I am soo sorry for the late update! Been a very busy couple of weeks with homework and networking events! I think the hardest thing was coming up with a name for this chapter! Don't know why I was so stumped!
Chapter 12: Odd Happenings
Draco was thoroughly enjoying himself as he tauntingly flew over Hermione's head holding her wand just out of her reach. He watched as she kept glancing over at the broom shed but she stubbornly stayed standing where she was.
"You're no fun," said Draco as he hovered over her.
"I'm sorry that I don't have a death wish," said Hermione as she crossed her arms resolutely and sat down.
"Nothing is ever fun without a little danger," said Draco as he carefully stood and started walking across his broom like a tight rope. "Malfoy!" Hermione gasped, "You're going to hurt yourself!"
"Like you'd care," said Draco who was now balancing on the very edge of the handle.
"I just don't want to have to patch you up again," she said as she watched him worriedly.
"Then I guess you're just going to have to come up here and stop me,"
"I really don't feel like playing games tonight," said Hermione as she got up, turned her back on him and left. She had only walked a few steps when she heard a short gasp and sickening thump as something landed on the ground. Quickly turning around she saw Draco lying in an unmoving heap on the ground. "Malfoy!" she exclaimed as she ran over to him and gently turned him over to his see his face. To her surprise he was snickering. Sitting up and barely containing his laughter he said "Got you!" Hermione gave him a shove, "Thats not funny Malfoy!" Pushing himself back off the ground he said "Maybe not, but the look on your face sure was," he said as he burst into laughter. She pushed him again but this time he caught her wrist and quickly maneuvered her so that he was over top of her as he held her to the ground. "Pushing isn't very nice Granger."
"Neither is faking an injury," she said as she squirmed beneath him.
"But I bet it took your mind of things," he said as he still held her firmly underneath him. Hermione stopped struggling for a second as she looked up at him. "I guess it did, but you honestly couldn't think of a better way than faking your death?"
"I could probably think of many other ways, but this way was more fun," said Draco as he unconsciously brought his face closer to hers. Hermione's breath caught in her throat as she realized their close proximity. His lips were a mere inch away from her own. Her brain seemed to freeze in panic as she lay underneath him. Then all of a sudden he stood up and offered her a hand, "Quick, I think I heard someone," he said as he pulled her up and lead her behind the bleachers. They waited with baited breath as the watched two figures sneak by them. "I think this is one midnight adventure that I don't want to be a part of," whispered Malfoy as he quietly snuck out from underneath the bleachers. "What if they see us!" Whispered Hermione. "Then we'll give them detention for being out after hours."
"Isn't that a bit hypocritical...?" Asked Hermione. "We're not even on rounds tonight."
"They don't know that, and whats the point of having power if you don't abuse it every once in awhile," whispered Draco smirking. Hermione shook her head and then tentatively followed him. "How did you ever become head boy again," she asked in a hushed whisper.
"I haven't the slightest idea," he whispered back to her.
"Is it true Dumbledore?" demanded Minerva as she burst into his office.
"Is what true Minerva?" Said Dumbledore, unnerved by the early morning outburst.
"That we are sheltering a potentially deadly witness, how do you know she is not spying on us as we speak."
"Minerva, she isn't even aware of the war, as far as she is concerned her husband isn't even a death eater yet."
"And how do you know it isn't all an act?"
"Sachi is more than capable of diagnosing memory loss caused through spells and brain trauma. She is one hard witch to trick"
"And the boy, you really think he will come to our side."
"Most definitely, I have already informed Mr. Malfoy and Ms. Granger of their roles should I die."
Minerva stared at the headmaster at loss for words. Then slamming her hands down on his desk she demanded, "What have you told him?"
"Enough, Minerva must you question me, I know what I am doing."
"You forget that you are not infallible, you trust too easily,"
"I trusted you,"
"That isn't relevant now,"
"Isn't that though? How is my trusting you any different than trusting the boy?"
