Defense Against the Dark Arts: Lucius Abraxas Malfoy style
Morning came and Hermione stretches languidly as the early sunlight filtered through her ruby red drapes. Lazily wiping the sleep from her eyes, turning to see her enlarged timetable on the side of her bedside table. Her eyes widened at her schedule.
Of course it had been three weeks since the beginning of term, but she still didn't feel quite at ease with a double period of Defense Against the Dark Arts with Professor Malfoy. Where Moody was authoritative, Malfoy was cool and composed. Where Lupin was excitable, Malfoy was emotionless. But one thing can be said about Lucius Abraxas Malfoy, he was thorough. Hermione, letting go of her weariness, liked the professor's thoroughness.
She summoned her clothing and padded off to the bathroom, where she took a quick shower. When she emerged from the bathroom with a clouds of steam billowing behind her she was greeted by a shirtless, very grumpy Draco.
''Good morning to you too, sunshine.'' Hermione greeted merrily, laughing when she elicited a grunt from the obviously tired blonde.
''Too happy,'' he grumbled ''how are you this happy in the morning?'' he asked not waiting for an answer as he trod into the steam filled room. Moments later a ''Bloody hell, Hermione! I can't see a bloody thing!'' emitted from the bathroom, only making her laugh that much harder.
Half an hour later, Draco emerged in a rather chirpy mood to greet an impatient Hermione. ''Sometimes Draco, I wonder what you would be like if you were a girl'' she commented with mirth. ''As a boy you already take twice as long as I do in the shower, let's not mention the hair and the amount of production that goes in it.'' she laughed thinking herself quite the comedian. The only response was a half hearted glare and a small smirk from the blonde. "I really can't be bothered waiting for you. I'll see you in Defense against the Dark Arts. With your father, Such fun.''
Hermione took her usual place at the Gryffindor table. But something, she noticed, was not right. Besides, the vibes that she usually felt were correct. She turned around to see that the whole Hall had gone quiet as Draco was walking towards her. Her mouth twitched in interest. What could have happened this early in the morning for him to come and consult me? She thought to herself.
"Draco, Whatever is the matter?" Hermione asked him as he took a place next to her, pulling out a parchment. Suprisingly, at the same time Pansy, Blaise, Luna and Adrian came and took places at the Gryffindor table without any compunction. This situation was normal, but slightly suspicious to Hermione. Something fishy was going on.
"It seems our speculations were correct, and father always held pride in the fact he could keep his agenda unknown.'' Draco scoffed at his father's ability, or lack thereof, to keep to himself. ''Father sent me an owl, saying, and I quote 'Pavo and I have discussed the opportunity of a marriage contract between you and Hermione that happens to be in existence.' I guess that's your letter arriving now." He quipped as her owl dropped a piece of parchment on her lap.
Her hands were shaking in shock as she fumbled with the official Zabini seal to open the letter. Her eyes widining with contained interest. It read:
Our dearest daughter,
We have heard of your relationship with Draco and we am quite happy for both of you. Although, this may sound a happy letter, which it is, we have been discussing matters of late with Lucius and have happened upon a most interesting document.
Being the smart witch you are, we have no doubt that you've been speculating on what Lucius said to you a few weeks back. We are writing you to confirm those suspicions.
Your brother, Draco and all other parties have been sent letter which discusses this, but there will be one large difference. Enclosed in this letter is my (your father's) engagement ring of which your mother gave to me.
In Draco's letter the Malfoy engagement ring will be enclosed. This is only precautionary, if ever either of you decides to propose to the other.
Every detail will be discussed at home on the weekend. We have already sought permission from Headmistress McGonagall.
Hope everything goes well,
Mother and father
''The gall!'' Hermione exclaimed under her breath, ''How do they come off giving you and I engagement rings, when the others have no such item with their letter?'' she said turning to Draco.
Draco had the decency to look slightly shocked as he responded, ''Don't sound so shocked Mione, it is after all standard wizarding practise. Don't sound so excited the thought of being engaged.'' he affected a kicked puppy look as he said the last sentence.
This only earned him a playful hit on the arm and a quick peck on the cheek, ''Oh, hush, you!'' she chided ''I'm just shocked with the rings, is all.'' She turned back to the table to assess the damage the letters had done to Pansy, Blaise, Adrian and Luna.
Blaise sat there slightly shocked as the letter hovered menacingly in front of him. Luna, sat there with the hands folded in her lap and a far away look in her eye, as if nothing was the matter. Adrian was much in the same state as Draco, shocked into silence but wary of the conversations that were sure to take place in the near future. Pansy, being ever poised refused to make a comment or an unnecessary face at the letter. Her mother had already rid both sisters of previously stipulated marriage contracts, hence giving them freedom of choice.
The tense atmosphere was cut when Ginny happily skipped into the hall, softly shoving Draco to the side only to sit between the two head students. Only ten minutes later did the bell ring, signalling that classes were beginning in 5 minutes.
''It is my understanding that you bunch have begun to understand and grasp fully, the art of wand lore and duelling'' Professor Malfoy drawled as he took place behind the large projector, tapping it twice with his wand. Whirring noises issues from the object as he continued. ''I'm also aware that very few of you understand what a non-verbal spell is executed. Shall I demonstrate?''
