Disclaimer: I repeat for the eleventh time, only the plot and unrecognizable characters belong to me!
A/N: Wow, I can't believe we're on the eleventh chapter already! So many things to go into the plot, my mind's a jumbled mess and I have one stack of ideas/plans pinned to my IKEA board. Oh lordy. Anyway, here goes!
CHAPTER ELEVEN
(The morning of Draco's departure to France, in the Zabini residence)
Tap tap tap… tap tap…
"Blaise… Blaise… honey…"
A grunt.
"Owl…"
A growl.
"Go get it…"
Tap tap… tap tap tap…
"Hurry!"
She kicked him off the bed.
"Okay, didn't have to do that, I'm awake."
Blaise grumbled, and pulled on his boxers. He went to the window, and let out a string of curse words as he recognized the owl.
Ginny sat up from the bed, pushing her red hair back.
"Is that from Malfoy?"
He nodded. "Git has to bother me even when he's away." He grumbled, plopping back down onto the bed.
Ginny leaned on his shoulder to look at the letter as he opened it.
Brainless Italian,
Please don't tell me the barley I saw you chopping in the roof-lab was from the storeroom, because Granger is checking the records and found errors.
You bloody fucking git, fix this. My life is on the line.
Have fun at the Weasleys on Christmas night. Good luck.
I was planning to bring you some stuff from France, but seeing as you're so dimwitted, say goodbye to them.
Oh, and Weaslette, I know you're reading this – do take care of this idiot for me.
I'm not one to ask for favours, so don't make me repeat that again.
Your boss
P.S And Hermione too. Take care of her.
"Did you-
"Yes. Shit. Come on, let's get up, I need you to help me."
"Why-
"I didn't think that much, I needed the Barley, and so I took it. I completely forgot about the records."
Ginny sighed. Not so Slytherin after all.
Hermione was going through the files on her kitchen table, when her redheaded friend suddenly appeared in front of her with a 'pop'.
She jumped.
"Merlin! Ginny, you've got to stop doing that!"
Ginny grinned sheepishly. "Figured you'll be in the kitchen. What're you doing?"
"Checking the records!" Hermione whined, exasperated. "The numbers are making me dizzy."
"Tell me about them."
Hermione looked up, a little surprised. "Since when were you interested in these things?"
"My boyfriend's in the same business, Hermione. Besides, I'm bored, maybe I can help you."
"Go bother Zabini."
"Been there, done that."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "And he didn't make you stay?"
"Nope, he's busy."
In fact, he really was. When Ginny was using the bathroom, Blaise received an owl from Bonnie confirming Ginny's ring size. He had to do some last minute adjustments, and everything would be ready by Christmas night. Later, he would go pick her up at Hermione's place for lunch, and then 'realize' that he forgot to record down that he took the Barley for last minute alterations to a potion.
Perfect.
"Fine. Here, check the fifth and sixth page, make sure the 'check-in' and 'check-out' and the left overs tally."
"Uh, Hermione, why's there a tag here?" Ginny asked, flicking the pink tag sticking out of the file.
"Oh, the records for the green barley don't tally, so I marked it."
Ah, so she really did find out. Well, we'll fix this later.
They tallied the records in silence, and hours passed. They had finally finished checking the records, and all was correct except the green barley. Ginny looked up towards the clock in Hermione's kitchen. It was a minute to twelve, meaning Blaise was going to come soon.
"Er, Hermione? I just remembered - you do realize we can just use the arithmancy spell we learnt to tally the records, right? Why are we pressing this funny… numbers thing?" Ginny asked, referring to the calculator Hermione had her finger on.
She stared at Ginny blankly. "Arithmancy… spell?"
"Yes, the easiest spell we learnt apart from Alohomora? Professor Vector taught us that spell during the first lesson! Hello, where did Hermione Granger go to?"
Hermione thought hard, trying to recall the spell that Professor Vector taught. She gasped, suddenly remembering the spell.
How could it be that she had forgotten about it? She'd been using the calculator for almost three years, wasting so much time!
"You mean conpono? Merlin! I completely forgot about it! It's been so long ago, and we don't use it at all, I've completely forgotten about it!"
Ginny laughed. "I just remembered too! I knew there was something amiss."
Just then, a 'pop' signaled Blaise's arrival.
"Ladies, did I miss a joke?"
Ginny grinned. "No, but you missed something rare. Hermione forgot about a spell!"
"Granger forgot about a spell!" Blaise echoed after his girlfriend. "Wait, let me check if the sun's rising from the West." He ran to the window, chuckling to himself.
