Chapter 14

Hermione almost slapped herself. What was she doing? She just kissed Draco Malfoy! Voluntarily! It was an innocent peck on the lips, really, but still!

It was an impulsive act. She didn't think it through – all the more that it frustrating! Hermione Granger always planned things, always thought before she acted! Just because a gorgeous man is in front of her, doesn't mean she should loose all self-control.

But she did, anyway.

It was something new for her – she's never lost control before. She was a very organized person, and she always thought things through before acting. But somehow, this man in front of her has managed to shake her up-tightness loose. Maybe – just maybe – this is what Hermione needed: a little spontaneous craziness in her otherwise 'in the box', planned-through life.

She pulled away from Draco, feeling the blood rush to her cheeks. "We should finish our rounds," she said, clearing her throat. She looked up at Draco and braced herself for his reaction.

Hermione's heart skipped a beat as she saw the grin on Draco's lips. Though it was that 'stuck-up, rich-boy, i'm-sexier-than-you' grin that he always had, it was great to see him smiling again - no matter how mischievous the smile in question was.

Try as he might, Draco couldn't suppress the smile that curled his lips. Hermione Granger had just voluntarily, without any act of seduction or spell, kissed him. He was literally grinning from ear to ear. Hermione looked so – there was no other word for it – adorable, all red and shy in front of him right now.

"Granger, did you just kiss me?" asked Draco with exaggerated bewilderment. His eyes twinkled in merriment, resting upon the even redder face of Hermione.

"I-It wasn't really a kiss, i-it was more of a...a..." Hermione rambled, trying to find the right word.

Grinning like the Cheshire Cat of the forest, Draco stepped towards her. "Admit it, Granger, you did," he said.

Hermione shuffled uncomfortably. For once, she didn't have an excuse for this one. "Fine, and what of it? I'm certain you've had far longer and better snogs than that, Malfoy," she retorted, turning on her heels. "We should go finish our rounds."

Chuckling, Draco decided to drop the topic. He was too giddy to pick a fight with her, even if it was fun to tease her. It was an unusual feeling to Draco – feeling giddy, that is. He only usually had this feeling during Christmas as he was opening presents, but he hadn't felt this way for a long time because of the past war.

"Right you are, before McGonagall lectures our ears off," he said, returning his hands to the safety of his pockets, where they would be good boys and stay where they should. He jogged – no, Malfoys did not jog. He walked briskly to follow her retreating from.

Their night passed quite pleasantly, with small and surprisingly civil talk here and there as they patrolled the school for any trouble makers. When the night grew old and they finished the last floor of their patrol, they headed towards their new dormitories.

They were in front of the portrait of a man and woman, hands clasped in each others', smiling kindly, when they announced the password. The portrait swung open and they silently studied their new Common Room.

The room was beautiful, wand everywhere they looked it was either silver or gold. The stone walls and wooden floors were decorated with silver and gold curtains and rugs. There was a fire place at the back end of the room, with a white sofa facing it. A small wooden table sat in front of the sofa, and Hermione could just imagine herself doing her homework there as she sat on the rug. To the left were stairs inlaid with a red carpet, and to the right were another set of stairs with an emerald green carpet.

"At least it's not red and green," Draco snickered.

Hermione tried to imagine the room in blazing red and flashing green. She couldn't help but laugh. "Oh Merlin, you're right, that would be so tacky," she giggled.

Draco glanced at her, still quite confused at his thoughts. He didn't know if he fancied her or had something deeper going on, but he was tried of fighting it. It made him emotionally beat whenever he did. One thing was for sure though – he had to know where 'they' stood for her. Were they enemies? Friends? Friends that snog each other? Friends with benefits? What?

"Granger," Draco started softly, looking into her hazel brown eyes. "what's going on between us?"

Hermione, not really comprehending what he was asking, tilted her head to the side a bit. "What do you mean, exactly?"

Sighing, Draco took a step toward her, invading her private space once again. "We've only been a few hours with each other, barely a day, and already so much has happened. That can't possibly mean nothing, can it?" he asked softly.

