A/N- Your support for my story is just overwhelming and I love it. Thank you, thank you for showing the love! Everyone out there reading and reviewing, you're the bomb diggity. Big shout out to Monse97 for being my 500th reviewer (((: I'm hoping I can make this chapter interesting since it's a filler chapter. Anyhoo, onward we travel, my friends.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I truly would like the option to buy Draco Malfoy, or even Fred Weasley, but I just don't see that in the cards. I've made no money off my stories. I'm a broke bitch, lol.
Chapter 21
December 16, 1995
Draco watched in amusement as Hermione hushed everyone down the table. It was their last day of exams and she was determined to get a perfect score by studying every spare moment and that included the breakfast table. Those around her, mostly himself, Harry, the twins, Weaselette, and Looney Lovegood, smiled indulgently while the rest of the table shot her dirty looks.
Draco hated exams. Even though he always did great on them, knew the material inside and out, the atmosphere they created made him nervous. Not that he could show that emotion, Malfoys didn't show nervousness after all. Hermione was always frantic, scared to death that she was going to fail even though she learned the material quicker than everyone else.
Truthfully, it was scary how fast Hermione learned and how easy school work was for her. Draco knew she wasn't challenged at all by the curriculum and he was sure that she should probably be in seventh year classes, if not beyond. If Hermione ever really did turn to the dark, it would be frightening the things she could rain down upon their world.
The bell rang overhead and Draco hid his smile when Hermione started groaning that she didn't get to study enough. While Harry bent to kiss her, Draco rubbed circles in between her shoulder blades. Her worries truly were unfounded. He slid his hand down so he could rest it on her waist, fingers just under her shirt so he could feel her soft, silky skin.
"Princess, baby, you're going to do just fine. You're the best in the school and you're just nervous. Take a deep breath and calm down." Her eyes flashed when she turned his way.
"Don't patronize me, Draco." Draco stepped forward, he did so enjoy the ends of her bouncy curls sparking. He pulled her into his chest so he could kiss her properly. Even though he wanted to deepen the kiss and press her into the wall behind her, he pulled away after only a few moments.
"I'm not patronizing you, Princess. I'm telling you what I know to be a fact. You are going to do perfect and you need to stop worrying." Harry stood behind him and gave him a nervous look. Apparently he had been on the business end of her wand more than once when it came to exam time. Hermione finally nodded before she gave him another peck.
"Alright, fine. Lets do this." Without another word, Hermione snagged both his and Harry's hands and started dragging them down the corridor towards Charms. Draco smirked at Harry, amused to no end at her actions.
They took their usual seats in Charms and Draco made sure to only remove a quill and ink from his bag. He didn't believe in studying the day of a test; it always seemed to make him more nervous. Hermione flipped through her notes one last time while Harry followed Draco's lead and didn't pull his text from his bag.
Professor Flitwick entered and with a swish of his wand, their exams floated up from the surface of his desk and began to pass themselves out among the students. When all the exams were in front of their respective students, the half-goblin bid them to begin.
Draco began, the answers flowing from his quill with ease. He didn't find any questions that he didn't know the answer to and his answers came with ease. Draco checked his work over once and then sent his test to the front where Professor Flitwick stacked it neatly with the others.
Harry finished just shortly after Draco did. He doubted that the Gryffindor checked his work over, he wasn't as academically inclined as Draco and Hermione were, but he usually seemed to do above average in their classes.
Hermione was one of the last people to turn their exam in. Draco had watched her meticulously check her answers, erasing things and adding addendums. After the third time of going over her answers, she heaved a sigh and banished her test to Professor Flitwick's desk. It was shortly after that that their professor dismissed them and wished them a happy Christmas.
The trio left Charms and began to meander their way through the corridors to Transfiguration. Students were everywhere, all of them chattering happily about their upcoming holiday plans and gifts that they had purchased for their family and friends.
Draco was already finished shopping, he had done all his shopping via owl order. He hated braving the stores, the multitude of people, the dank air, the hateful stares. He would much rather choose his gifts from a catalogue, have the money taken from his vault, and have them delivered to him just a few days before Christmas.