"Oh stop it you two, seriously, you're made for each other."
"Of course we are." Blaise pulled Ginny into his arms and gave her a kiss on the temple.
She giggled. "Oh, and she mentioned something about the barley records not being correct. Do you know something?" Ginny asked as planned.
Blaise pretended to ponder. "Barley?"
He paused, and his mouth formed into an 'o' shape as he faked a realization.
"Oh, Granger."
Hermione glared up at him. "Please don't tell me what I think you're going to say."
"I think I took the left over Barley for some last minute experimentations for the breathing-potion."
"And…?"
"I forgot to record it down?"
Hermione pursed her lips as she felt annoyance pulsate within her. She picked up a random file and hurled it towards him, and being a chaser in the Slytherin Quidditch team, Blaise caught it.
"Now, you don't have to try and harm me, do you? Just because Draco's away doesn't mean you can have your way with me, Granger." He narrowed his eyes, sounding angry.
Hermione's eyes widened a fraction in surprise. The Blaise Zabini she knew was always easy-going and fun, and she knew that he had a very good temper, rarely getting angry. Even Ginny took a step back from him in shock.
Blaise broke into a grin. "You know I'm just joking. Where shall we go for lunch?"
Two things happened at the same time.
Hermione let out an exasperated 'urgh' and threw another file towards him, while Ginny snatched the file in his hand and gave him a hard smack over the head.
"Ow! Women!" He shouted.
"Grow up, honey!" Ginny shouted back.
(Back in France, present time)
Draco was sitting in the guest room of the Delacour's residence, reading Hogwarts, A History.
He hated that book, but the only reason he was reading it was because it was Hermione's favourite book.
He remembered seeing her carrying the book around school, and reading it under the tree beside the black lake he so loved to go. He would always feel a tinge of disgust towards her when she smiled and marveled at the book. Really, to him, there was nothing fascinating about the book, or Hogwarts for that matter. He had been blindsided by what he was told to believe in that he did not have the chance to truly appreciate the school.
Hermione was the actual person to point out that fact to him. As he gave a rueful smile, he couldn't stop the flood of memories from playing inside his head.
They were sitting in Harry's kitchen again, maps laid out in front of them, discussing how they were going to catch Theodore Nott's Father.
"You have to trust me on this Potter, I know this man."
"Are you sure about that? That he will pretend to be willingly arrested and then flee when we lower our defenses?"
Draco nodded. "He was never a faithful servant of The Dark Lord. He's only taking orders out of fear for his life and for Ted's life."
The door opened and Hermione Granger walked into the kitchen, a small frown marring her face. "You know you can say his name out loud now, right? He's not your Dark Lord anymore."
The two men looked up, surprised by her sudden appearance.
"Granger."
"Hermione!"
"It's good to see you again, Harry." Hermione beamed. "You too, Malfoy."
She gave Harry a sisterly hug, and Malfoy a small smile. It wasn't the first time she had seen him around, though it was still a little bit of surprise to her how well he and Harry worked together. Harry had owled her, complaining throughout the whole letter that he got partnered with the Draco Malfoy. She was glad that they managed to get over their prejudices, though.
"Wow, Australia gave you a great tan, 'Mione." Harry commented.
Draco heartily agreed. His eyes travelled down her body, taking in her toned arms and long sculptured legs. The girl had a nice rack and a round ass.
"Why are you back today?" Harry asked as they took a seat back at the kitchen counter.
"Oh, it's Australia Day, so it's a public holiday. I've not seen you in a while, so I thought to come back to visit. I forgot it was going to be this cold here," she shivered, rubbing her arms. Of course she was going to be cold, what was that woman thinking, wearing a simple yellow summer dress to London in January?
Draco, out of instinct, immediately removed his cashmere jacket and draped it over her shoulders, surprising everyone in the room, including himself.
Well, he did not show it of course, but he was mentally hyperventilating away, cursing his Mother's 'How-to-be-a-gentleman' training.
A blush crept up her cheeks, and she murmured a shy "thank you".
Harry was staring at him weirdly.
"Do I have something on my face, Potter?"
He dropped his eyes. "No."
"So, what's this?" Hermione asked, tugging the jacket tighter around her shoulders. The natural scent of Draco was so strong and so nice that she had to stop herself from inhaling deeply. She frowned slightly – why was her heart racing?
Yes, Draco Malfoy was a git, he is a git, but why did something as trivial as offering her his sweater make her heart beat so fast? She did not have a crush on him, did she? She had to admit he was a good-looking fella, but she had to take his past behavior into account. He treated her like scum.
