Chapter Twenty-One

Condemned

"You two have caused quite a stir here," Dumbledore informed unnecessarily.

Draco, and Hermione sat in the headmasters office. Dumbledore sat behind his desk, his fingers tapping together in his usual thoughtful way. Hermione felt awful. If they hadn't been wandering through the corridors none of it would happen. Granted no one was seriously hurt, Goyle would have to spend a night in the infirmary, but there was no serious damage.

"What's our punishment, sir?" Hermione watched his eyes twinkle.

"You know, Miss Granger, I was young once. I know that's hard to believe." He winked. "I understand love, and war. It seems that you two are in both. There will be no punishment given, but I'm sure you'll understand I'll have to do something before a serious incident occurs."

"Yes, sir."

"There is an empty classroom on the third floor. It is quite large, It is already set it up nicely for both of you. I'm sorry to say that we do not have an extra classroom, but I'm sure you two don't mind sharing," he chuckled.

Draco smirked "What about our classes, sir?"

"You will go on with your day as you would if you were in your own common rooms. This is only for your safety. During classes there will be teachers, and out in the hallway... Well, I trust that you won't spend much time there. I know Mr. Potter will gladly watch out for you, Miss Granger, I believe he has done so once already. As for you, Mr. Malfoy. Best keep a low profile. Now, off we trot, I must show you your new living quarter. Then, it's to bed, it's been a long day, and a long night."

The three made their way out of the office down the staircase, and up more to the third corridor. Dumbledore stopped at a huge door with a brass handle. Inside Dumbledore was right, it was huge. They walked into a sitting room. There were gold, and green chairs, and a couch surrounding a lit fireplace. Above the mantle were two banners, one of the Slytherin mascot, the snake, and the other of the Gryffindor lion.

Ahead of them through an archway they saw the kitchen. It was rather small, but was complete with all the essentials they would need.

To the left was a smaller version of the door they came through. It was cracked open, and Hermione could see a two twin beds, a dresser, and another door that she was sure was the bathroom.

"Go on, take a look, I think you will find it's rather unpretentious."

Hermione went into the bedroom. The bed's covers were green, but the pillows gold. She liked the compromise of the rival houses in one living space. She peeked into the bathroom. There was a simple bath, and shower, a sink, all glittering white.

She walked back out, Draco looking already comfortable on the couch. "It's lovely, sir."

"I'm glad you think so, Miss Granger. At this time I must leave you. I suggest that you two a good nights rest."

They were left alone. Draco got to his feet, and took her in his arms. "Come on, lets get some sleep. I need to be on my guard tomorrow, I don't have Potter looking out for me."

She chuckled, and they went into the bedroom where Draco cursed. "Twin beds?"

"We're in school, Draco, what'd you expect?"

He shrugged taking out his wand. The beds flew together to form one large one. "Much better."

She slapped his arm playfully, and they began to dress into their night clothes, Draco taking a peek over his shoulder through every item she put on.

As they slipped under the covers she realized how right it felt, Draco next to her, his even breaths on the back of her neck, his arms around her.

In a last hopeful thought of the night she thought that just maybe the rest of the school year would go smoothly. All she had to do was keep on her guard.

The next morning they ate breakfast in their new common room. Draco, and Hermione weren't about to risk eating in the Great Hall. Harry waited outside the door for Hermione.

"How -" She started to ask when she opened the door.

"Dumbledore told me," he said shortly. "For the rest of the year, I'm your shadow." He turned to Draco who stood behind her. "We're going down to the lake during break. You're welcome to join us."

Draco sneered at him, looking him over as if sizing up his truthfulness. "Fine." He kissed Hermione's cheek, and stared back at Harry. "Watch after her?"

"That's my intention."

Hermione sniffed indignantly. "You know, I can take care of myself."

Neither of the boys were listening, they seemed to be having a stare down to which Draco retreated down the hallway, opposite of where they walked.

"Harry, if you stand any closer to me, people are going to think we're a couple."

Harry's shoulder touched hers as they strolled the halls. "Sorry," he mumbled stepping a short ways from her.

Students jostled them as they usually did, but with a new gentleness, but she knew it was only because Harry was with her. She leaned up, and whispered in his ear, "how's Ron?"
He huffed, "mad as fire still."