Harry and Hermione were completely opposite. He had sent the two of them to Hogsmeade on their own and he had stayed back to spend some time with his Slytherin friends. They seemed to enjoy the crowds, the festivity in the air, and the season all together. He had bid them farewell and thanked Merlin that they hadn't begged him to go as well.
Draco had been surprised that Dumbledore had followed Severus' orders by staying away from himself, Hermione, and Harry. The Slytherin burned with curiosity at exactly what Hermione had found in the recesses of his mind, but she wouldn't budge on giving up the Headmaster's secrets.
Honestly, the ones that she had shared had been bad enough. Draco burned with anger when he considered the fact that the old man had placed Severus under the Imperious Curse so he could extract an Unbreakable Vow. His Head of House had already shared that he was spying because Dumbledore knew the location of Hermione, but he had made him take the Vow regardless.
While Draco didn't know his cousin Sirius Black, the fact that he spent twelve years unnecessarily in Azkaban was enough to make his blood boil. Harry had been furious, had destroyed the Room of Requirement the night of their meeting with Dumbledore. Draco understood to a degree the Headmaster's scheming. If Sirius had been free to raise Harry, he wouldn't have been starved for love by the time he came to Hogwarts and he wouldn't have been as easy to control. It was so much more difficult for Harry and Hermione to understand because they truly were Gryffindors at heart. They struggled to see how someone could dismiss the honor and integrity of doing the right thing.
Draco was pulled from his thoughts by Hermione pulling him to their seats in Transfiguration. She gave him an excited smile and Draco could only wonder at her exuberance for the subject. He knew it was her favorite, but her level of excitement was off the charts.
Professor McGonagall didn't waste any time once she entered the room. She manually passed out their exams, cautioning everyone that if there was any cheating going on, she would know and punish them severely. There were quiet murmurs from around the room to show that they understood and their stern professor told them to begin.
Draco had always struggled with Transfiguration. Hermione was turtoring him, Harry as well, so he felt he understood the subject better than he had, but it was still clear that it was probably the subject he did the worst in. There were a few questions that he just couldn't remember the answers to, which meant that he was forced to leave them blank. Hermione would have been horrified, but then again, she usually was when it came to people not remembering the answers to exam questions.
Harry finished first and stood to go turn his test in. After re-checking his work twice, Draco heaved a sigh and stood to turn his in as well. Hermione was still scribbling away and Draco fought to hide the snort at her swotty ways. Even though she was the most accomplished witch in the room, she was still one of the last people to hand in their exam.
Professor McGonagall excused them from class and urged them to make their way to the Great Hall for lunch. Harry helped Hermione to her feet and Draco carried her bag for her. She always complained about them treating her like an invalid, but Draco would just shake his head and blame it on his gentlemanly upbringing. She would roll her eyes before giggling, and let he and Harry carry on.
They started for the Great Hall, Draco starving. He was sure that Hermione wasn't hungry, her nerves probably kept her from wanting to eat. All they had left of their day was their exam in Defense Against the Dark Arts. While he was sure there would be a test, Draco was unsure of what would actually be on it since they had learned absolutely nothing in the class.
Draco chuckled behind his hand when he met eyes with Harry and glanced to Hermione. She wasn't even bothering to study for Defense Against the Dark Arts and was instead interrogating the twins about how they were doing in their exams. It was a definite sign that the class was a waste of time if their girlfriend wasn't bothering to study for it.
Since most people only had one exam left, Hermione didn't make people be quiet for lunch. After questioning the twins, she started a conversation with Ginny about what her family's plans for the holidays were. Draco knew that this was the first year that neither Harry nor Hermione had been invited to the Burrow for Christmas and it stung both of them. It was Ginny's words that brought Draco to complete attention.
"Well, Mum told the twins that we're doing Christmas at Grimmauld Place. We're all getting picked up at King's Cross and then the Order is going to apparate us to Headquarters." Draco's hair on the nape of his neck stood on end.
