Professor Dumbledore looked at the two students in front of him expectantly, "Well?",he asked, "Have you anything to say for yourselves?"
Hermione and Malfoy sat in front of the desk in Dumbledore's office. While Hermione was completely mortified, Malfoy seemed to be amused by the whole incident. He looked around the office smugly, a smirk perpetually painted across his face. Several portraits observed the scene curiously; their hushed whispers the only noise in the room. When Professor Dumbledore asked his question, Malfoy snapped his attention to the old man while Hermione stared down into her lap.
"Well you see Professor," Malfoy began innocently, "Granger here, she just threw herself at me!"
This animated Hermione, "You insufferable git!" she yelled. Reaching over she swatted him on the arm nearly causing herself to fall out of the chair.
Chuckling Malfoy pointed a thumb at her, "See professor, she's still all over me."
Sputtering indignantly, Hermione sat back in her chair and crossed her arms angrily. Her lower lip pouted out in a manner Malfoy secretly found adorable, as he looked her over amusedly. The Gryffindor's hair, which had become somewhat tamed this past year, was now quite bushy and Malfoy fancied he could see the electricity sparking out of the tangled strands.
Malfoy glanced at Professor Dumbledore, who didn't seem amused by this exchange. The usual twinkle in his eye was gone, replaced by a stern look that wiped the smile off of the Slytherin's face.
"Mr. Malfoy." The old wizard said calmly, "I assure you, I had a clear view from the Head Table. Need I remind you who went to whose table?"
"No." Draco conceded angrily. It was Hermione's turn to be smug as she shot Malfoy a triumphant look.
"Ms. Granger."
"Yes, Professor?", Hermione's smugness vanished as she nervously turned to the old wizard.
His wrinkled face softened as he looked at her through his half moon spectacles, "Please meet Professor McGonagall outside." He gave her a smile, "I will be having a talk with Mr. Malfoy here."
Gulping nervously, and praying that she wasn't going to end up having a talk about her private life with McGonagall, Hermione whisked out of the office without once looking back.
"Ms. Granger." McGonagall greeted formally. She had calmed down somewhat, after her initial fury earlier that morning, and decided to take a different approach in subduing the young Gryffindor.
"Professor.", Hermione replied as politely as she could manage. She stepped off of the staircase, and stood in front of the older woman awkwardly, clearing her throat nervously.
The older woman also looked somewhat uncomfortable, but finally said, "Ms. Granger, I don't usually do this, after all I am a teacher and a student's private life is not my concern but, Professor Dumbledore has, er, encouraged me to discuss certain things with you. Things to do with your apparent relationship with Mr. Malfoy. A girl to girl talk if you please."
It was the exact phrase Hermione had been dreading, screwing her eyes close and hoping to avoiding all this, she said, "Look , Professor we don't have to talk about this." Hermione tried to laugh it off dismissively as she looked at the older woman, "I have nothing going on with Malfoy!"
McGonagall snorted in disdain, "Indeed! Because snogging in the Great Hall is of no importance whatsoever!"
Biting back a retort, Hermione cocked a hip and stared down at the floor intently.
Sighing, McGonagall , softened her tone, "What is going on Ms. Granger? You've changed immensely since the beginning of this year."
Looking up at the Professor, Hermione could feel tears welling up in her eyes, "I know, Professor, it's Malfoy. He's insufferable!"
McGonagall gave Hermione a tight smile, "Don't judge him too harshly dear, he may surprise you yet and he seems interested in you, judging by that scene in the Hall."
"He doesn't mean it Professor! He's just messing with me, I know it."
The professor's smile suddenly turned sorrowful, "I'd suggest you give him a chance, Ms. Granger."
"But, what about Adrian?" Hermione protested. Her mind was a whirlwind. Could it be possible that Malfoy actually cared for her? He had given her that knife…but then again Adrian was so sweet, though after this morning he probably hated her.
