Chapter 37: A Remarkable Detention
A/N: Finally, an opportunity to post something. I hope you enjoy.
Draco had devoted the previous week to revising with the fifth and seventh years in preparation for their OWLs and NEWTs respectively. In addition to this, he had been appointing assignments of epic proportions to every year. The only drawback to this however, was that he had to mark every assignment. But, regardless of this atrocity, this mid-term review would was necessary. It would determine the coursework after the Easter hols leading up to OWLs , NEWTs, and final exams. He not only wanted his students prepared, he wanted their marks to leave no question about his ability to teach. In some of his classes he was finding it difficult enough to hold the students' attention, but with Potter hovering about in those same classes it was nearly impossible at times.
"Greengrass! Pay attention!" he growled impatiently at the sixth year. He had spent the previous ten minutes explaining the proper wand technique for the spell and she had spent every second glaring at Potter.
He knew it was a bad idea allowing Potter entrance to this class, but when he blocked Potter from the seventh year Slytherin-Gryffindor class, he failed to do so for the sixth year as well. Though at the time, he was thinking only of keeping Potter away from his wife, even if he had denied this to Potter when the chosen-idiot had the nerve to accuse him of the very thing..
Now however, he was paying for his oversight. The Gryffs hero-worshipped Potter and the Slytherins were restraining themselves from physically or magically attacking him. The only thing the two houses managed accomplish together was not paying attention to his instruction, Greengrass especially.
"Miss Greengrass, I have asked you repeatedly to pay attention to the lesson. Since you cannot manage to do so now, perhaps you can get your priorities in order during detention tonight at 8 o'clock," Draco stated glaring at the girl before turning back to rest of the class. He failed to notice the slight smirk on her face as the detention was assigned.
Colin hadn't stopped smiling since he joined his two favorite witches at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall. He was reveling in every miserable moment Harry Potter spent scowling at Severus Snape and Draco Malfoy. He knew it would only be a matter of time before Potter fouled up, but less than an hour after his arrival was beyond comprehension.
"You don't have to enjoy it so much," Ginny admonished.
"I don't know what you're talking about," he replied feigning innocence.
"You know very well what I'm talking about."
"Come on, Gin. Please let me have this moment," he begged. "Nobody, well almost nobody," he corrected glancing at Natalie, "could have predicted he'd mess up this soon. Even I gave him four days in the wager."
"The wager, what wager? Ginny asked incredulously.
Well, we were betting if he'd screw up again," Natalie replied sheepishly.
"No," Colin rebutted. "We were betting when he'd bullocks it up. Gin, even you have to admit that you two have a history of him constantly and consistently being an arse then apologizing for it," he tried to rationalize without success. "And you dutifully forgive him each time."
"That's…that's horrid," she snapped. No matter how truthful it was, it sounded horrible when put in those terms. She looked to Natalie who had remained uncommonly quiet for support. "Back me up on this, Nat,"
"I don't think she can," Colin answered smugly as Natalie blushed a beautiful guilt ladened scarlet and shoved a bite into her mouth to avoid answering any questions for the moment.
"And just why not?"
"She won."
"Natalie!" she exclaimed.
"What?" she answered with a cheeky grin. "We weren't the only ones in on this!"
"Uggh!!" Ginny grunted. "So, who else tried to benefit from my misery?"
"The entire Gryffindor quidditch team, all of the sixth years, seventh years, and most of the fifth year boys," Natalie answered.
"Merlin! So, how much did you win?"
"Fifty galleons," she replied proudly.
"Fifty? I'm glad my misfortune could be profitable for you," Ginny grumbled.
"Yeah, it sure was," Colin pouted. "But I'm a shoe-in for the current round. I'm banking on the fact that you can't ever stay mad at Potter."
Ginny just shook her head in disgust not noticing the dark haired Auror walk by. "The only way I'd forgive Ha--Potter would be for him to wear Ron's old bottle green, frilly laced dress robes with the words 'I'm a big tosser' flashing in bright pink letters on the back into the Great Hall for everyone to see. And that my friends will never happen because the great prat hates drawing attention to himself and I don't matter enough to him to warrant him embarrassing himself like that," she answered smugly.
Two days later, he proved her wrong.
Draco sat at the head table glowering at the Slytherin table and especially at Astoria Greengrass. He'd had his fill of the witch and her utter disrespect. He could care less if she was enthralled with him, but he would not have her disrespecting him in his own classroom in front of other students. If she wouldn't respect him, she would respect the position and he'd be the one to make her do just that.
He sat thinking of all the truly heinous things he could have her accomplish for her detention and for the first time, he was envious of his godfather. There were so many disgusting potion ingredients and preparations for using those ingredients to choose from, but he'd have to settle for having the witch clean cages or reorganize his shelves. He could pawn her off to Filch, but then he'd not be able to enjoy her agony. That thought put a satisfied smirk on his face.