"Look at him Dumbledore, look at his family, look at his behaviour, how do you know You Know Who isn't using him as a spy already?"
"Severus would have told me,"
"And it's that simple is it?"
"Yes, I have evaluated the boys character and find him and his motives to be trustworthy," Said Dumbledore with a tone of finality.
"I really must object,"
"Minerva, have I ever given you a reason to doubt me?"
"Several,"
"But when it comes to something as important as this?"
"No..." she said as she glared at him in annoyance.
"Exactly, so I ask you to trust me once more, after all why would I risk the lives of the people I care so dearly about?" Minerva nodded seemingly convinced but she couldn't shake the feeling of foreboding swirling in her gut.
"Now if you could excuse me, I have much paper work to deal with before breakfast," Said Dumbledore as he excused Minerva from his office. She nodded and walked briskly out of his office. Dumbledore began organizing papers when a painful memory flashed through his mind.
He was running as fast as he could through a destroyed corridor, the horrified screams of a little girl ringing in his ears. He approached the door and burst through it wand at the ready. Inside were two death eaters one with a knife to the little girls throat, the other rummaging through a dead-man's coat. Dumbledore entered the room disarming the men with lighting speed and in his anger he sent them flying back until the crashed into the wall. He ran towards the little girl. "Alana, everything is going to be alright," he said as he reached to pick her up, but then a jet of green light flew under his arm and hit her square in the chest. She fell lifeless into his arms as he whirled around to see her attacker, but the man's cloak was already vanishing through the door.
Coming back to the present Dumbledore shook his head and began looking over the paper work Alana's screams still echoing in his head.
"How was your little midnight escapade?" Asked Lavendar as Hermione and Ginny approached the Gryffindor table for breakfast. Hermione flushed her mouth agape as she racked her brain on how Lavendar could have found out.
"I haven't a clue what you are talking about," replied Ginny slyly as she sat down and winked at Harry down the table.
"I saw the two of you sneak out last night," Said Lavendar as she waggled her eyebrows at Ginny while Hermione inwardly sighed with relief. For the rest of the breakfast Hermione participated in mindless gossip with the girls. She wished that all her cares could be so petty. Instead she was worrying if she would even be allowed to go to her father's funeral or wondering what Dumbledore meant by her and Malfoy being Professor Mcgonagal's only contacts. She jumped as one of the tawny school owls landed beside her and held out it's leg. She quickly detached the envelope and ripped it open.
Ms. Granger,
I wish to speak with you urgently, please come to my office before class this morning.
-Professor Mcgonagal
"Ooh, looks like Hermione's got a secret admirer," squealed Lavendar.
"No it's from Professor Mcgonagal, she wants to discuss career options with me,"
"Oh," said Lavendar disappointed, "how dull."
"I just remembered that I need to go to the Library though, so I'll see you girls later," said Hermione as she quickly exited the hall.
"It has come to my attention that Professor Dumbledore has filled you and Mr. Malfoy in on certain shall we say past happenings regarding the Bonham program."
"Yes," said Hermione as she nodded her head seriously.
"And the roles you are to play,"
"He was a bit more vague but, again yes."
"Then despite Albus' obvious trust for the boy I wish you to watch him for suspicious activity. Albus says he has his reasons to trust him, but I am yet convinced." Said Mcgonagal gravely as she carefully watched Hermione's reaction.
"Of course Professor, but if my two cents count, Malfoy has definitely changed, if he is ready to switch sides yet...I'm not sure, but he is not the bully he used to be."
Mcgonagal looked at Hermione curiously, then replied. "Very well Ms. Granger, but I still wish you to keep an eye on him until he has chosen a side."
"Yes professor,"
"And one more thing, have you made a decision about the funeral?"
"Yes, I would like to go."
"Good."
"And my mother will she be able to attend?"
"In disguise yes, should she choose to go."
"Has she?"
