Chapter 11
Draco
Draco awoke to the sound of the shower running. Smirking to himself he decided that he would return the favor to Granger. Even though he had purposely not answered when she knocked, ensuring that she would walk in on him, he still felt the need to return the favor. Besides, she had seen him in all his sex-god glory so it was only fair they he get to see what Granger was hiding beneath her overly large school robes. He got out of bed and walked over to his bathroom door, he opened it silently and was rewarded with a face full of steam. He tiptoed into the room and closed the door behind him. He could hear Granger quietly humming to herself, he smiled and hopped up onto the bathroom counter. He sat there listening to her soft singing and enjoying the heady scent of her lavender vanilla shampoo. He found himself enjoying her unaware company so much that he closed his eyes and sank back against the steamy mirror. He had almost been lulled back to sleep when the shower turned off. Draco sat back up and waited with a held breath. A slender hand snaked its way out of the shower curtain and grabbed a towel off the rack and pulled it back into the shower. 'Damn' Draco thought to himself. A moment later Granger stepped out of the shower wrapped in a big fluffy white towel, still slightly dripping. Draco plastered an mischievous grin onto his face and waited for her to notice him.
Hermione
Hermione rung the excess water from her long locks and grabbed the towel that was on the rack waiting for her outside the shower. Wrapping it around her slender form she stepped out of the shower, still humming her favorite song; Lawless Soirez by Gill Landry. (a/n: shameless plug for one of my favorite artists I know...I seem to be famous for them.) Hermione glanced up and went to wring her hair out one last time but stopped, her hands midway up to her head, she looked up slowly not believing her eyes at first. Draco sat on the counter wearing nothing but those damn sexy silk boxers and a mischievous grin.
"What the hell are you doing!!" Hermione shrieked when she finally believed her eyes.
"Returning the favor" Draco said in a husky voice.
"What!!!"
"Only I was cheated."
"Excuse me?" Hermione asked in a slightly abashed tone.
"I wasn't wearing a towel"
Hermione just sat gawking at Draco, she was at a complete loss for words. 'How dare he' Hermione thought bitterly. 'Who the hell does he think he is?!' "Are you completely mental? Its not like I meant to walk in on you! Its not as if I enjoyed seeing you naked!"
"Now, now there is no need to lie. I know you enjoyed everything you saw."
"Thats it! You have completely lost it! I am living with an insane person!!"
"Say what you will Granger but I think we both know how much you really liked it." And with that Draco jumped off of the counter and walked toward Hermione. He reached past her, grazing her arm with his own, their faces less than an inch apart. Hermione inhaled sharply with the close proximity then she heard the shower turn on behind her. Draco stood back up and smirked at the open-mouthed expression plastered on Hermione's face and dropped his boxers. Hermione became wide-eyed, she glanced down and then back up into the steely gray eyes of Draco and ran from the room.
She ran into her own room and slammed the bathroom door closed, panting heavily. 'Oh Merlin, oh Merlin, oh Merlin!' Hermione thought. 'What the bloody hell was that about! I have got to find Ginny!'. Hermione threw some clothes on, brushed her hair, grabbed her book bag and high-tailed it out of the dormitory. She had no desire whatsoever to run into Draco again that morning..at least no desire she would admit, even to herself.
Ron
Both Harry and Ron fained sleep until all the other 7th year boys had left the dormitory to head down to breakfast. When they were sure everyone had gone they rolled over in their beds to face one another.
"Morning sleepy head." Ron whispered to Harry.
"Good morning," Harry responded rather shyly.
Ron had a huge grin plastered to his freckly face that hadn't faded all night. He got up from his bed and went and laid down next to Harry. He looked into Harry's emerald eyes and leaned in to give him a good morning kiss.
"Ew morning breath!" Harry chuckled.
"Fine then. No kiss for you!" Ron joked back.