It had been planned that Harry and Hermione were going to be apparated by Severus to Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix. Harry never went home over the holidays and that was still Hermione's place of residence. Draco would be riding the Hogwarts' Express to King's Cross where his father would retrieve him. He would spend through Boxing Day with his family and then Severus would fetch him and bring him to Grimmauld Place for the remainder of the holiday. Both Dumbledore and the Dark Lord agreed, both wanting their triad magic to grow stronger. He was just a tad bit surprised to hear that the Lovegood girl would be joining them on Boxing Day as well.
Draco had been fine with this plan until just this moment. Not only would the raping Weasel be in residence with Hermione, so would his verbally abusive mother. While he knew that Hermione was perfectly capable of handling herself, he was nervous that she would become overconfident. Yes, she could easily best Weasel when it came to magic, but she could be physically overpowered quite easily. She was a tiny little thing after all.
Draco said nothing, but shared a meaningful look with Harry. He seemed to have the same concerns reflecting back to Draco in his eyes. The Slytherin heaved a sigh. He would just have to believe that Harry and Severus would keep her safe.
The bell interrupted their conversation and Draco pulled himself out of his worrisome thoughts. Worrying about the Weasel when so many would be around Hermione was pointless and would just cause him to lose sleep.
All three of them seemed to drag their feet on their way to D.A.D.A. The difference between heading to Charms and Transfiguration and heading to Defense Against the Dark Arts was huge. Nobody they passed in the corridors seemed thrilled either.
The trio slid into their seats in Defense Against the Dark Arts and all three of them removed their quill and ink. Hermione had a bored look on her face and Harry was struggling to stay awake. The pink toad finally entered their class, ten minutes late, with a self-important look on her face.
Without a single word, she waved her wand and a huge exam was passed out. Draco was unsure as to just what could be on their test when they hadn't learned a single thing, but he supposed that he would find out. The simpering witch bid them to open their exams and begin with a final warning of severe punishment for those who tried to cheat.
It turned out that the exam was just as big of a joke as the class was. She had taken paragraphs from every chapter of the book that they had read so far and you were forced to fill in the blanks. It set you up to fail unless you had a photographic memory. Unfortunately, Draco did not possess a photographic memory and neither did Harry. Hermione was the only one that he knew that did.
Draco did the best he could and turned his exam in within thirty minutes. He knew that he had bombed it, but what did the toad expect when he was supposed to fill in the tos, what's, and withs of a sentence? Harry wasn't far behind him and he looked upset as he took his seat after handing in his test.
Hermione worked for what felt like ages, but in reality was only forty-five minutes or so. She was quick to turn it in and when she headed back to her seat, he could tell that she realized most of the class was upset. When she retook her seat, her hands rubbed slow circles on both his and Harry's thighs.
Whereas the other professors released the students when their exams were finished, Professor Umbridge kept all students until the bell rang. She had began grading the exams already handed in and Draco wasn't surprised when she stood five minutes before the bell rang and spoke.
"I'm very disappointed in this class. One person, just one person passed this test. The rest of you failed miserably. I've never been more disappointed." Draco reached out and tried to stop his girlfriend, he could see that Harry did as well, but it was no use. Hermione was a force to be reckoned with.
"Everyone probably failed because you expected them to memorize the text, not anything to do with Defense." Umbridge sniffed imperiously.
"The text is your Defense lessons. You'd do well to remember that." Hermione scoffed loudly.
"You shouldn't expect people to memorize the text. Not everyone has a photographic memory." Umbridge's eyes hardened.
"Five points for cheek. Watch yourself, Miss Granger." Draco tried to dig his fingertips into her thigh, uncaring if they left bruises. It didn't matter though, Hermione didn't seem to feel them.
"No disrespect meant, Professor, but if everyone failed the exam, maybe the problem isn't with the students, but the teacher." Even though Draco wanted to cheer when she emphasized the word Professor, he knew this wouldn't bode well for her.