Hermione turned the question around in her mind. He was right. She had to admit, she was attracted to Draco Malfoy. Why or how, only Merlin would know. There was something pulling her to him, and she had tried to fight it awhile ago in the train compartment when he kissed her, but it felt so right to be with him. It felt so right, and yet it was so wrong. She was with Charlie at that time. But then again, he had proved he was planning to break up with her for awhile now. That meant he had stopped loving her for a while now. Should she start something with Draco right now, then?

Slowly, Hermione shook her head. "You're right. It can't be nothing. I...I must admit that I'm attracted to you, Malfoy. I don't know why, but I am," she said softly, her eyes gazing back at his. Draco's silver orbs pulled her to him, as if she could drown in them.

Draco's heart skipped a beat. She was attracted to him. Raising a hand to cup her cheek, he leaned closer until his forehead touched with hers. The warmth he always experienced as he came close to her was back, and he didn't feel like pulling away ever.

"I'm attracted to you, too," he replied just as softly.

"But Malfoy, I-" Hermione started.

"Draco," he corrected.

"Draco. Draco, I..I don't think I'm ready for another relationship," she said, leaning into his palm and closing her eyes. She savored the feel of his hands. Soft, yet calloused. Strong, yet gentle. The contrasts felt amazing. She hoped he wouldn't be angry with what she said.

Rubbing her cheek gently with a thumb, Draco answered, "It's alright. I can wait. I've waited for you for a long time now. I think I can wait a little bit more, even if all I want to do right now is just take you," he chuckled.

Hermione smiled softly. "Thank you," she said. "I need some time to adjust, and to sort out what I'm feeling. And Charlie and I just broke up, and -"

"It's alright," Draco cut her off gently. "You don't need to explain, really. I can wait. I'll wait. As long as it takes, I will," he said firmly.

Opening her eyes, Hermione saw the sincerity in Draco's silver eyes. Draco really had changed.

"Thank you," Hermione said again.

Draco smiled softly before turning it into a grin. "Well, time to get some beauty sleep. Not that I need it," he chuckled, withdrawing his hand from her cheek.

Hermione shook her head. "Over-confident prat," she giggled.

Draco shrugged. "I do what I can. I have a reputation to keep up to, you know," he smirked.

Smiling, Hermione turned around and headed to her side of the dorm. "Goodnight, then."

Watching her ascend the stairs, he smiled softly. "Goodnight...Hermione," he said, softly enough for her to not hear.

Teddy found himself within Hogwarts walls once again, walking to McGonagall's office. Tod had sent him to Hogwarts to supposedly, at first, kill Harry Potter. Teddy, however, gave a counter-proposal. Why kill Harry Potter, if you can make him join you instead? Harry had great potential, and with the right evil motivation, he could be used for the greater evil rather than good. Teddy didn't think it would work, but apparently his old man was stupid – he bought the story, hook, line, and sinker.

Of course, there was no way Teddy would convince Harry to go to the 'dark side'. All Teddy was going to do was use this opportunity and research on why his father was now blatantly un-killable. The Hogwarts library was one of the best , and now that he was here he would take the chance. Once he found his answer and figure out how to finally put the maniac to an eternal rest, he would leave. He would start a new life, in another school maybe and such, but he wasn't going back here, where there were too many complications in memories.

He was a little hesitant in stepping inside Hogwarts again, at first. What if someone hadn't been Obliviated? But then he remembered all the staff and students of Hogwarts was in the train that day when the Death Eaters collected him. It was rare for even the teachers to be in the Hogwarts Express, but for some reason they were, anyway.

"Mr. Nott?"

Jumping a bit, Teddy's heart thumped in his chest as he turned to the voice who called him. Nobody was supposed to know him – everyone was supposed to be Obliviated. So why...?

"Yes?" Teddy said, careful not to give away the fact that he knew McGonagall. Something was wrong. How could she know him?

Minerva McGonagall stood stiffly, peering at him through her glasses, wand pointed at him.

"Why are you here, Mr. Nott?" she said. "And don't bother with another Obliviate. It won't work."

Teddy eyed the wand cautiously. "Professor, I don't mean any harm, I -"

"Then why did you come back? Are there more of you all over the castle?" she interrupted, her tone apprehensive.

"Perhaps we could talk in a more...private place, Professor?" Teddy said, glancing around him. They were in the hallway by the Great Hall, and though it was early morning and no students were up and about yet, he couldn't risk it. If McGonagall wasn't Obliviated, there was a chance a while lot of them weren't, either.