Harry grabbed the collar of Ron's shirt just as he was trying to get off the bed. Ron pretended to struggle away from Harry but in the end allowed himself to be pulled back down. They engaged in a passionate but short snog-fest before relenting to the fact that they were now late for breakfast. They got up and dressed quickly and practically ran out of the dorm.
They arrived in the great hall slightly out of breath and flushed. The boys couldn't keep their eyes off each other, which did not go unnoticed at the breakfast table. They sat down next to each other, across from Hermione who looked a bit flushed herself and piled their plates high with bacon and eggs and toast. They both ate their breakfasts in a hurry so as not to be late to class as well. They found it increasingly hard to keep the grins off their faces and only succeeded in looking like they had both developed a twitch.
"What is wrong with you two?" Hermione asked, after watching both boys twitch for awhile, while still piling food into their mouths.
"Us? Nothing. Why do you ask?" Ron responded, still trying to keep the toothy grin off his face that was trying desperately to emerge.
"Other than the fact that you both look as though you have developed a rather severe twitch overnight? I just thought it would be fun to ask."
"No need to be so snippy 'mione." Harry told her frowning. "We can't just be in good moods?"
Hermione surveyed her best friends with a furrowed eyebrow. "Whatever you say."
'Whew! Maybe she has dropped it. Not really ready to explain this one' Ron thought to himself with a sideways glance of relief at Harry.
Hermione
Hermione had not succeeded in finding Ginny, 'she must be having a "romantic" breakfast with Blake' she thought to herself. She decided that she would find her after classes that day and instead sat down to have breakfast. Her two best friends had arrived late and were acting rather weirdly but she decided that whatever was going on with them she probably didn't want to know anyway. Hermione finished her toast and decided that she would go and see Dimitri to drop off her assignment before her first class.
"I will see you guys later, I just want to go see Professor Dimitri before classes start." Hermione told Ron and Harry.
The boys looked at each other and laughed.
"What!"
"Oh nothing, say hi to Dimitri for us!" Ron mocked.
"Oh you are both so childish! I just want to give him my assignment." Hermione scoffed at the boys before turning on heel and rushing out of the Great Hall. She made it a point not to glance over at the Slytherin table so she wouldn't run the risk of catching Draco's eye which she knew were glued to her as she walked out of the Hall.
Draco
Draco had been hoping that he would catch Granger before she went down to the Great Hall for breakfast, but by the time that he had gotten out of the shower she was already gone. He dressed quickly and walked down to the Hall for his own breakfast. When he got there he noticed that Granger was sitting by herself at the Gryffindor table. 'Where is her little gang?' Draco wondered. He did not have long to ponder, however, because Harry and Ron came running into the Hall out of breath and flustered. He watched as the two sat down at the table and proceeded to twitch uncontrollably. 'What the hell is going on with them?' Draco wondered. 'There is definitely something up with them... maybe...nah it couldn't be.' Draco watched as the golden trio ate their breakfasts. He watched as Hermione jumped up and walked briskly out of the Hall, she didn't even chance a glance his way. She was playing hard to get Draco supposed. 'It only makes the game that much more fun' he thought before getting up and heading to his first class.
Hermione
Hermione knocked softly on the door to Dimitri's office. She was half hoping that he wouldn't be there and she could just slide the essay under his door and be done with it. But unfortunately he called for her to come in.
"Uh..Professor?"
"Please call me Dimitri and do come in!"
"Right then..." Hermione said as she walked in and closed the door behind her.
"Have a sit there." Dimitri said pointing to a large comfy looking armchair. "Can I offer you anything? Coffee? Tea? Butterbeer."
Hermione gave him a rather strange look, butterbeer this early? Shaking it off she responded "Er... no thanks, I just wanted to drop off my assignment."
"What is your name? I have such a problem with names."
"Hermione, Hermione Granger."
"Ah yes, I have been looking forward to properly meeting you! Cleverest witch in her year, thats what the rest of the teachers say anyway. How do you do!" Dimitri said with a flourish.