Hermione sighed. "He'll never forgive me."

"Wouldn't go that far... He might. He just needs time."

"That'll be forever. He thought Crookshanks ate Scabbers, and he didn't speak to me for months..."

"You're the smartest witch of our age, Hermione. I know you saw this coming."

She nodded as they walked into Transfiguration, McGonagall at the front of the class, her cat-like spectacles, and strict air. Dozens of eyes followed her every moment from the point she walked in, to the point of her taking out her school book. If only she had Harry's cloak on at these times so she could be hidden from the world of condemning stares.

Their break couldn't have come quickly enough. Harry followed her everywhere, and stood outside the door when she went to the lavatory. She vividly recalled how annoying it was when she was here before the war.

Ginny joined Harry, and her by a tree near the lake that gave off the best shade. Harry held Ginny while Hermione focused one the essay Professor Bins had assigned them. She was, of course already over the three page limit he had set, but all of her professors were used to this. An extra five pages was needed to go into better depth of the Goblin Rebellion.

A darker shadow eclipsed her, and she glimpsed up to see Draco, a deep purple bruise under his right eye.

"Draco, what happened?" She set down her parchment, and quill. He dropped beside her, his pack falling from his shoulder.

"Had a run-in with Pansy. That girl can throw quite a punch."

"Why'd she hit you?"

"Probably because I called her a pig."

Hermione felt like she was missing something. "Why?"
"Because she called you a mudbl -" He ceased in mid-sentence. "It's not as bad as it looks."

"We can go to Hagrid, he'll have a cold steak for that."

Draco held her arm placing a kiss on her shoulder. "Don't, it's okay. It'll go away. And anyway, if Pansy doesn't see that she didn't leave a mark she might curse me, and that girl's curses are worse than her punches."

This had all caught Harry, and Ginny's attention. Hermione had only just remembered that they were there.

"Potter, Weasley," Draco greeted with a curt nod.

They nodded back, "Malfoy."

He turned back to Hermione. A light breeze ruffled their hair, a strand falling over Hermione's lips. With a single finger Draco slid it away brushing over her lips, and tucking it behind her ear. He kissed her lips. They broke apart when they heard a yell.

"Oy, you!" Ron's face was contorted in rage. He ran up to them, and before they could grasp what was happening he gripped Draco's front robes pulling him to his feet.

"What's the matter, Weasel, lose your only sickle?"

"Draco, don't encourage him!"

Ron's eyes were nearly red with fire. He shoved Draco back, and threw a punch to his jaw, making Draco stumble backwards against the tree.

Hermione jumped up, and ran towards Ron pushing him. "How dare you! You foul, pathetic bug!"

Ron heaved with anger. "He's Malfoy! Don't you realize that?! He's been calling you a mudblood since our second year! He's hated you from our first! How can you do this?"

"That's none of your business!"

"It isn't? I thought we were friends!"

Hermione felt tears burn her eyes. "We were, but to be my friend you have to trust me. Don't you trust me?"

"Of course I do, but I don't trust him." He jerked his head in the direction of Draco.

Draco pushed himself from the tree then. He came close to Ron's face. "Do you really think that I would kiss her, hold her, if I didn't have any feelings towards her?!"
"Would you? Your father wouldn't approve."

Draco's fists clenched at his sides mimicking Ron's. "I was disowned Weasley. I'm poorer than you. Go ahead, relish it."

Ron smiled wickedly as if he had won against the best chest player. "Is that so, Malfoy? So, Hermione's not only dating the bouncing ferret of Slytherin, that ferret is dirt poor." He glared at Hermione. "Nice choice. Of all the boys in school you chose him. You'd been better off with Krum." Ron scurried off the way he came leaving them staring after him.

Ginny gave a loud sigh when he was out of hearing range. "I apologize for my brother, you two. I didn't think he'd be such a prat about this. I suppose I'll owl mum about his behavior."

"Don't bother, Ginny." Hermione snatched up her pack. "He'll get over it on his own. I don't want his mother making him. Lets go, Draco."

And they left towards the school, Draco taking her hand along the way. It was when he squeezed it comfortingly that she realized that she was shaking with anger.