McGonagall eyed him sternly. "Give me a reason not to harm you right now, Mr. Nott. Even if you were my student, I've seen and heard enough yesterday about who you really are," she said, her wand unflinching.

Sighing, Teddy shook his head. "Professor, please. You don't understand. I'm not one of them, I swear. You can feed me Veritaserum right now and I'd still say the same thing," he pled, looking into her eyes so that she could tell he was being honest.

"Then why were they looking for you? Why did you go with them?" she asked, apprehension in her voice.

"Because my father told them to, and because if I didn't there would be casualties," he replied calmly but sincerely.

"Impossible. Theodore Nott Sr. is dead," Minerva stated simply, recalling the headline news in the Daily Prophet about it a few years ago. The man had been missing, and was declared dead just a year ago because he was never found.

"That's what I thought," Teddy countered.

Minerva grew quiet. He was right, a body was never found. "He's alive?" Minerva asked warily.

"Yes. And at the moment, he's indestructible."

Tensing a bit as she recalled all the heinous crimes Tod Nott had committed, the number of innocent lives he had taken, Minerva took a deep breath. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, I tried to kill him, numerous times, and it didn't work. Nothing. No spell affects him. I don't know if he was just blocking them or what," Teddy shrugged.

"Do you mean to tell me you tried to kill your own father?" Minerva asked bewildered.

"Yes. After all, I was the one who supposedly killed him a few years ago. My uncle came to visit and saw his dead body that day. I ran out of the house, terrified of what I had done, only to come back later with his body gone. My uncle left a letter, saying he had buried my father, and would not tell anyone about what had happened. I should have known he wasn't dead," Teddy said bitterly.

"Why would a son want his own father dead?" Minerva said, not believing Teddy's story.

Teddy chuckled. "If you had him as a father, you'd want him dead as well."

Minerva thought his reply over in her head before replying, "Why are you here?"

"My father is weak physically, but he remains powerful. He's building an army, to continue what Voldemort started. He sent me to..kill Harry Potter," Teddy said simply.

Eyes widening, Minerva straightened her hold on her wand. "Stupe-" she began, when suddenly a small force forced her a few steps back, her wand flying out of her grasp and into the air.

Teddy caught her wand, but lowered it on the floor. "Professor, let me finish. I -"

"Did you just cast a non-verbal and wandless Expelliarmus?" Minerva asked with slight horror and amazement.

"Yes."

"So what I overheard yesterday was true. You're more powerful than Voldemort himself," Minerva said, blanching.

"Yes. But I don't mean any harm, Professor. Please," Teddy said softly, pleading. "If I had wanted to, I could have killed you already, but I didn't, and I'm not going to."

Minerva considered his reply. Yet again, he was right. She decided to give him a chance. He looked very sincere and honest. She would have her wand back, though. "Accio wand," she said. Her wand sped back to her hand. "Explain in my office," she said. "Don't put my trust to waste, Mr. Nott," she warned.

Teddy nodded and followed Minerva to her office. She gave him a cup of Veritaserum, just to make sure, and Teddy drank it without hesitation. After explaining everything, from his past with his father and until yesterday's events, Minerva and he agreed that they would work together to figure out why Tod was basically indestructible.

"Couldn't you restore the Obliviated memories of -"

"No," Teddy said simply. "If everyone suddenly knew, father would get suspicious. If it's just you, the secret could be kept easier. I'm certain I could handle my father myself. I just need to know why he's acting like this..."

"Perhaps we could enlist the help of Ms. Granger?" Minerva asked.

"No," he said immediately.

"And why ever not? She is a brilliant witch, and her researching skills are top-notch," Minerva said, bewildered.

"It's too dangerous," Teddy replied tersely.

Minerva raised a brow. "She has faced far more dangers than tackling books, my dear boy. And your father and his Death Eaters need not know she is participating in this. How could they, when we are miles apart from them? They fear you enough to not get too close to you, and am I correct in assuming they trust you enough to do your job? You have played the part of 'heartless killer' very well, if I do say so myself," Minerva chuckled.

"No," Teddy repeated, setting his jaw.