"Oh..um...thank you and I am fine thanks." Hermione responded blushing profusely.
"Now then, I am so glad that you took your time with this assignment, it means a great deal to me I assure you. I was really hoping that more students would really let me know how they feel about their Defense Against the Dark Arts education, but alas I mostly got papers with but a few lines written on them."
Hermione felt herself warming up to the new teacher immensely. He seemed to really care about their education, something she hadn't found in any other D.A.D.A. teacher except for Professor Lupin. She had taken quite a bit of time to really write down everything she felt about the subject and now she was really glad that she had taken that time. "I'm sorry for that, but what can I say except that you may have been expecting too much from a bunch of 17 year olds."
"But that is precisely why! I would think that at 17, everyone would be much more eager to learn! This is your last year and with such a grim future ahead I would think that everyone would want to learn as much as possible! Perhaps you are right though, it really is asking a bit too much." Dimitri responded in an exasperated tone.
"Sir, there are a lot of us that do take it seriously though, as for myself, I am really looking forward to a proper education." Hermione didn't add however that half of the Slytherins in the class had death eaters for parents, so learning defense against the dark arts wasn't high on their lists of priorities.
"I daresay they were right about you being the cleverest witch your age. I look forward to teaching you. Now if you will excuse me I must get ready for my coming class, and you my dear are almost late."
Hermione looked startled and glanced down at her watch, she had just enough time to get to her class before it started. "It was nice talking to you sir!" Hermione ventured as she was running for the door.
"Don't call me sir!" Dimitri called out to her, chuckling.
Draco
Draco sat in his seat in potions class staring at the door to the dungeon classroom. Class was scheduled to start in 5 minutes and Granger still had not arrived. Draco had no idea why he cared to begin with but it was rather strange for her to be late, even for potions. Just before the door to the classroom was suppose to magically swing shut Granger ran through the door and dropped into her seat next to Potter and Weasel, panting heavily.
"Nearly late." Snape growled at her.
"Yes, I'm sorry Professor, but I am here on time, even if only just." Hermione breathed.
"Five points from Gryffindor, for your cheek Granger."
Granger flushed red and looked pointedly at her desk. Draco could see Potter and Weasel talking quietly to her. Ordinarily Draco would have brought this to the attention of Snape but if he wanted his plan to go forward he had to play it cool. Draco spent the whole class staring at the back of Granger's head and wondering how best to go about trying to seduce her. He didn't even have to try to pay attention and still managed to produce a perfect potion by the end of class. Draco had always been a superior student in potions, Snape's special treatment wasn't all because of his father. Feeling very full of himself he dropped his potion off on Snape's desk and strutted out the door, bumping into Granger on the way out. He turned back to her and flashed her his sexiest smile, just enough to leave her wanting more.
"Dude, what the hell is up with you?" Draco's friend Blaise Zabini asked him.
"What are you talking about." Draco snarled at him, angry at being interrupted from his thoughts.
"Why were you staring at the mudblood like that?"
"DON'T CALL HER THAT!" Draco seethed.
"Whoa dude, calm down. What the hell man? Do you want to tell me what is bloody up with you?"
"Nothing is up with me, we just have an understanding is all."
"An understanding? What are you saying? You mean to tell me that you actually spend time with her?" Blaise asked incredulously.
"Its not what you think." Draco growled before beginning to walk off.
Blaise grabbed his shoulder and turned him back around, "Then I think you better explain it too me."
Draco glared at Blaise before relenting and leading him up the stairs to the Room of Requirement to explain their deal, and his new plan.
Hermione
Hermione watched the retreating back of Draco, he had flashed her his sexy bad-boy Slytherin smile and walked away without a word. Hermione found herself a bit flushed and breathing rather heavily. She didn't want to admit it but that boy was getting to her. He was making her feel things she never thought she would. Damn Ginny, she was right, bloody hormones. Hermione realized that she was now 10 times more confused than she had ever been in her life, Ginny and helped so much the day before Hermione decided that she would find her as soon as classes were over for the day.