"Not yet, I will inform you when arrangements have been made."
"Thank You."
"And Hermione...I am truly sorry for everything that has happened to you," said Mcgonagal sincerely.
Jean walked through the abandoned corridors of the Bonham building as she contemplated her current situation. Stopping she watched in awe as one of the many contraptions littering the hall suddenly came to life whizzing and whirring about until it once again became lifeless. For so long her daughter's world had seemed like some sort of fantasy, a utopian world that she could never be a part of. But now that she was here she felt like she had been thrown down the rabbit hole but the place she was in now was no Wonderland. Granted all the witches and wizards she had met thus fare had been quite pleasant and willing to help her. But she could not deny the fact that she had been thrown headfirst into a burgeoning war. She felt indebted to those who had saved her life, but at the same time felt helpless. What could she ever do to repay them? How could she ever fight in this war, when all she knew was teeth and she doubted they would need to know how to pull out the enemies teeth.
"Evening Jean," greeted an Indian woman not much older than herself.
"Evening Lalan," Said Jean as she smiled fondly at the woman. "Is there anything I can help you with this evening?"
"Could you take Narcissa her dinner? Right now she believes she is in a five star hotel in France. For the time being Dumbledore believes it's best to indulge her memory loss,"
"Why is that?"
"She is the wife of one of the death eaters closest to He Who Must Not Be Named, until we are sure we can trust her, we have decided to keep her in the dark. Just ask one of the house elves in the kitchens for her meal,"
"Of course, anything I can do to help after what you've done for me,"
"Oh it was nothing dear, I am just happy you are safe, you have a brave daughter by the sounds of it."
"Very brave indeed," said Jean smiling. Then she bid goodbye and began walking through the complicated maze of hallways to the kitchens.
"Evening Bobbin," she greeted as an elf immediately rushed forward and bowed.
"Evening Missus, what can I do for you?"
"I'm here to get Narcissa's dinner, if that wouldn't be too much trouble," she said kindly to the elf as she sat down.
"Not at all Missus, Not at all, and for yourself, can Bobbins do anything for you?" Said the creature as it began bustling around the kitchen.
"I am perfectly fine Bobbin, I'll eat dinner with everyone else at seven, but thanks for asking,"
"Mistress is too kind, it is no trouble at all!" He exclaimed as he hurried back with a silver platter covered in the most elaborate meal she had ever seen. She stared in awe as she thought to herself, I don't think I'll ever get used to magic.
"Thank you Bobbin,"
"It is nothing Missus, have a pleasant day," said the elf beaming up at her.
"And you as well Bobbin," she said as she got up to leave. Smiling she remembered the summer Hermione had come home telling them all about her endeavours with S.P.E.W., how passionate she had been about freeing the house elves, though she never thought she would ever meet one of those endearing creatures she had heard so much about. Admittedly she had screamed quite loudly the first time she had seen one of them enter her room. The creature had apologized profusely for scaring her then had quickly went about cleaning her room, constantly offering her any assistance should she need it. Soon she had come to know all the elves by name and had found herself spending a lot of her evenings in the kitchens talking to the little creatures.
Stopping she realized she had made it to Narcissa's room. Knocking lightly on the door she waited for permission to enter.
"Come in," said a voice softly.
She entered and let out an audible gasp, she felt like she had been transported to Paris as her eyes bounced around the elegant Parisian room, then they rested on the window where the sun was setting behind the eiffel tower.
"You have a beautiful view she said as she finally entered the room,"
"Yes, yes I do, but no one to share it with, my husband left me here on my honeymoon, apparently something big came up at work and he had to go deal with it, and then I am so weak with all the stress and aftermath of planning the wedding of a century, well I guess it is probably the best,"
"Ah yes, I remember planning my own wedding, wasn't exactly the wedding of the century, but getting my in laws to even be in the same room as each other... it was like trying to get a cat to take a bath," said Jean as she brought the tray over to Narcissa.