"Detention, Miss Granger, to be served tonight with me. Six o'clock." Draco was even further surprised when Hermione smirked at their professor. As much as he loved her, she scared the life out of him.
"I'll be there. I'm sure my family will be most disappointed." Even though the rest of the class took that to mean that her family would be disappointed in her, it was clear that Umbridge caught the actual meaning. Her family would be disappointed that she received detention from Umbridge.
Draco could have sworn that Severus had told them that he had demanded that if Hermione received detention it be spent with either himself or Professor McGonagall, but Umbridge seemed to forget that fact.
Class dismissed shortly after and the trio made it to their feet, both Gryffindors and Slytherins looking at his girlfriend with surprised awe. Nobody had expected Hermione to stand up for them, yet she had, and while nobody else knew it, she was probably the one person that could get away with it. Once they were out of the room, Harry grabbed Hermione's elbow and pulled all three of them into an alcove.
"What the fuck do you think you were doing? Now you have detention with her!" Hermione shrugged her arm out of Harry's grasp.
"She can't do shite to me. I already know about her blood quill and if she dares use anything not within school rules on me, she knows my father and grandfather will have her hide. That exam wasn't right and you know it. I'm the only one that passed and that's because I have a photographic memory. No, this won't make any difference in your O.W.L. results, but it makes a difference in your overall grade at school. What she's doing isn't right." Draco raked his hand through his long hair.
"Princess, being with her makes us nervous. We know you outmatch her magically, but she could take you physically. You're a tiny thing and she's massive. We appreciate that you want to stick up for everyone, but it's not worth you being punished by that psycho bitch." Hermione took both their hands in hers and smiled softly.
"I know you both hate it, but I'm a Gryffindor through and through. I have serious Slytherin tendencies, but in my heart I'm completely lion. I can't stand for this and if I can change it, I will. Please don't hold that against me." Draco still wasn't happy about the situation, and he could see that Harry wasn't either, but both boys nodded.
They had a meeting with Professor Dumbledore scheduled during their free period that day since there was a D.A. meeting that evening. Therefore, the three of them started to make their way to the second floor rather than the library as per their usual.
Hermione was in the middle of them and both he and Harry had their arms wrapped around her. While some people still stared, once the D.A. had started and the two thirds of the "Golden Trio" seemed to trust not only Draco but Theo as well, everything had seemed to get better. There were no more suspicious looks during the D.A. lessons, nobody complained about being stuck with a Slytherin partner. In fact, everyone wanted to partner the two Slytherins because they were fabulous at defense. Draco could only snort when he was asked how he had gotten so good. It was hard to answer that it was a "get good or be used for Cruciatus practice" kind of situation.
Draco found that he was more widely accepted at the lion's table as well. Not many of the Gryffindors were friendly with him, but they no longer hissed their disapproval and flung insults his way. The trio continued forward when the griffin jumped out of their way, allowing them unfettered access to the Headmaster's office.
The trio stepped out of the staircase and found an office that was empty. Hermione wasn't sure what this meant, but she did take it to mean that they were free to sit as they pleased. Draco felt her grasp his hand and pull him towards the couch by the fire, the same one they had sat in when the ugly truth about their Headmaster had come out.
They waited in peaceful silence for several minutes. Draco was tired, but he knew there was no way he was going to fall asleep in a place that he knew anybody could get to him. Therefore, while Hermione started to doze, he kept a strong vigil at her side, his eyes plastered wide open. Only ten minutes went by before the door to the Headmaster's office swung open and Dumbledore appeared.
"I'm so sorry I was late, please forgive me." None of the trio responded, but nodded in exchange for the Headmaster's words. He took the arm chair nearest the fire and spoke once he was settled.
"We've already discussed that both Harry and Hermione are to travel to Grimmauld Place with Severus for the holidays. Draco will ride the Express to King's Cross where his family will retrieve him and keep him until Boxing Day." Draco and Harry both nodded, but Draco couldn't help but interject. Dumbledore didn't like him anyways, why should he toe the line?