'He was taught to think that way.' A small voice in her head said.
Merlin, why was she finding excuses for him? She was not supposed to be feeling this way.
However, she couldn't help but risk a glance in his direction. He seemed to be having a silent argument with Harry, hence the lack of response from either of the boys.
A glance turned into a stare, and she found herself admiring his flawless skin and defined jaw line.
This was the boy who used to taunt and ridicule her, and this was the guy who stood there watching her get tortured by his aunt. By right, she was not supposed to be attracted to him, right?
He was a downright egoistical bastard.
'But what was the sweater for? It was rather gentlemanly, he could have just let Harry get you a robe.'
She shook her head to clear her thoughts.
No, she was not attracted to Draco Malfoy, no matter how hot he looked right now, glaring at Harry.
She cleared her throat.
"Hello? Earth to both of you?"
That snapped the two of them out of their glaring contest, and though Draco looked a little confused at what she said, he asked nothing.
"Yes, Hermione?" Harry asked.
"What's this?" She asked again, pointing at all the blueprint maps laid out in front of them.
"They are the layout for-
Harry was cut off, when the maps suddenly shrunk and disappeared into Draco's pocket.
"Confidential stuff, Potter. Watch your mouth."
Harry rolled his eyes. "It's Hermione."
Draco raised an eyebrow. "So? That doesn't mean she can get access to these information, Potter."
Hermione sighed. "Fine, pretend I'm not interested."
They sat awkwardly in silence for a while, until Draco did something out of the blue.
He asked a question.
"So, how's muggle university?"
If Hermione was surprised by his question, she didn't show it. Draco was impressed by the way she treated him as an equal.
"Oh, it's great. Tiring but great." She smiled. "Lots of work and loads of writing. Really makes me miss Hogwarts."
Draco scoffed. "There's nothing special about Hogwarts."
"Everything about Hogwarts is special!" Hermione exclaimed. "All the secrets, and all the magic maintaining the place. Have you ever wondered why the water from the bath taps are colourful?"
"That's because they're scented, that's why."
"But why the colours are sometimes different when you use it?"
Draco gave her a weird look. "Well it depends on the elves' moods. They decide to scent it orange, then the water's orange!"
Hermione grinned. "No, it's according to your mood! If you need some relaxing, the scents will change according to what suits you!"
Draco raised an eyebrow.
"If you have read Hogwarts, A History-
"Woah, okay, Hermione, stop there. We don't need an entire recitation of the book." Harry hurriedly cut in, giving Draco a pointed glare, blaming him for getting Hermione started.
"Well," She was back to that smart tone she used when they were still students. "Maybe you didn't appreciate Hogwarts as much as I do because you were too caught up with your prejudices, Malfoy."
Draco felt anger flare within him. "Excuse me, Granger, if I remember clearly, I wasn't the only one who was blinded by prejudices. Your people categorized all deatheaters to be heartless bastards, thinking all deatheaters joined the rank willingly."
Hermione huffed. "You're an exception." Perhaps she did not like him so much after all.
"Oh, am I?" He sneered. It reminded her so much of their childhood. "That wasn't what you thought at first."
He apparated away with a glare.
The next time he met Harry was in the Auror's office.
"She's sorry for what she said." Harry told him, handing him his jacket.
"Damn right she should be." Draco grounded out, snatching his jacket from Harry's hands.
"You can't blame her, she's still not used to your presence…"
"Don't find excuses for her, Potter. She's supposed to be the most level-headed one amongst the three of you."
Harry frowned. "Now that was rather offensive."
Draco smirked. "That was the truth. Now, we attack Nott tomorrow night, is everything set?"
Just like that, things went on normally as usual.
Draco struggled to keep Harry on his feet, ignoring the blood gushing out of his own head. The stalking mission had failed miserably, and they were ambushed before they could summon for help. Slinging an arm under Harry, Draco, being too dizzy himself to think straight, apparated them back to Harry's flat instead of the Hospital.
It was a wonder how he managed not to splinch themselves.
There was a shriek before he collapsed onto the ground, Harry already unconscious beside him.
He woke up to a cool sensation on his head, and groaned as he tried to sit up. A wet towel dropped from his forehead, and before he could question why it was there, a glass of potion was thrust to his lips and forced down his throat.
He choked.
The person who gave him the potion patted him gently on the back, and Draco looked up, and immediately wished he had not.
"What were you thinking, apparating here? You should have gone to St. Mungo's!" Came the oh-so-annoying voice.
"You should have seen, Granger. My head was hurt, I wasn't thinking."
Hermione sighed. "How's the pain?"