"Well aren't you precious darling, would you mind staying and chatting for a bit, it's been dreadfully dull being on bed rest all day,"
"Of course, can I call you Narcissa?"
"Why yes of course darling, I myself am still getting used to Mrs. Malfoy, I love it of course, but it just doesn't feel like my own name yet,"
"Oh I understand, took me awhile to get used to my new last name as well, but you can call me Jean."
"Do you have any children Jean?" asked Narcissa as she began to pick at her plate.
"A daughter, I named her Hermione."
"Beautiful name, how old is she? I myself hope to have a daughter one day, but choosing just one name it's impossible. As for a boy if I ever had a boy, I think I'd call him Draco." She said smiling. Then everything clicked. Jean looked at the woman beside her in shock, she was the mother of the child who had bullied her daughter nonstop for the last six years. How could a women so seemingly sweet have such a rotten child or even get involved with such terrible things. Greed, admittedly she did not know this women well but she could already tell status was important to her. She continued to chat with Narcissa, seeing the woman in a new light, eager to understand how she had been corrupted. They talked for an entire hour before Jean's stomach began to rumble and she bid her goodbye.
"Well I would be most appreciative if you would bring my breakfast, tell your manager I insist," said Narcissa as she handed back the platter of food. Then Jean had an idea.
"Oh there won't be a need Narcissa, I own this hotel, but I wanted to personally check in with you and see if everything was to your liking," Narcissa smiled at her, "Finally someone in France that acknowledges class, most appreciated Jean, you have a wonderful hotel."
Jean smiled, this woman acknowledged, wealth and social standing, if she had to fake those to gain this woman's trust she would, maybe she could be of some use after all.
"Morning rule breaker," said Draco as he sat down beside Hermione in Potions.
"Malfoy," Hermione exclaimed as she gave him a playful push, "SHHHH!"
"You know you really need to loosen up," He said as he leaned back and put his feet on the desk. Hermione just scoffed at him and opened her text book.
"Mr. Malfoy if you would be so kind as to remove your feet from your desk," said Snape as briskly entered the classroom with his cape billowing out from behind him. Malfoy looked at him with eyebrows raised then sat up. "Why of course sir," with a smirk.
"Only you could talk to him that way and get away with it," Hermione whispered.
"Do you have something to add Ms. Granger,"
"Oh don't worry Professor, she's merely reprimanding me for my poor behaviour, doing you a favour really."
"Well in the future Ms. Granger I will be doing the reprimanding, as hard as it may be for you to control your self righteous impulses." Said Snape in annoyance. Hermione glared and then began copy down the notes on the board.
"You didn't deserve that," Draco whispered to her once Snape had turned his back.
"It's fine, I'd think something was wrong with Snape if he acted any other way,"
"Too true," He said as he smiled at her. Hermione's heart fluttered for a second, then she shook her head and started distributing the potion's ingredients between them. Potions was surprisingly fun for the both of them. They developed an easy banter and were able to work together quite well now that they weren't arguing all the time.
"Weasley, I'd like a word," whispered Pansy as she passed by Ron and slipped a piece of paper into his book. Ron looked up and smirked at her, then looked at the piece of paper, which read: 6 o clock astronomy tower.
"What was that about?" asked Harry as he looked curiously at his friend.
"Oh nothing, she just has a grudge," said Ron still smirking as he began stirring the potion. Harry looked at him curiously but decided not to ask, it seemed like there was already enough drama going around.
For the rest of the class Harry watched his friend but he seemed to be acting normal so he decided to drop it.
"I'll see you later mate, I've got to go talk to Mcgonagal about something," said Ron leaving before Harry could even reply. He rushed through the halls and arrived at the astronomy tower at 5:45. Eagerly he sat perched on the window ledge while he waited for his partner in crime.
"Well aren't you zealous Weasley, how cute," said Pansy as she entered the room.