Hermione breezed through the rest of her classes because her mind was on Draco not on whatever it was the teachers were trying to teach her. She had not seen him since Potions that morning, he had not been in class the rest of the day. Hermione found herself a little worried about where he was. By the end of Ancient Runes that day she was practically bouncing in her seat with the need to leave and find out what had happened to Draco. When the bell finally rang she jumped off and ran off down the hall way. As she was turning the corner to the hall that lead to her dorm she ran right into one of the people she was hoping to see; Ginny.
"OAF! Sorry Gin!" Hermione breathed, slightly out of breath.
"Hermione!! I was looking for you, I have a great idea!!"
"Have you seen Draco?"
"What?"
"Have you seen Draco? I haven't seen him since potions this morning, he wasn't in any of his other classes."
"No I haven't, but I will help you find him, that way I can tell you my great idea."
"Okay, lets check the dorm and then we can check the hospital wing and the grounds."
Meanwhile-Draco
"So basically that is the plan." Draco told Blaise, they were sitting in the Room of Requirement, that had been magically transformed into a kind of den. It had couches and a television and video games. There was a fridge full of junk food and a pool table. It was exactly what Draco and Blaise wanted, a guys room. They had been so excited when they walked into the room that the completely forgot that they were there to talk, and about their classes for the day. They had spent the rest of the day lounging about eating junk-food and playing video games. They had finally tired themselves out and had retired to the couch so that Draco could explain what was going on.
"Sorry to tell you this, but, from the sounds of it you aren't playing Hermione. It sounds like you are falling for her."
Draco reached over and punched Blaise in the shoulder, "Am not!"
"Draco, I'm your oldest friend, I know you almost as well as I know myself. You can't fool me, even if you can fool yourself into believing that you don't feel anything for her, I can see it in your eyes when you talk about her."
"You don't know what you are talking about."
"Draco listen, we both know what we were raised to be. We were both raised to hate everyone who is not pure-blood, or who doesn't think like we do, or doesn't support Him. But I have to admit, and I will deny ever saying any of this, but I think its all bullshit."
Draco stared at him, his mouth hanging open.
"You can't really believe all that pure-blood crap can you? Do I know how much you hate your father and everything he stands for, just like I hate mine. Its just you and me here, you can admit it. The way I see it is we don't choose who we love and we are not suppose too. So if you really do have feelings for Granger that I will support you, even if no one else will."
Meanwhile-Hermione
Hermione was getting exasperated, she had checked everywhere she could think of, her and Ginny were pacing the hall way where the room of requirement was. They were so caught up with not being able to find Draco that they didn't realize where they were.
"I have to find him Gin!"
"I know I know, but you have to calm down! All this pacing isn't going to do you any good.!"
"I know!!" Hermione whined. 'She doesn't understand, I need to find him!' Just as Hermione walked past the wall a third time while thinking how much she wanted to find Draco a door in the wall appeared.
"Ginny! The room of requirement! I bet you it will help us find Draco!" Hermione exclaimed before running to the door and throwing it open.
"...I will support you, even if no one else will." Hermione heard the voice of Blaise Zabini.
"I..." Draco began.
Hermione stood staring at the two boys in front of her, who stared back both with their mouths open in surprise.
"Well, when this room wants to help it sure does help." Ginny said to break the awkward silence.
Hermione shot her a look and turned back to Draco, "have you been in here all day?"
"Uh...yeah...what?" Draco mumbled.
"I said have you been in here all day? I have been worried sick!! I thought something happened to you!"
Draco and Blaise's mouths fell, if possible, even wider, and their eyes grew large. "Wait, you were worried about me?"
"Yes! Now what were you doing!" Hermione's worry had been replaced with righteous anger.
"We were...uh...just talking." Blaise ventured quietly.