"Well it looks like you have a choice to make." Unknowingly, the Professor was echoing Pansy's words. The last time she had been asked this question Hermione had known her answer instantly, Adrian was the obvious choice. He was sweet, considerate, and witty, the epitome of the perfect boyfriend. While Malfoy was moody, obviously mentally deranged, and threw things at people, the epitome of a toddler. Yet, Hermione could not forget the warm flutterings she got in her stomach when he had kissed her.
"I know." Hermione sighed heavily. She had a lot to think about.
"Yoohoo!" McGonagall and Hermione were interrupted when suddenly they were approached by a bustling Rita Skeeter. The overbearing reporter was wearing a blazer in an obnoxious shade of pink over an overly ruffled blouse, while her skirt was the same color as the blazer. Her heels clacked loudly as she all but ran down the hallway toward the professor and Hermione.
Hermione groaned, she had completely forgotten about the idiotic woman.
"Normally I do not approve of running in the hallways.", McGonagall whispered to Hermione, "But now you have my full permission."
At this hasty dismissal, Hermione turned to leave, before turning back and saying, "Thank you, Professor!"
She had given her a lot to think about after all.
Malfoy eyed the elderly wizard sitting across from him warily, who was staring at Malfoy with a pleasant smile on his face. Malfoy found it extremely creepy. The truth was, Dumbledore had always unnerved the Slytherin, and he would never verbally admit it but he was afraid of the powerful wizard. The old man had a way of seeing right through people, and Malfoy hated being easy to read as a book.
Dumbledore finally broke the lengthy silence, "Mr. Malfoy."
"Yes?"
"I must confess, I am confused about your intentions toward Ms. Granger. Would you care to enlighten me?" the professor's eyes were trained intently on the young Slytherin.
Malfoy gaped. Dumbledore, admitting he was confused? Now this was too good an opportunity to pass up. Malfoy smirked and leaned back casually, even daring to prop his feet up on the edge of the desk. The older man raised a brow at this but made no comment.
"No." Malfoy said smugly answering the professor's question.
"No?", Dumbledore raised another brow.
"No." replied Malfoy in a childish manner. He was being immature and he knew it, but in truth he was avoiding the question because he didn't know the answer.
"Mr. Malfoy, do you fancy yourself in love with her?"
Malfoy's breath hitched in his throat. Love? With Granger?
"Well, I-" Malfoy thought about it for a second. Something about Granger fascinated him for sure. He hadn't realized it until that one day she had confronted him in the hallway, when she said something about finding answers. He now realized she was just being her usual stubborn and determined self, but at the time it had him more than a little concerned that she would do some digging into his private life and bring up his father's…extracurricular activities and his attempt to involve his son in them. So he had tried to bully Granger,more than usual, even going to far as to stake a claim on her with the knife. He hadn't meant it seriously, he had only hoped that it would keep her distanced from him. It backfired though, when he suddenly found himself attracted to the Gryffindor's spirit. He found he couldn't stay away. Then Pucey came along. Even now, Malfoy's blood practically began to boil at the thought of his fellow Slytherin draping himself all over Granger. Mafloy shook himself out of his reverie, how was he to explain all this to Dumbledore?
Finally he answered the question that still hovered in the air, "No, I'm not in love with her professor." Yet, he added silently to himself.
"But it could grow to be love." Merlin, but the man was perceptive.
Nodding hesitantly, Malfoy glanced up at the professor expecting him to be wearing a smug look but was surprised to see that that trademark twinkle was back in the older man's eyes.
"Yes." Malfoy whispered.
Dumbledore smiled kindly at the Slytherin, "Very well Mr. Malfoy, you may go.
And talk to Ms. Granger about this ,yes?"
A/N: Well it's been an interesting week…earthquakes, hurricane preparation etc. Lovely weather we're having here, really. Anyway, I wanted to get this update in before the hurricane hits and school starts, both of which will prevent me from updating. So hopefully you liked this chapter :) Thanks so much for all your reviews on the last chapter and lemme know what you think of this one. And to my readers on the U.S. East Coast, and anyone else in the hurricane's path: Stay safe!