Hermione arrived forty-five minutes before the time she'd told Draco on purpose, knowing that she'd need the extra time to prepare the Sanguis Potion. Before going to the Owlery, she'd made sure to pack everything she would need to make the potion, shrinking all of it and stashing it in her pockets.
Pulling the necessary tools and ingredients from her robes, Hermione said a quick "finite incantatum" to release everything from its shrunken state. She whispered a heating charm for the bottom of the cauldron and then began to prepare all of the ingredients, slicing the asphodel root and the dragonfly's wings. The Sanguis Potion was practically second nature to her now, having prepared it a few times in class, and she went through the motions of making it without really thinking.
When she reached the last step it had been nearly forty minutes, and she knew Draco would arrive at the abandoned classroom in only a few short moments. It was difficult to busy herself, but Hermione did the best she could, checking and rechecking that she had completed the procedure correctly.
The Potion had turned the proper green color and was simmering as Hermione sat at an old desk to wait for Draco to arrive. She kicked her legs impatiently as she waited, her eyes trained on the door across the room. It felt as though time had been feeling especially malevolent and had decided to slow, just for her.
The door flew open so suddenly that Hermione nearly jumped out of her skin, and seeing Draco Malfoy shadowed in the door frame did nothing to calm her nerves. He looked almost dangerous; an imposing figure, draped in dim light. As he moved toward her, however, Hermione could just barely see the ever-present shadows under his eyes, the tired way that he held his head. Resolve coursed through her; this boy needed her help.
Hermione smiled. "Malfoy."
Draco gave her a glare. "Why did you call me here, Mudblood?"
The tone—and the word—he used hurt her, but she tried to ignore it. She knew he was simply reacting to the poor way she'd treated him the last time they'd met. "For two reasons, actually," she replied, "One—to apologize. I acted very poorly the other day and—"
"—I couldn't have cared less." Draco interrupted, his tone cold. "In fact, I'd even forgotten until you mentioned it just now."
His flippancy grated on her nerves, especially when she had something so important to discuss with him. "Look, Malfoy, I know that's a lie, alright?"
"Oh, really?" he asked, studying her face. Hermione searched his own, and as hard as she tried, she could not find a flicker of fear or any emotion other than hate in his features.
"Really!" she affirmed, feeling slightly less sure of herself and trying to not let it show, "I know you wanted me to—to help you."
At this, Draco burst into a peal of laughter. "Help me? You? Help me?" he mocked her, "Oh, that's rich. A mudblood like you helping me, Draco Malfoy!"
Hermione felt horribly embarrassed, wondering if she had truly imagined the entire exchange between Draco and herself. But then, the image of his pleading look in the library returned to her, and she found her passion renewed. "Yes, that's right. You need help, Draco. And I don't care if I'm a mudblood, I'm the only one that's offering any so you may as well take it!"
For a moment, Draco was silent, but he quickly recovered. Seething, he walked right up to her so that they were face to face, glare to glare. He leaned down so that they were mere inches apart.
"Don't ever use my given name when addressing me, Mudblood." He hissed, "You're too lowborn for it."
Hermione's eyes narrowed. "Only following your example from the other day in the library, Malfoy."
Because of their close proximity, Hermione was able to his face more clearly, and could tell that he recalled calling her by her first name in his moment of desperation perfectly. She could also tell that it bothered him greatly. Draco took a step back from her, but his eyes never left her own.
"I'm leaving. Don't contact me again." He turned away, walking stiffly toward the door, "There's no way you can help me."
Hermione felt panic rise in her as he made his way toward the door. Desperately, she cried out, "But what if I've already figured out how!"
A/N: Does Draco come back? I know and you don't, haha!
I can tell reviews are working again because I got 15 reviews this time—thanks, everyone! Kazeyumi Kistune-Hyuga, darkygirl, Featherz, SilverKestrel, mnmmaniac, magicalwriter, WinniethaPoo92, Toxxic-hugs, hpobsessor, BlueIrishEyes, Dajana, FaithfulPureLight, crazy-emerald-blue, tay4evaashes, and Erytha:D And thanks to everyone who has favorited/story alerted this story. I know I've thanked you before, but I recently broke 50 favorites lists and 80 alerts, which makes me feel pretty cool. Haha.
Please review!!
MINISCULE REVISIONS 11/11/07