"Better." He realized his voice sounded hoarse. Hermione seemed to have realized too, as she pushed a glass of water into his hands. He gulped it down.
"Where's Potter?"
"I brought him to St. Mungo's after I got you settled."
"And why aren't I in St. Mungo's?" he questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"I wasn't sure you would let me touch you."
Draco rolled his eyes. "You already did, Granger."
"Well," she shuffled her feet. "Not as in touch you and lug you to St. Mungo's. It was hard enough apparating Harry, and you're heavier than him. I couldn't risk splinching you."
"And you could risk splinching Potter?"
Hermione frowned. "What are we playing, twenty questions? Are you feeling well enough to floo or apparate to St. Mungo's? Because I'm pretty sure I've healed you up mostly, but I can't stay any longer, my lecture is starting in about two hours and I have to go back."
Draco's eyes widened. "It's the next day already?"
"Yes, you've been out for about 9 hours."
Draco swore. He had to go back to the office to report about their mission. Kingsley would have their heads! He scrambled out of the guest bed he was lying in and snatched his robe off the chair. "I have to go, I have to report to Kingsley."
She stopped him before he apparated away. "Malfoy." She called.
He paused, not turning to face her. "I'm still sorry about what I said the last time we met."
Draco's head turned slightly. "Thank you for healing me, Granger."
He apparated away, again.
They were in a club, celebrating as they've caught Theodore Nott's father. For some reason, the club was more crowded than it usually was.
"Hermione should be here already, I invited her along."
"Why would you do that?" Draco asked, giving him a weird look.
"Come on, she saved our lives, we ought to have invited her! Besides, I saw you eyeing her." Harry sniggered.
"Very funny, Potter. Fuck off." Draco sneered, shoving Harry out of the way and moving towards the bar. A hand on his shoulder stopped him.
"What, Po- Flint?" Draco's eyes widened.
"Thought it was you, I can recognize this head of hair from a million miles away." Marcus Flint smirked and gave Draco a light ruffle in the hair.
"What are you doing here? Aren't you with Puddlemere touring the World?"
"Nah, didn't you hear? A few of the Chudley Cannons members are here celebrating some sort of crap, some our team mates and Holyhead Harpies were invited."
Draco gave a slight nod of his head. That explained the number of people in the club. They moved towards the bar, and Draco raised an eyebrow as he saw a red-headed man flirting with a brunette who was obviously annoyed and uninterested with him.
The brunette looked rather hot from behind, wearing a red dress with nude heels. She had a nice body, with beautiful wavy hair cascading down her back.
"I'm surprised they didn't get together sooner," Marcus Flint commented offhandedly.
Draco rolled his eyes. "She's obviously not interested in him. Besides, she's far too hot for him, stupid Weasley."
"Aw come on, everyone expected Granger and the Weasel to be together."
Draco did a double take and stopped his jaw from dropping just in time. "That's Granger?"
Flint smirked. "Yes it is, unbelievable isn't it? She's turned hot for a mudblood."
Draco's reaction was instant. "Don't call her that." He snapped.
Flint shot him an amused look. "I know," he smirked. "Just testing your waters, people say you've changed, Malfoy. I didn't expect it to be true."
Draco shrugged. "Things are different now, mate."
They sat down together at the bar, and Draco couldn't resist another glance towards Hermione. Her body language showed that she was extremely uncomfortable and annoyed with Ronald Weasley, but there was nothing she could do to get away from him.
Someone approached Flint and while he was momentarily distracted, Draco took the chance to look over Hermione again.
No, he wouldn't admit that he thought she was hot, now that he knew his objective was Granger. But he didn't mind conceding that she had a curvy figure with a slim waist.
He watched as Ronald Weasley lean towards her and try to give her a peck on the cheeks, but Hermione was fast to react and pushed him away before he could do anything. Draco swore he saw her hair stand. She appeared to be scolding him, but Weasley wasn't giving up. He tried to kiss her again, but Hermione spun around in her chair and stood, wanting to move away from him. Ron pulled her shoulder and pushed her against the bar, trapping her in place.
"Ron, get off me!" Hermione shrieked.
Draco's feet had automatically brought him towards them.
"Come on, Hermione, I know you miss me…" Ron said, rubbing himself against her and resting his head against the crook of her neck.
Hermione shrieked again, giving him a hard smack and shoved him away. "You're drunk, Ron, get away from me."
"Weasley." Draco said. He seemed calm, but inside, he was seething at the sight of Ron's persistence. Hermione didn't want him. That much was obvious.
Two heads snapped towards his direction, and Draco swore he saw relief in Hermione's eyes.