"Perhaps you are being far too over-protective with Ms. Granger. Why is that?" Minerva asked slyly, a slight smirk in her mouth.

Teddy wanted to say "it's just too dangerous", but being under the Veritaserum, he was forced to tell the absolute truth.

"I love her."

Once the words were out of his mouth, he bit his tongue and looked away.

Minerva smiled at him softly. "Now, now, Mr. Nott. It's nothing to be ashamed of. If I do say so myself, what you have done for your friends, Obliviating them to keep them out of trouble and worry, was very selfless. But now, I really do believe Ms. Granger could help you immensely, and she could keep your secret," Minerva said.

Teddy was quiet for a few minutes before replying, "Alright. When I get a chance to be alone with her I'll return her memories." He groaned internally. It was true Hermione could help him, but he wasn't sure he could handle being with her again and leaving her again. He fully intended to leave once this was all over, with no one having their memories back. But now, that intention of his seemed to be a lot harder.

"Professor, if I may ask, why weren't you Obliviated like the rest?" Teddy said, changing the subject.

"I felt something was wrong and put up a guard. I was just about to warn the other Professors when the Death Eaters came in. I simply had to go along with their little trick. It was convenient that the compartment I was in was very near to where you were, and thus I heard everything," she explained, stirring a cup of tea.

Teddy nodded. "It seems they underestimated you," Teddy smiled softly.

"And I, you," Minerva replied, peering at him over her spectacles. "I believe the students will be filling into the Great Hall by now. I think it best to introduce you as a new student, and sort you into Gryffindor. That way, you could work closer with Ms. Granger. And I'll give you the same classes with her."

Teddy nodded and watched her shuffle through papers.

"Bloody hell, we have Ancient Runes next," Ron mumbled as he pored over his class schedule.

Harry, who sat beside him, shrugged as he loaded his plate with eggs and sausages. "What's wrong with Ancient Runes, Hermione says it's fun. Sort of like alphabets."

"The subject's fine. The teacher's the problem," Ron grumbled, putting his schedule down. He loaded his plate with some pancakes and stuffed it into his mouth.

Across them, Hermione groaned. "I forgot about that."

Hermione had fallen asleep last night thinking about the whole Draco Malfoy issue. She had argued with herself, on whether she should tell Harry, Ron, and Ginny about it, but decided not to until she was sure of what she really felt about him. Right now it was just an attraction, and that could mean anything. Besides, at the mention of Charlie's name, her insides were already squirming. She wasn't over him yet.

Taking a quick glance by the Slytherin table, she saw Draco nibbling on toast as he talked to Goyle and Zabini. She didn't see him this morning as she descended from her room. She walked to the Gryffindor Common Room to meet up with Harry and Ron, and they walked to the Great Hall together. When they came in, she saw that Draco was already in his seat eating.

"First class with Charlie?" Ginny said from beside her, taking a sip of tea.

"Yeah, and It's going to be hell," Ron moaned, shaking his head. "I wouldn't have taken the subject if I knew he was teaching it. Imagine how awkward it is to have your older brother teaching you?"

"I'm sure it won't be that bad," Harry said good-naturedly.

Murmurs and giggles suddenly filled the Great Hall. There were buzzes of "Oh my god, who's he?", "He's cute, is he new?", and "He's beyond cute, he's gorgeous!" from all over the room.

Hermione looked around to see what the fuss was about, and saw that everyone's heads were turned by the doors. Craning her neck, she spotted a student walking in with Professor McGonagall. All she saw was a tuft of black hair and billowing school robes.

Her eyes, just like everyone elses', trailed the mystery person's and McGonagall's back until they were by the High Table. The two turned around to face the crowd, and Hermione had to admit that the boy was quite good looking. He had dark hair, that was quite long and was mussed in a strategic way that made it look cool, and his matching dark eyes were compelling. He was quite pale, kind of like Draco, and he looked as if he was a half head taller than Hermione.

"Students," McGonagall's voice echoed. "This is Theodore Nott, a new student. I hope you all would be accommodating to Mr. Nott and show him around."

Theodore Nott gave a meek smile that caused a new fit of giggles all over the room.

Ron grunted, then. "I hope he's not in Gryffindor. Wouldn't want our Common Room to be some kind of oggling place."

"You're just jealous," Ginny giggled.

