Anyways, I don't really like this chapter, but I had to connect the events somehow. Tell me what you think. ;)
"So", Blaise teased, "you don't make Crabbe and Goyle to beat people instead of you anymore." Draco smiled. He still felt adrenaline rush he had earlier that day, when he punched Weasley. It was so good.
"The thing is, mate, that I did that for Hermione. I am the one supposed to take care of her, not Crabbe or Goyle."
"Wow, Draco Malfoy is being sensitive. Who would think of that?" Both of the boys laughed.
"I'll see you when you fell in love. That is, unless you already haven't", he winked at his roommate. Blaise winced at his words. His posture stiffed, and when he spoke, his voice went up for an octave.
"I don't know what you are talking about."
"Busted! I knew it."
"Knew what?"
"Aw, come on mate, no need to be that stubborn. I know you so well. I've seen the way you look at her."
"Well, that's only because we spend every day together, and in order to give you and Mia some privacy, we just…"
"Who said I was talking about Daphne?" Draco said with a grin. Blaise froze.
"Kidding, mate, just kidding. There's nothing wrong with that. I actually think you'll make a great couple. Of course", he winked, "not greater than me and Hermione, but still…"
Blaise leaned in his chair to punch Draco lightly in the arm. Blonde boy just laughed, and stood up, emptying his glass of drink.
"Anyway, I'm sure you'll have a lot of things to talk about tonight."
"What are you saying?"
"Oh, I forgot to mention it? Yeah, Daph is sleeping here tonight. Have a great time", he smiled, as he exited the room. "Draco Malfoy, you are so dead", echoed through the corridor behind him.
xxxxx
"Poor Blaise", Hermione laughed as Draco told her his conversation with their friend. Ha was lying on her bed, while she was brushing her hair. "You are an animal."
"Hey!" He protested, half-amused. "I just tried to help my friends."
"Sure you have", she winked. "I just don't want Daphne to get hurt." She confessed.
Draco straightened up in bed, looking at his girlfriend solemnly. "You know Blaise would never do anything to hurt her."
"I do. I just think that, in order for this not to work, it would ruin their friendship."
"You were never concerned what would happen if our relationship didn't work."
She climbed on the bed and sat on top of him. Pulling is arms above his head, she leaned forward and purred in his ear.
"You were never my friend."
"Is that so?"
"Mhm", she teased. She bit his ear, and then moved down to his jaw and neck. He moaned. She released his arms and he instantly grabbed her around her waist, pulling her closer to him. "And what were we?" He asked, their lips only inches apart.
"Enemies", she panted, "that shagged whenever they could."
Draco turned suddenly, lying on top of her. Her breathing was harsh as she stroked his hair, pulling his face to hers.
"And now I love you", he whispered before kissing her neck.
"And now I love you", she answered, her eyes closed.
They were so busy undoing each other's clothes they didn't notice that the door opened and two men entered the room.
xxxxx
It was a walk of shame for Hermione and Draco, as they went towards the office of High Inquisitor followed by Lucius Malfoy and Edgar Yaxley. Two men came to Hogwarts in order to offer their assistance to Dolores. Starting tomorrow, they were supposed to aid her in inspecting teachers, since they were members of the school board. But they first wanted to see their children, whom they found in rather awkward position. However, they said nothing, only that they wanted to talk with them and Umbridge about some improvements in school.
Yaxley was first to speak as they reach Umbridge's office.
"I wish to talk to my daughter first. Lucius, would you wait us?" As Mr. Malfoy nodded, Hermione followed her uncle in one empty classroom. She glanced at Draco whose face was scarlet. He didn't dare to look at her.
"Well, uncle?" She asked as soon as they were alone. He looked at her with a sigh coming out of his mouth.
"I must say, Hermione, the scene I've just seen wasn't something I expected."
"Then you should have knocked", she rolled her eyes. She really didn't want to have this conversation.
"We did, but you were clearly too busy to hear." Edgar sighed, looking at his niece. He wasn't mad at her, he was concerned.
"What do you want me to say, uncle? That I'm sorry? 'Cause I'm not. I'm not a child anymore. And why do you even care? You're not my father."
"You clearly don't understand me, my dear. I know you're not a child, and I expected adolescent inside you to show up any day. It's only natural. But that doesn't mean that it's easy to accept. Not for me and especially not for your father."
Hermione shrugged. "Then don't tell him", she suggested.
"One doesn't hide things from the Dark Lord. He'll know, he'll probably see it in Lucius' mind."
"That's not fair", she protested.
"Life's hardly fair, kitten." He approached her, and put his hands on her shoulders. "But when you're a parent, and I consider myself one, because, regardless of this pretence we have to keep, I do love you as if you are mine…" Hermione smiled at him. "When you're a father, you never want to see your daughter in the arms of another man."
"Isn't that a bit selfish?"
"I never said it's reasonable. It's just that your father and I will always see you as a ten-month old baby, no matter how old you. And there is another thing." He stopped. Hermione raised her eyebrow questioningly. Her uncle looked slightly embarrassed.
"The greatest problem of having fifteen-year old daughter is the fact that you were once a fifteen-year old boy. And you definitely know how they think."
It was Hermione's turn to blush, but her uncle continued.