"You're leaving out the part where Weasley and Mother Weasley are going to be staying with them. Neither one of them has any respect for Hermione and that is technically her home. She shouldn't have to look forward to verbal and emotional abuse in her own home." Dumbledore gave him an indulgent grin.
"Severus will be there, as will Remus and Sirius. All of them care for Hermione as if she were their own. They wouldn't allow anything to happen to her." Draco narrowed his eyes and he could feel through his magicam bond with the other two that Harry was in agreement with him.
"I'm warning you right now, Headmaster. If she is abused in any way when she gets there, you will be the one to pay the price. My father is still quite influential in the Ministry and he would love nothing more than to remove you from your post if you allow anything to happen to the Dark Lord's granddaughter." Dumbledore didn't move, but his eyes flashed dangerously.
"Don't threaten me, Mr. Malfoy. There are ways to make your life miserable that won't cause harm to you." Hermione slowly stood from her seat and stepped in front of Draco. As much as he hated to feel like he was being protected by the girl he loved, he absolutely adored when she showed her badass, dominant side and told people exactly how it was going to be.
"You will do nothing to Draco or Harry. They haven't broken any rules. Don't threaten to make them suffer without hurting them, or I will threaten to do the same to you. Showing the Wizengamot that false memory doesn't harm you, but still damages your reputation. Tit for tat, Headmaster." Dumbledore bowed his head and nodded slowly.
"The invitation for the Weasleys to spend the holiday at Grimmauld Place was extended over the summer, it would rude to withdraw it now. I will alert not only Severus to the circumstances, but Remus and Sirius as well. They both feel strongly for Hermione and wouldn't want her to feel unsafe." Both Draco and Harry nodded, both feeling a little better about the situation at hand. Hermione looked exasperated with them all, but didn't comment on their conversation. She completely changed the subject.
"What exactly is the plan for the horcrux hunt over the holidays?" Dumbledore sighed and rubbed his hands together as if in preparation of telling the tale.
"Shortly after Boxing Day, I'd like the five of us to go after a horcrux that I believe to be in a cave off the coast. It was a place that Tom visited several times in his childhood and what I've understood of the place, it seems to be the place of his first muggle torture." Hermione spoke before any of them could.
"What if my father can't go or he refuses? Or he's been spelled to where he can't?" Hermione wasn't an innocent when it came to just what her grandfather was capable of. Dumbledore sneered her way.
"If Severus can, we'll have him form a false memory to show we never went. Easy." Draco didn't like his easy statement, but there were other things that he could focus on. Before he could speak, the Headmaster broke into the conversation.
"Tom wouldn't do anything to hurt someone close to Hermione, least of all his own son, unless it was absolutely necessary. The last thing he wants is for his bloodline to turn against him." The three of them nodded. Before they could continue the conversation, a slip of paper flew through the floo and landed on the Headmaster's desk. He picked it up and scanned the contents quickly.
"You earned yourself a detention, Miss Granger. Care to explain?" Hermione smirked at the old man.
"That toad expected people to pass her exam by knowing their text word for word. I told her that if there was only one person who passed their exam like she said, maybe the problem wasn't with the students, but the teacher." Draco was surprised when the Headmaster shook his head but made no further comment.
"If anything changes, I'll make sure you three are notified." Draco nodded and went to his feet, turning to help Hermiome up as well.
The trio left the Headmaster's office, none of them all too thrilled with staying with the Headmaster. They traversed the corridors on their way to the Great Hall, all of them participating in small talk. Not a word was said about Hermione's upcoming detention with the toad since Draco didn't feel like arguing on his last day with his girlfriend.
Once they reached the Great Hall, they took their now customary seats at the Gryffindor table and began to eat their food with gusto. Draco rarely had problems with lack of appetite and it seemed as if Harry was the way. Hermione always seemed to nibble, but never complained that she was hungry so that left Draco to assume that she was getting enough at meal times.
The table was awash with chatter about Hermione putting the toad in her place. Draco could hear the twins softly telling her to refuse a quill if she was offered one. Hermione seemed to blanch for a moment at their words, but thanked them kindly and tried to change the subject.