"Mr. Nott has tried on the Sorting Hat in my office, and he has been sorted into Gryffindor," McGonagall said. "With that, please continue on with your meal and get to your classes after."

Ron groaned. "I had to jinx it," he mumbled, stuffing more pancakes in his mouth.

Hermione clapped with the rest of the school as they welcomed the new student, and went back to eating her breakfast. She was about to have a spoonful of yogurt when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked to her right to see Professor McGonagall looking down at her.

She quickly stood up and greeted the Professor. "Good morning, Professor," she bowed.

"To you as well, Ms. Granger. Seeing as you're Head Girl and a Gryffindor, I believe I can entrust Mr. Nott with you?" McGonagall asked, peering over her spectacles. "We don't usually accept new students once term has started, but Mr. Nott is an exemption. After all, he just missed a day of classes, which I'm sure is easy enough to catch up with, especially with your help, Ms. Granger. You two have quite similar classes."

Hermione smiled softly at the new comer beside McGonagall. "Of course, Professor," she said.

McGonagall nodded and turned to the High Table, leaving Hermione with Theodore Nott.

"I'm Hermione Granger," she said, holding out her hand.

He smiled warmly, taking it. "Theodore Nott. But call me Teddy," he said.

"Alright, Teddy. This is Ginny Weasley,Ron Weasley, and Harry Potter," Hermione said, introducing her friends.

"Nice to meet you. I dare say I've heard a lot about you four. Helped bring Voldemort down, I reckon," Teddy grinned. "Heroes of the Wizarding World, you lot are."

Ron turned a bit pink, but motioned Teddy to sit in the empty seat beside him.

"He was called a 'hero' and now he's best mates with the guy," Ginny whispered to Hermione.

Smiling as she sat back down to finish her breakfast, she listened to Harry, Ron, and Teddy talk and get to know each other. Eating her last bite, she finished her morning tea and stood up to shoulder her satchel.

"Time for our first class. Do you have Ancient Runes as well, Teddy?" Hermione asked, turning to Teddy.

Nodding, Teddy grabbed his cup of pumpkin juice and downed it quickly, standing up and shouldering his bag like Hermione.

Harry leaned over the table to plant a kiss on Ginny's forehead. "See you later, Gin," he smiled at his girlfriend.

Ron stuffed the last of his pancakes in his mouth before heading after Teddy and Hermione to their first Ancient Runes class of the year.

"Alrighty then! I'm Professor Charles Weasley, and I'm your new Ancient Runes teacher," Charlie announced to his class cheerfully.

Despite the lack of sleep last night, an "attack" this morning, and a throbbing headache to boot, he wanted to make a good first impression on his students. Glancing about, he saw Ron and Harry seated together. Ron had a scowl on his face, and Harry was politely showing no emotion. Hermione was at the desk beside them, seated with the new student, Theodore Nott. Charlie pushed the jealousy down and motioned to one of the girls in the room whose hand shot up in the air.

"Yes, Miss...?"

"Brown, Sir. Do you have a girlfriend?" Lavander Brown, a girl with blond hair asked, giggling furiously.

As soon as the question was raised, the other girls in the room started whispering to each other and eying Charlie hopefully.

Charlie's eyes darted to Hermione. She had her Rune Dictionary spread out in front of her as she looked down at it. Swallowing, Charlie kept the smile on his face.

"Alright, let's make a deal. I'll answer that question truthfully, but there will be no more questions regarding that matter and we'll start with the lesson before Professor McGonagall beheads me. What do you say?" Charlie grinned at his students, leaning on his desk. He wanted to avoid any other questions as much as possible.

The girls in the room (except Hermione) furiously nodded and the boys looked at him coolly.

"Alright then. No, I haven't got a girlfriend," Charlie said simply.

The room burst into more fits of giggles and whispers. Charlie saw Hermione tense up in the corner of his eyes.

"To our lesson, then. Can anyone translate this sentence for me?" Charlie quickly said, turning to the board behind him to write a few runes.

He turned around to see that there were a few hands raised, but none of them were Hermione's. She kept her head down on her Rune Dictionary, her face impassive.

Charlie sighed as he called on a boy who had his hand raised. This was going to be a long day.

A/N: Finally, I get to update! Review away and make my day!