"I will keep my temper around young Malfoy, but I cannot say that your father will do the same. I don't doubt that he'll separate you, and I don't blame him. It's too early for you to engage in such serious relations with someone. There will be a plenty of time for that."
Hermione blinked. She was having The Talk with her uncle, who obviously thought she was still a virgin. If he only knew that Draco Malfoy was nailing her for the last six months. She shivered at the thought what her father could do.
"Kitten, I'm sorry. I know this would be easier if your mother was here now. For both you and your father. She was the only one able to keep his temper under control."
She smiled. "Well, I guess now I'll have to be the one who does that."
Edgar laughed. "Good luck with that, darling. Come on, we have some business to do."
xxxxx
"Lucius, Edgar, pleasure to have you here", Dolores Umbridge sang in sweet voice.
"We're here to help, Dolores", Lucius answered. "And we think our children may aid as well."
Draco and Hermione smiled to their Professor.
"Well, starting tomorrow, I will interrogate all of the teachers here. I hardly doubt that any of them is suitable for teaching position, but I'll have to get rid of them one by one."
"I'd start with old Binns", Edgar smiled. "That man, ghost that is, was only putting us to sleep all those years ago. I don't think anything changed."
"Of course, but I'm more worried about alive people, you know, that can do actual damage."
"What do you mean by that?" Lucius asked.
"I believe", Hermione answered before Umbridge, "that Professor thinks that, in case of any conflict between Dumbledore and Ministry, they will take his side. And if Headmaster tries to make even further move, they will support him fully."
Dolores' eyes flickered. She was looking at Hermione, obviously liking what she was hearing. "Please, carry on, darling", she encouraged.
Hermione stood up and turned her back to them, looking through the window. It was raining outside, typical November weather.
"I'm sure, Professor, that you've noticed Dumbledore has been up to something. Ever since the end of the previous year, when he came up with that ridiculous claim of the Dark Lord's return." She could hear a gasp, but didn't know whom it belonged.
"He clearly tried to distract people from the real issue."
"And what in your opinion that may be?" Dolores asked.
"Taking over the Ministry, of course." She now turned to face them. Dolores was looking at her eyes wide open. Draco's face was even paler than usual. His father looked confused, but her uncle smiled at her approvingly.
"I must say, Professor, things in this school are far worse than anyone could assume. Headmaster was able to cover up most of that, until the last year's tragic event. But that most certainly wasn't the first time students here were exposed to life-threatening situations. And Dumbledore always knew, if anything of that came up, he would be forced to resign his position, and perhaps even to answer in the court. By taking over the Ministry under his control, there will be no problems for him. He would still be the Headmaster, and he would have even greater power."
"Can you tell me some of the things you referred earlier?" Self-dictating quill was ready on Umbridge's table, and Hermione didn't doubt that her statement would most likely end up in the morning's edition of The Prophet.
"I can. It was in our third year that Draco was attacked by a hippogriff." Umbridge shrugged. She hated any half-breeds.
"Year before, I was petrified, as well as several other students, by giant Basilisk who clearly wandered freely through the castle. There was a three-headed dog in the castle back when we were first year. Not to mention that we were regularly left in care of a werewolf."
"Dear Merlin", Umbridge's voice was now trembling, but everyone could hear satisfaction under that. "Of course, we heard some rumors in the Ministry, but we never thought it was that serious."
"As I said, Dumbledore has been very apt in keeping secrets."
There was a brief moment of silence, only the scratching of the quill was heard.
"It does make the perfect sense", Yaxley started, "spreading rumors about the return of the Dark Lord. He thought that would make us in the Ministry occupied enough not to notice his schemes. We were extremely lucky that you are here now, Dolores."
"Of course, of course. We have to take extreme measures now. He has to be removed from his position."
"Not yet", Hermione said coldly.
"But, Miss Yaxley, you've said it yourself…"
"I know what I've said", Hermione interrupted her, "Professor. But your hands are currently tied, for there is nothing you can accuse him on."
"Surely, some of those past things can incriminate him."
"No. That will only make suspicions. You have a powerful opponent here, and you have to play it wisely. Dumbledore's word is still respected by many members of our society. If you decide to arrest him now for something that happened years ago, it will only start questions. People will assume that you are hiding something, and that you have to move Dumbledore out of the picture. It will only backfire. You have to wait for some evidence to occur, something that will make him look bad in everyone's eyes."
Umbridge smiled at her, and then turned to her uncle.
"Edgar, I believe this has been said million times by now, but your daughter really is the brightest witch of her age."
"Your sister was called the same back when we were in school", Lucius blurted out. Yaxley only looked at him grimly.
"I thank you for your compliment, Professor", Hermione tried to ease the tension. "I'm happy that I can be of help."
"You do realize, Miss Yaxley, that there is a major flaw in all of this."
But Draco was the one who answered to that.
"There is nothing to worry about, Professor. You being here already slowed his plans. He'll soon become impatient to finish all of this. And impatient people are the most inconsiderate. He will slip soon enough, and you'll be able to end all of this."
"Impressive, Mr. Malfoy, Miss Yaxley, truly impressive. I am sure there is a bright future for both of you in the Ministry. But for now, how would you like to be a member of the Hogwarts' Inquisitorial Squad?"
"There is no Inquisitorial Squad in Hogwarts." Hermione pointed.
"There is now."