While Hermione would be serving her detention, the rest of them would be holding their last D.A. meeting before the holidays. Harry decided that in the spirit of exams, he would ask everyone to showcase their talents in defense so he knew for sure that they were ready to move onto more complex spells.
At ten til six, Hermione stood and pressed a kiss to both Draco and Harry's cheeks. Draco smiled when she tried to reassure them.
"I'll be fine, I promise. Make sure you both run a good class without me." Draco spoke just loud enough for Harry and Hermione to hear.
"We'll meet in the Room afterwards." Both of them nodded and Draco watched as Hermione sauntered away confidently.
Draco hoped against hope that all went as well as she believed it would.
-O-
Hermione strolled her way through the corridors on her way to Umbridge's office. She was determined to not let the woman get the upper hand. When she reached the door, Hermione lightly tapped on it, waiting for the professor to call out to her to enter. When she was finally bid to enter, she opened the door quietly and stepped inside.
"Sit, Miss Granger." Hermione raised an eyebrow at her. Umbridge gave her a slight nod.
"Please." Hermione acquiesced and took the seat offered. Once she was settled, Umbridge met her gaze.
"Why do you challenge me so?" Hermione raised her eyebrow this time.
"Your class is a joke. I'm the Dark Lord's granddaughter, his blood flows through my veins. What makes you think that your class would be a challenge for me?" Umbridge folded her hands under her chin.
"We aren't teaching Defense so Dumbledore can't create a child army." Hermione snorted.
"I'm perfect little Hermione Granger and I've got the support of all the Slytherins and Harry Potter. What makes you think Dumbledore will stand a chance at recruiting an army when two-thirds of his Golden Trio is loyal to my grandfather? When we begin recruiting, my grandfather will just be angry because nobody will have a clue about the basics of defense." This was stretching things quite a bit, but she didn't think Umbridge would ever have an audience with Voldemort, therefore her words would be safe. Professor Umbridge began to sputter.
"Well, I was just...I wanted to..." Her half sentences were cut off by the door blowing open and her father looming in the door way.
"Hermione, are you well?" She gave him an exuberant nod. She wanted to emphasize that she had a powerful family so the old toad would allow them to learn defense.
"Yes, Daddy, we were discussing how angry Grandfather would be when his newest recruits weren't even able to cast a disarming jinx." Her father seemed to be confused for a moment, but hid it well.
"Indeed." Professor Umbridge pinched the bridge of her nose.
"I understand your thoughts on the matter, but the Ministry has ordered this course of action." Hermione gave a one-shoulder shrug.
"That's perfectly fine. I'll make sure to tell Grandfather that your loyalty is first to the Ministry so we can alter our plans." Severus held his hand out for her. She grasped it in hers as her father spoke.
"I warned you, Madam Umbridge, that you were never to oversee detentions involving my daughter. Minerva or myself will oversee them." She waved a hand at him dismissively.
"It wasn't a true detention, Severus. I wanted to question your daughter why she was so verbose during my class and she had a good reason. This doesn't warrant a punishment as it was an oversight on my part." Severus narrowed his eyes as he continued to stare at her.
"If you wish to assign my daughter detention or speak with her privately, it will go through me and I will be present. You won't like the consequences if this happens again, Madam Umbridge." The squat toad gave a jerky nod, obviously unnerved by being threatened by the Dark Lord's son.
"Of course, Severus, I apologize." Hermione allowed her father to wrap a protective arm around her shoulders and lead her towards the door. Just before they left, she halted and looked back to Umbridge.
"Remember my words, Professor. Consider your loyalties carefully." The toad gave a resolute nod and they went about their way.
Severus dragged her through the corridors and down into the dungeons so they could make use of his quarters. Once safely ensconced inside she gave him a brilliant smile that he most certainly did not return.
"The plan has been laid. I had to think on my feet, but hopefully we'll be able to learn defense now." Severus crossed his arms over his chest and the expression on his face showed that he wasn't pleased. Hermione sighed and took a seat on the couch.