"I don't know if I should take that as a compliment or not."
"I guess you're just going to have to purchase a dictionary, figures no class and no vocabulary."
"Are you going to spend the whole night insulting me? Or tell me why you asked me here?"
"Now why would I give up the opportunity to insult you, it's just so easy."
"I thought we were pretending to be a couple," said Ron as he began to walk towards her.
"Only when others are watching... like tonight; Draco and your mudblood will be doing rounds. All the revenge without the public humiliation."
"So what's the plan?"
"Meet me in the broom closet by Snape's classroom at 10 and I'll tell you all about it."
"And if I don't."
"Well then I'll know your the chicken I think you are,"
"Ready for rounds?" Huffed Hermione as she pushed through the portrait hole with an arm full of books.
"I am but you certainly don't seem to be,"
"Why because you haven't silenced me yet?"
"Well I wasn't planning on it, but honestly if you insist," Said Malfoy as he took out his wand and began waving it around teasingly.
"Oh you wouldn't dare,"
"Oh but you know I would," Said Draco smirking.
"You're intolerable sometimes," said Hermione shaking her head as she already began heading out the door.
"Ah but my devilishly good looks make up for it," Said Draco as he caught up with her.
Their rounds proved most interesting; in half an hour they had already caught two couples sneaking around, one fourth year vandalizing a portrait and a couple of first years attempting to duel. "It must be a full moon tonight," said Hermione as she Draco began walking down the stairs to the dungeons. "Good thing Lupin isn't here then," said Draco with a chuckle, "Wait, did you hear that?"
"Hear what?" Asked Hermione as she looked around.
"Oh god, not another couple...I think it's coming from that broom closet."
"Well dibs out, I busted the last couple," Said Hermione as she pushed Draco towards the closet. Draco glared back at her and then reached for the door handle. "Merlin's beard!" he exclaimed as he took a step back in shock. Hermione looked over his shoulder and gasped, inside the broom cupboard was Pansy and Ron in a very compromising position. Pansy smirked at them as she stood up and straightened her skirt, not even bothering to button up her shirt. "Evening Draco," she said seductively, while Ron fumbled to do up his pants. "I expected this of her, but not of you Ron," said Hermione in disappointment, "I can't believe you would sink this low."
"Sink this low, you're the one sleeping with that scumbag!" Ron yelled at her.
"Says who, a bunch of gossips? You should know better Ronald!" Hermione exclaimed her voice full of hurt. Then calmly she turned to Draco and said "So Draco, what do you think their punishment should be?"
"That's a tough one Hermione, detention with Snape and Mcgonagal or public humiliation?" Said Draco as he smirked at the two of them.
"Why choose, I think they both sound fitting," said Hermione with a smirk to rival Draco's.
"My, My Granger, I think there's a bit of Slytherin in you yet." Said Draco as he smiled down on her. "Now you heard the head girl, better get off to your dormitories before we decide to make it worse for you."
"Brilliant plan Parkinson," muttered Ron as he picked up his tie and stormed off. Hermione shook her head as she watched him go. She turned to see Pansy trace her finger down Draco's chest, but when he forcefully pushed her away, she decided to saunter off with as much dignity as she could muster.
"Well I think Ive had enough strangeness for one night, I think we should call it quits," said Draco as he turned to face Hermione.
"Agreed," she said with a small laugh.
They walked back in silence each contemplating the events they had just faced. Plopping down on the couch Draco patted the seat next to him beckoning Hermione to join him. Thankfully she plopped down beside him and sighed with relief. "It's been a long night," she said yawning as she curled her feet beneath her. "That it has," said Draco as he too yawned. Then he felt her head gently slide onto his shoulder, he looked down and saw that she was already asleep. Not wanting to wake her, and just too tired to move himself Draco leaned his head back and fell into an easy sleep.
I hope it was worth the wait, as always I love to read your reviews so don't be shy :)