Ginny had been watching the whole exchange with a look of amusement on her face, when Blaise spoke up she noticed him for the first time. He was notoriously good looking and Ginny being Ginny went and sat down next to him. Blaise looked at her questioningly but settled down to watch the exchange between Draco and Hermione with her nonetheless.
Hermione watched Ginny sit down next to Blaise, she gave her a questioning look, Ginny just strugged back, as if to say 'what? He is hot.' Hermione rolled her eyes and looked back to Draco, who now wore a very smug smile across his beautiful face.
"What!" Hermione asked when she saw the smug look on his face.
Draco
Draco knew that he could say whatever was on his mind, he knew that Blaise would always support him and he was pretty sure that considering Ginny was sitting with Blaise like she was, she probably wouldn't be telling anyone about this either.
"You're just cute when your mad. And its kind of endearing that you were worried about me." Draco said, smirking.
Hermione huffed and rolled her eyes, "You are infuriating, you know that?"
"You love it."
Hermione stood looking a bit awkward for a moment. "Well now that I know your fine and not hurt I think I will head down to dinner. Ginny you coming." Ginny looked startled, as did the two boys but got up and followed Hermione out the door. When the door and closed behind them Blaise turned to Draco.
"Told you so."
"Shove it Zabini!"
Ron
Harry and Ron sat with arms touching at the dinner table. Sitting across from them was a very bored looking Blake watching their every move. They had been trying to entertain him, but had failed miserably and had instead just sat in silence eating their dinners. After what seemed like hours Ginny and Hermione finally showed up.
"Finally! Where have you been?" Blake asked Ginny when she sat down next to him.
"Oh, just having a bit of girl talk."
"You kept me waiting for girl talk?"
"Hermione and I had something we needed to discuss."
"Oh, I'm sorry I was under the impression that you were my girlfriend, and as such I think that I should come first." Blake hissed into Ginny's ear.
"HEY! You watch how you talk to my sister!" Ron yelled at him, falling into the over-protective brother bit.
Blake glared at Ron and then Ginny and got up and stormed out of the Great Hall.
"Gin, I don't like him, I don't like him one bit! He should not be treating you like that!" Ron told her, summing up everyone at the tables feelings.
"He was just angry is all." Ginny responded looking down at her empty plate and feeling her appetite slipping away. "I think I'll just go to bed."
"I'll walk you! I don't want anything to happen to you." Ron told her.
"Oh no, you don't have to..." Ginny began but gave her brother an appreciative look.
Hermione
Hermione watched Ron and Ginny walk out of the Great Hall. As they were walking out a platnum blood boy and his dark haired friend were walking in. She noticed Blaise and Ginny smiling coyly at each other before Ron hurried her on. She looked from her red haired best friend to Draco who was staring right at her. She smiled and looked down at her still empty plate. She glanced over to Harry to see if he had noticed anything, he was however happily eating his treacle pie. Hermione piled some food onto her plate and started to eat. She couldn't keep the smile off of her face and every time she would look up she would catch Draco looking at her with a sly smile painted across his handsome features.
"I have some homework I have to finish, I'll see you later Mione?" Harry broke her train thought.
"Oh, I'm finished I'll walk out with you." Hermione took one last bite and gathered up her books. She walked out of the Hall with Harry, who was chatting her ear off with something about Quidditch. She could feel Draco's eyes on her and she chanced a glance and a smile before slipping out the door.
Blake
"We may have been wrong my Lord. I don't think the girl is the key to him. I think his interest has shifted to her brother."
"Issss that sssssso? Ahahahaaaa, there alwayssssss wassss ssssomething a bit queer about that boy. Do what you musssst, but bring me Potter."
"Yes my Lord, but what of the girl?"
"You may play with your food before devouring it, jusssst bring me Potter."
"Yes my Lord." Blake said with an evil grin and pulled his head out of the emerald green fire.
"Yes I think I will play with my food, she would be terribly fun to break." Blake said to himself before breaking out into maniacal laughter.
A/N: Isn't maniacal laughter the best? Anyway thanks for reading and please review!!!