May I ask as to the suddenness of wanting to transfer me?"
Lucius helped his wife into a chair and said, "We've received a few letters, Draco. About some of the people you've been associating with."
Draco felt his heart stop for a second. "Oh?" he asked, sounding as if it didn't interest him in the slightest.
"Yes," Narcissa said, speaking up. "It's been said you were seen in the presence of the young Granger Miss." She looked up and asked him to explain with her eyes.
"Who told you that?" Draco asked, giving nothing away in his stance or posture.
"Is it true?" Lucius asked firmly.
Narcissa smiled, ignoring the question her husband had asked. "I've heard that Blaise has a sponsor to become an Agent in the Field," she said, changing the subject. "Do you happen to know who his sponsor is?"
Draco turned to his mother. "Actually, Mother," he said. "Barcus Granger is his sponsor."
Lucius's posture grew stiff, but Narcissa didn't move. "Good for him," she said.
"What?" Lucius asked, looking at his wife as if she'd lost her mind.
She met his gaze with her calm one. "Barcus Granger and his brother Andrew are the best in the Field. The best is good enough for pure blood boys, are they not, dear?"
Lucius, matched with his own belief, nodded dumbly.
Draco took the chance, then, to answer his father's question. "If that's the case," he said. "I...I must tell you that I have been having some tutoring for a class."
Lucius turned to his son. "You should be studying more, instead of chasing after all the girls in your house," he said.
Seriously, did his father think he did that every second? He hadn't chased any girl since tutoring with Hermione. "I have been studying, Father," Draco said, trying to control his temper.
"Who's your tutor, dear?" Narcissa asked, still smiling softly.
Draco turned to her, not wanting to see the look on his father's face. "Hermione Granger," he said.
"What!" Lucius yelled. "My son needs tutoring from a filthy mudblood?"
"Actually," a voice said from the door. "I wash regularly, Mr. Malfoy."
Draco turned and almost smiled. Hermione stood at the door. She had a soft smile on, not at all upset at what Lucius had called her a moment ago. Draco ran his gaze over her. She wore a light white summer dress that fluttered slightly below her knees, a black shawl draped around her elbows, and a pair of wedge sandals. Her hair was curled and pinned back with a couple of green ribbons. She was a vision of spring.
Hermione stepped into the room and said, "And Draco is my most promising student. Very quick minded and analytic. He's the perfect gentleman during every session, as well."
"Who are you?" Lucius asked. He looked down his nose at her, putting on the air of superiority.
She smiled at the adults and said, "Oh, how rude of me. I apologize. I'm Hermione Granger, Mr. Malfoy."
"And do you always dress as such everyday?" Lucius asked.
Hermione giggled. "No, sir," she said. "I'm attending a Quidditch match today at the request of Viktor Krum. We are good friends and I haven't seen him play in a while. I came to notify Headmaster Dumbledore of my leaving. I didn't know that you were using his office. If you'll excuse me," she turned, starting to leave, but paused, as if remembering something. She turned back and said, "Would you care to join me?"
Lucius looked like he would rather Crucio himself. Narcissa, though, smiled and stood. "I would love to join you, Ms. Granger," she said. "It's been ages since I've been to a Quidditch game. We can discuss Draco's transfer some other time."
Hermione tilted her head to the side, as if hearing the news for the first time. "Draco is transferring?" she asked. Draco had to applaud her acting skills.
"We believe that he would do better at Durmstrang," Lucius said, as if it were the only 'logical' choice for their pure blood son.
Hermione's lips turned into an 'O' before she said, "That's interesting. I know some people in Durmstrang. Friends of my brothers. They might be able to secure a spot for your son."
Draco stared at her, completely bewildered behind his carefully emotionless mask. What was this? She'd said she didn't want him to leave and here she was, helping his parents out? What was she planning. At least she'd stunned his father into silence by the offer.
Narcissa smiled. "That's very nice of you," she said. "But extending your offer to the Quidditch match is enough." She smoothed her skirt and stood. "Shall we go?"
Hermione smiled and nodded. "Of course, Mrs. Malfoy," she said. She walked over to the fireplace and threw in some Floo. "We're going to the Bulgarian Quidditch Field," she said, walking into the flames. She vanished and Draco was quick to be the next one to leave.
He quickly spotted Hermione brushing some soot off her dress a few feet away from the fireplace. He walked over before his parents showed up, and said, "What is your plan?"
She smiled at him and said, "To dazzle your parents by who I know. They'll want you to be around me, hoping that you'll socialize with those same people. Then, no transfer and you won't get yelled at for hanging with a Granger."
Draco was about to say something, but his parents showed up, then. They stepped out of the fireplace and joined them near the stairs leading to the booths surrounding the field. Hermione smiled and said, "We'll be in the best box; Viktor's personal box." She turned and started walking up the stairs. Draco followed, hoping her plan would work.