He went over to her and slung an arm over her shoulder, giving Ron a cold look.
"Keep your hands off my girl, Weasley."
He then smirked, ignoring the surprised and incredulous look Hermione was giving him.
Ronald Weasley snarled. "Yeah right, Malfoy. You wouldn't associate yourself with 'Mione. She's far too filthy for you."
Draco's eyes narrowed, and he took a threatening step towards Ron. "I would say that about yourself, Weasley," he spat, "if I were you, I would grow a brain and piss off."
A soft 'tsk' from his side momentarily distracted him. Oh, perhaps he went a little overboard. Wait pause stop. Since when did he care what she thought?
"She's mine, Malfoy. Has been since we were eleven. You don't even stand a chance." He stumbled a bit as he came towards Draco, who cringed at the smell of alcohol coming out from Ron's mouth.
Before Ron could continue, he was stopped by something hard pressing into his neck. Ah, Draco's wand.
"Leave us, Weasley."
Ron sniffed in disdain and left, seemingly to go find some more alcohol.
Hermione carefully stepped out from under Draco's arm, giving him a small smile. "Thank you, Malfoy. I have to admit; I didn't know how to get rid of him without being mean. He is my best friend after all."
Draco snorted, "I don't think he treats you as his best friend, Granger. He's clearly a dickhead thinking you belong to him and he can claim you whenever he wants to."
Hermione sighed and sat back down on the bar tool. "He doesn't think that way, he's just drunk."
Draco couldn't comprehend whether she was stupid or her stubborn. "Stop being stupid," he snapped. "One is only candid when inebriated."
Hermione looked away. She knew what Draco said was true. "Well, whatever it is, I didn't think I would see him here."
"See who here?"
Harry appeared by Hermione, and gave her the usual hug.
"Your whole trio is here." Draco piped in.
Harry turned surprised eyes towards Draco. "Ron?"
Draco rolled his eyes. "No, me."
Hermione chuckled.
"Seriously, Potter. You call yourself a Quidditch fan. Can't you spot all the Quidditch players in the bar?"
Harry frowned and turned to face the crowd, 'ooh' and 'aah'-ing over the players that he saw. After what felt like forever, Draco got annoyed.
"Potter."
Harry whirled back, giving him a sheepish look. "Well, my bad. Sorry Hermione, did he do anything to you?"
"What? Oh, no he di-
"Yes he did. Tried to rape her right here at the bar."
"WHAT?"
"NO! MALFOY!"
"HERMIONE, WHAT?"
"HARRY, DON'T LISTEN TO HIM!"
"Better take better care of your friend next time, Potter."
"Malfoy SHUT UP!"
"Seriously, Hermione, what happened?"
Hermione let out a frustrated cry, and couldn't help giving Draco a hard smack on the shoulder. Draco laughed.
"That tickled, Granger."
She sent him a dark glare, and he raised two hands in surrender, an amused look on his face.
"He just tried to harass me, that's all, Harry. Malfoy got rid of him."
Harry wagged his eyebrows at Draco, giving him a playful nudge. "Wow, didn't know you were using the manly tactics now, bro."
"What the fuck, Potter, who's your bro?"
"Aha! So you admit trying manly tactics!"
"Unlike you, I'm man enough without trying, Potter."
"Boys."
"Oh really now, Malfoy?"
"Boys!"
"Obviously, Potter. Look at yourself."
"BOYS! Grow up, both of you." Hermione scolded.
"Yes, mother." They both replied simultaneously, earning another smack each from her.
"Both of you act like children! Stop acting like children. Let's just get out of this place; I'm not really in the mood to see Ron again."
"Great." Draco slammed his palm onto the bar. "My place. You know how much I disapprove of your wine collection, Potter."
They moved to leave the bar, Hermione being dragged by Harry due to her reluctance to go the Draco's apartment.
"And that's just another factor that shows how un-manly you are, Potter."
A/N: PLEASE READ!
Sorry to everyone who is following this story. As I've repeated many times, school has started so my updates will take a while!
Also sorry for the lack of Dramione action in the last chapter, hope the memories in this chapter satisfy you! More action will be coming in about a chapter or two, I'll try my best to update soon, but with the amount of workload I'm having, IT'S SO BLOODY HARD. I want to type when I have inspirations but it's either I don't have my laptop with me or I have work to do. Le sigh~
Anyway. PLEASE REVIEW
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YOU'LL MAKE ME A HAPPY GIRL. PERHAPS I'LL TRY TO UPDATE FASTER WITH MORE REVIEWS~