"You know I didn't want you going there without me. I specifically told you that you weren't to spend a detention alone with her, that you were to come to Minerva or I." Hermione nodded and spoke softly.
"I'm sorry you worried. I didn't mean for that to happen at all. I just knew that I could manipulate her into believing that teaching actual defense would benefit the Dark Lord." Her father pinched the bridge of his nose and narrowed his eyes.
"Why does it matter what she teaches? You are teaching all the little heathens more than they would learn in class." Hermione nodded.
"We are. Her exam was ridiculous. Everyone but me failed it miserably because they couldn't remember the exact wording of the text. How many Death Eater families are going to allow this to slide? I did her a damn favor, she just doesn't realize it yet." Severus growled low in his throat, but Hermione knew that she had won the argument.
"I don't give two fucks about what the Death Eater families say, next time you say nothing to her and retrieve me. It is my job as your father to protect you." She gave a resolute nod once more.
"I will make you aware of the situation if it should happen again, Dad. I didn't mean to disappoint you." His features softened and he pulled her into a hug.
"I'm not disappointed, I just worry about keeping you safe. It's a thousand times worse than normal since I missed so much of your life." Hermione nodded and grinned.
"I'm aware. I like that you care." He pulled her into another rough hug.
"Witch, I'm your father. It would be quite the scandal if I didn't care." She grinned at him and nodded.
The pair shared a pot of tea over the course of an hour, keeping each other abreast on the goings-on of their lives. Hermione appraised him of how she had thought she had done on all of her exams, and he had told her the funnier stories of his exam schedule.
When they finally departed her father's chambers, Hermione began to make her way to the Room of Requirement. She knew that they had promised to meet up there and she was curious as to how their last defense class before holidays went. She paced the corridor in front of Barnabas the Barmy and wasn't surprised to see her two boyfriends debating something quidditch related on the couch before the fire.
-O-
Harry stretched out on the couch next to Draco. He was exhausted, D.A. classes always seemed to tired him out. Tonights class had gone exceptionally well, everyone asking after what had happened to Hermione.
Harry was still unhappy with the fact that she had scored herself a detention with the Umbridge hag. He hadn't been extremely worried about what would happen to her, she was more powerful than anyone else he knew after all. However, this didn't banish the worry completely.
He and Draco were caught up in a conversation about the latest match between the Tornadoes and Puddlemere United. They had just started to discuss the epic catch of the snitch when the door opened and Hermione entered, content look on her face. Both boys sprung to their feet and engulfed her in a hug.
Harry brushed hair back from her face as Draco was asking her about how detention went. She explained how Professor Snape had appeared after her manipulation of the toad. Harry could only hope that it worked since he was exhausted from doing her job. He wasn't about to hold his breath though.
No longer shy, Hermione stripped down to almost nothing on her way to the bed. She seemed just as exhausted as Harry was, but he wasn't surprised. She had studied a hundred times harder than anyone else in the school had and she had taken it upon herself to try to get better education for the student body at large.
Even though her knickers were still in place, Harry grinned as he stripped down to his boxers and joined both Hermione and Draco. He bent down and caught one of her rosy tips in his mouth, suckling hard, pulling a strangled gasp from her luscious lips. He released the pebbled flesh with a wet pop before he moved to kiss her.
He showed her no mercy as he took her mouth with his, tasting every inch of her and reveling in it. Harry was almost out of breath when he released her and glanced at Draco.
"'Mi, I want to watch Draco lick your cunt until you come on his face." Draco instantly looked excited. He didn't wait for Hermione to agree or disagree, the blond simply reached down and shoved her tiny knickers down her hips. Once they had been thrown over his shoulder to land somewhere on the floor, Draco spread her knees apart and stuck them to the bed as he was wont to do.
Harry couldn't stop his cock from hardening as he watched Draco bury his face in their own personal slice of heaven. Hermione gripped his blond hair in her fists and tugged as she saw fit. Draco didn't seem to mind the handfuls of hair that she was pulling. If anything it made him more intent on bringing her to completion.