And it seemed to. Every few steps, Hermione was greeted by different wizards and witches. In just the few first levels they'd been greeted by three famous fashion designers asking how she liked the clothes they'd sent her, and complimented on her outfit; six Ministry officials who asked if she was still interested in interning with them; two Quidditch coaches from other teams who asked to send their regards toward her brothers for the equipment that had recently been delivered to them; a couple who were the best spell breakers in the country, asking if her triplet brothers had gotten into anymore trouble; a few international officials from overseas there for the game and glad to see her again; and a few Durmstrang students accompanied with their Headmaster who all said they wished they could see her more. Of course, each person had also smiled, hugged or kissed her cheek, asked about her family, been introduced to the Malfoys, and then said that she must visit them. By the time they reached their box, Draco could see the cogs in his father's head turn. Hermione's connections were something anyone could envy. His father might look over her blood status for even half of the connections.
The box was decorated in the Bulgarian colors, the floor covered in velvet and the chairs clad in silk. It also had the best view. Not too high or too low to miss anything. No, it was right in the middle, giving the perfect vantage point for them. Even Draco was surprised at it. During his fourth year, his family had been in the Minister's box, but hadn't had this view. Hermione smiled and walked to the railing.
"You do know a lot of people, Ms. Granger," Lucius said.
She smiled and said, "Call me 'Hermione', Mr. Malfoy. And they're all dear friends." A trumpet sounded and they all lined up against the railing, Draco taking a spot next to Hermione.
The Bulgarian Quidditch team flew from their team's gate. They soared up into the air, lead by Viktor Krum. After making a loop around the top, they flew by their box. Viktor saluted Hermione, his team copying his action, which only made Hermione laugh and return the action. It impressed Lucius, though, Draco saw. Throughout the game, Hermione and Draco cheered the Bulgarians on, joined, surprisingly, by Narcissa. As Hilda Vanderbilt caught the snitch, she stopped by their box and smiled.
"Knew you'd win," Hermione said as Hilda pumped her fist in the air, showing off the snitch.
Hilda laughed. "Is because you are here, Hermy-own-ninny," she said with the same accent as Viktor. "You vill come to the wedding?" She reached into her robe and pulled out a ivory colored envelope.
Hermione opened it and scanned the lettering. "You're marrying Viktor?" she said, looking up. "I'm so happy for you, Hilda. Of course I'll be there. Just don't wear him out for games, okay?"
Hilda laughed again. "Ya," she said. "Is vhat coach said, too." She raised her hand again and said, "Bye, Hermy-own-ninny." She then flew away.
Draco smiled slightly as he spotted the look on his father's face. Hermione's plan had worked. No way Lucius could pass up having his son be friends with someone who had gotten a wedding invitation to Viktor Krum and Hilda Vanderbilt's wedding, hand delivered by the bride herself! He'd have to be daft. Draco knew the plan worked by his father's, "Maybe we shouldn't send Draco off to Durmstrang."
Narcissa looked at her husband. "What caused this change?' she asked, though it sounded like she already knew.
"It is clear that Draco has a good friend in Ms. Granger- I mean, Hermione," he said. "It might cause his grades to worsen if he were to transfer to a new school, so late in the school year, and with no one he knows. Yes, I believe that Draco should remain at Hogwarts and continue his studying with Hermione."
Draco looked at Hermione and they exchanged a smile. Narcissa nodded, a smile still on her face. "Well," she said. "It's getting late. I believe we should leave, Lucius." She turned and took Hermione's hands. "Hermione, I have had the best time. Thank you so much for inviting us. You know, I think you should come visit us during Easter Break. Would your parents allow that? I'd like to get to know you a bit more."
Hermione looked shocked for a moment, but smiled brightly, genuinely, and said, "I would love to, Mrs. Malfoy."
"Oh, call me 'Cissy'," she said. She turned to Lucius and said, "Shall we go, dear? I'm sure Draco can escort Hermione back to Hogwarts safely."
Lucius offered his wife his arm and said, "It was a pleasure meeting you, Hermione." With that, the two left.
The moment he was sure they were gone, Draco sighed and hugged Hermione. "Genius," he said. "You used my father's greed against him."
Hermione laughed and pulled back to smile up at him. "And I like your mom," she said. "She's smarter than you give her credit for, Draco. Cissy is a sneaky one. I didn't fool her for a moment."
Draco shook his head. "I don't care. I'm not transferring and leaving you," he said.
Hermione smiled and hugged him. She pulled back after a few seconds, then pulled him out of the box. "Let's celebrate," she said.
"Poker, popcorn, and tea?" Draco guessed as they stepped up to the fireplaces.
Hermione nodded. "The only way to celebrate this," she said, tossing some Floo powder into the fireplace.
AN: So, what do you think? I know they're a bit OOC, but, hey, Lucius is pretty close to how he would act in this AU, don't you think? And you know Narcissa is way smarter than people think. So, tell me what you think.