Not waiting for an answer, Lucius pointed to Hermione. ''Miss Zabini are you aware of the incantation 'Obsideo'?'' she nodded whilst the class murmured about what the curse could possibly do. He nodded before he accio'd her wand, signalling that he was indeed ready.
Two minutes later the class was shocked to find their big bad professor, on his knees gesturing to his throat as face turned a deathly shade of white. Turning for her seat, Hermione silently accio'd her wand and muttered out the counter-curse.
Once he had recovered from his previous state, Lucius commended Hermione. ''Well done, Ms. Zabini. That'll be 15 points to Slytherin and 5 for Gryffindor. Now,'' he continued conjuring up a glass of water. ''Performing nonverbal spells is very difficult and requires great mental discipline and a healthy dose of practice and concentration.''
The class groaned, knowing he amount of practical and theoretical work that was about to be bestowed upon them. ''In a duel or life and death situations it gives you a very important and split-second advantage. You're adversary has no warning about what kind of magic you are about to perform.'' Again there were a smattering of groans, generally from the Gryffindor side of the room. ''Now, thanks to the Headmistress and her lovely idea of inter-house relations I shall pair you up with opposing sexes and houses.'' Another round of groans were heard but quickly silenced by the famous Malfoy glare.
''Mr. Zabini, Ms. Weasley. Malfoy, Patil. Ms. Zabini, Nott. Mr. Weasley and Ms. Parkinson,'' almost simultaneously, the Parkinson sisters' heads shot up. Lucius corrected his mistake. ''Pansy Parkinson and Weasley. Potter and Amara Parkinson. Longbottom and Astoria Greengrass. Pucey and Brown. Greengrass and Thomas. Davis and Finnegan.''
Chairs scraped against the cold stone floor of the dungeon classroom as yet another round of complains issues from the mouths of the students. This time only complaining with the partnering scheme. The main source of grumbling came from Neville, Dean and Seamus; the only 3 Gryffindor who still weren't quite fond of the thought of befriending the Slytherins. The three friends stayed close together and waited for their allotted partners to approach them.
''All right, here's the deal.'' Daphne Greengrass declared as the trio of girls approached the remaining Gryffindor boys. ''We, us girls, are ready to put our differences behind us. Truce?'' she asked as all three girl raised their dainty hands, waiting for a handshake.
The boys cautiously lifted their hands and shook the proffered hand, still warily staring at the women before them. Before they could utter a word, Tracy Davis spoke up. ''No this is not one of our elaborate jokes, pranks or plots. We just want this nonsense rivalry done with, this does not count Quidditch though.'' She added as an afterthought. To this the boys nodded and the class continued without much fanfare.
That was true until there were a series of crashes and shattering objects. It seemed that Hermione and Theo had gotten rather enamoured with using their duelling skills. The magic aura was crackling wildly as the continued to engage in their heated combat.
A purple beam emitted from Hermione's forefinger, not intended for Theo, but for the intruder. A sickening crunch of bones was heard along with a yelp of pain, just before she sent another well aimed non-verbal and wandless curse at the offender.
The class gasped at the ferocity of the usually calm and collected Head Girl. They all turned towards their professor who was standing still in shock of Hermione's skill. ''Miss Zabini, I have never known someone of your age to be as advanced in wandless or non-verbal magic, much less both. But what is much more interesting is that I have never seen those curses being performed.'' Lucius said raising an eyebrow in Hermione's direction. ''And, from all the ancient tommes that are accessible to students, including teachers and even the most advances wizards, I have never read of those specific spells. Tell me, what were those spells.''
''Gravis dolore and emarcesco, sir.'' Hermione stated. ''No sir, these spells and curses were not in existence up until two nights ago. I was experimenting with producing my own spells.''
Again there was stunned silence that enveloped the room, ''It seems, Ms. Zabini, that you have surpassed the knowledge and skill of many of my former allies.'' the professor said with a measured amount of awe. ''Care to explain the meanings and effects of each curse?''
''Gravis dolore. Latin for crushing pain. I was, against my morals and conscience, playing around with the unforgivables.'' At this the class gasped. She continued, ''I was intending to cause a different, more curable pain. That is when I thought of maybe using a different form of the latin word 'pain'. This is much like 'crucio' but the pain is felt instantly, and there is no need to play with the victim. In turn with the pain, comes the crushing of the bones.''
''Emarcesco,'' she continued, ''Is Latin for shrinking. Different from other shrinking spells or curses, this shrinks s single body part simply by thought.'' All the males in the classroom flinch at the implied region of the body. Lucius' eyebrows disappeared into his already receding hairline, he was simply shocked and in awe of this wonderfully skilled which standing before him.
Note to self: Do not cross Hermione. Her brother and friends will kill you. But she will resurrect you and do much, much worse. Draco thought to himself.
The loud ring of the bell ended all thoughts and signified that the period had finished. Lucius levitated the body and began walking to the Headmistress's office with Hermione, Draco and company in tow.