The whimpers and moans escaping her mouth were enough to make Harry come in his boxers. It took great restraint to not leave a stain in his shorts. The Gryffindor had to admit that Draco was good with his tongue. Not even five minutes had passed when Hermione exploded on his tongue, soaking Draco's face with her copious amount of liquid desire.
Harry watched as Draco spread her lips apart and licked her clean, sucking every last drop of fluid she was willing to offer. When he released her knees from the bed, Harry had to chuckle when he realized that she was almost asleep.
Harry bent and kissed her, bringing her out of her stupor. When he released her mouth, he grinned down at her.
"Watching him lick you to orgasm is one of the hottest things I've ever seen." Draco chuckled from her other side.
"Next time I get to watch." Harry chuckled and threw the duvet over their bodies. After pressing a quick kiss to Hermione's temple, he shuffled closer so he could wrap a possessive arm around her waist. Draco was already snoring and Hermione was all but. Harry grinned to himself.
Who knew that life would lead him to this?
-O-
Albus was surprised when the castle pressed on his magic to show him that there was someone waiting outside the griffin to speak with him. He lifted the password ward and allowed entrance to whoever was waiting. Several moments passed and Ron Weasley let himself into his office.
"Mr. Weasley, what can I help you with tonight? Everything is fine?" Ron took the seat that Albus pointed at and heaved a sigh.
"I noticed that Crabbe called Hermione My Lady a few days ago and I decided to keep an eye on her in case she was trying to turn Harry to the dark side. Well, I followed her to Professor Umbridge's office tonight, she had gotten detention for telling the professor that she was why everyone failed their exams. I heard them talking, I used extendable ears, and she kept referring to her Grandfather. I didn't get to hear the whole conversation since Professor Snape showed up, but there's something fishy going on with Hermione. I didn't know who else to come to." Albus cursed inwardly, irritated beyond measure that the Weasley boy couldn't just mind his own business. Instead of berating him, Albus gave him a grandfatherly smile.
"Thank you, Mr. Weasley, I'll be sure to keep an extra close eye on Miss Granger and the company she keeps." A smile broke out on the young boy's face.
"That's all I needed, Professor, thank you." Albus stood and made a snap decision. As the Weasley boy turned to head towards the door, the Headmaster slid his wand into his hand and pointed it at Ron Weasley's head.
The obliviate left his mouth as a whisper and he was careful to remove any memory of Crabbe or spying on his ex-friend, also coming to Albus with the information he had discovered. When he lowered his wand, there was a vacant look on the redhead's face. Albus made sure to play his part.
"Thank you, Mr. Weasley, I'll see what I can do in regards to your complaints about Madam Umbridge's teaching skills." Ron looked confused but nodded as he scratched the back of his head.
"Thanks, Professor."
The redhead left without further ado and Albus settled back into the chair behind his desk. This year hadn't gone as he had planned. A mere student had broken through his shields and discovered every dirty secret he had ever held. Said student had demanded that he right most of the wrongs and then step down as Headmaster. While the thought of losing his position at the head of the school angered him, he was grateful that she wasn't going to expose his secrets as long as he complied. He would still be able to come out on top, Voldemort would be dead, and then maybe hand the school over to Minerva after citing exhaustion from the war.
As much as he hated to support someone that was blackmailing him, he knew that he had no other choice but to support Hermione and their current plan. Maybe if he proved to her how sorry he was about the things he had done, she would relent and let him keep his position. Sirius would have his name cleared in the morning, that should show her that he was willing to make amends.
Yes, he would do his best to play on her feelings of forgiveness and see if she would relent. It was the best he had.
A/N- Not quite as long as usual, but a decent sized chapter nonetheless. I hope you all enjoyed it, nothing too major like I said, but they can't all be thrillers. Leave me your thoughts, they're like chocolate and whiskey shots.
Next up, the return to Grimmauld Place and the Order discovers the truth about Hermione's paternity.
Love,
Alicia