"I shudder to think what that look holds," Severus stated as he sat next to Draco.
"She deserves the retribution," he stated smugly.
"She?" Severus asked following Draco's line of vision. "Ah, Miss Greengrass again, is it?"
"I've had it with her lack of respect in my class. She refuses to listen to instructions and glares at Potter during the entire lesson. She's going to hurt herself or someone else if it doesn't stop."
Severus smirked. "Believe me Draco, I understand your frustration. After all, I had you and Potter along with Weasley and Granger for seven years. Not a day went by when one of you were guilty of the same crime." Severus laid his utensils gently on his plate and turned to face Draco. "She's an angry young woman, Draco. She blames Potter for her father's incarceration and she's also angry because you rejected her."
"I have never given her any indication that I have ever been interested in her," Draco retorted angrily.
"Be that as it may, she was aware of the betrothal nearly from its inception and was led to believe that you were meant to be with her. Now, that has changed, for the better I might add, but I'd be careful around her. An angry viper will eventually strike."
Draco snorted and returned to his breakfast. Moments later he noticed the din of the Great Hall come to a complete halt. He glanced toward the door to see Potter walk through. "The whole castle stops just for the blighter to eat his breakfast," Draco grumbled under his breath.
"What in Salazar's name is he wearing?" Severus asked as the silence of the hall was invaded by snickering laughter that magnified as Potter reached the head table."
"That's… no, that can't be. That's Weasley's dress robes from the Yule Ball in fourth year," Draco said aghast. Those robes were so ridiculous that they were hard to forget. As much as he disliked Ron Weasley, even he felt sorry for the pillock for having to wear that atrocity.
"I don't recall that being on Weasley's robes then," Severus added as Potter turned to face the Gryffindor table.
"Mr. Potter, what is the meaning of this?" demanded an outraged Professor McGonagall as she leapt from her chair at the head table.
"Just a little penance," Harry replied with as much dignity as he could afford.
"Please tell me, Mr. Potter that you do not plan on disrupting classes all day with that…that vulgar display."
"That depends," he answered.
"On what, if I may ask?" she snipped.
"If Ginny forgives me," he replied.
"Of all the… Follow me, Potter," she demanded storming through the Great Hall stopping momentarily at the Gryffindor table. "Come, Miss Prewett." Ginny rose quickly following her austere head of House.
The duo followed the outraged professor to her office with Ginny glaring at Harry Potter the entire way however, neither deigned to speak to one another. Once they arrived, the professor opened the door and ushered the young adults inside and slammed the door with enough force to cause the windows to rattle. Before either of the stunned occupants could comment, she then rounded on the couple.
"I have never been more outraged by any of my students or former students in my lifetime! Considering the fact that I taught your father and his friends, Mr. Potter not to mention your uncles and your twin brothers, Miss Prewett I would have to say that this is quite the accomplishment."
"The two of you have known each other for years and have been through quite a lot together because of it. I will not have either if you disrupting this school with whatever nonsense that has caused Potter to wear this deplorable display," she paused only a moment to catch her breath. "Now the two of you will remain in this room until you sort this out and if you are late for class, Miss Prewett you will serve detention—with me! Do I make myself clear?" the stern professor demanded.
Ginny and Harry both nodded slightly afraid to speak to the outraged professor as she snorted and summoned their wands on her way out of her office. "You may collect these when you're done. I'll be in my classroom."
Ginny stood watching her Head of House as the usually unflappable professor ranted at herself and Potter. She couldn't believe that the great prat had found out what she had said and that he had worn the bloody robes. Not to mention that she was now being talked down to as if this were some great prank gone awry of which they had both been involved.
"This is entirely your fault!" Ginny screamed as soon as the door closed behind the professor.
"My fault? If you hadn't flown off the handle and let me say what I needed to say, none of this would have happened!"
"You…you're blaming me? If you hadn't been here in the first place, everything would have been fine," she fumed.
"I didn't exactly have a choice and it's not like you didn't know I'd be here!"
"I didn't exactly expect that you'd you to want to speak to me. I'm not exactly sure why you'd want to talk to me in the first place considering you haven't spoken two words to me since my birthday six months ago!"
"That's what I wanted to talk to you about," he replied softer as the tension was purged from his body.
Ginny sighed heavily running her fingers through her hair. This was a conversation she'd already had with Ron and wasn't really looking forward for a repeat performance, especially with Harry.
"I-did-not-plan-what happened! I don't know how many times or how many different ways I can explain this. Besides, it's not like you're the poster boy for propriety," she sneered.
Harry clenched his jaw and took several deep breaths. "I know," he stated stiffly. "All I wanted to do was apologize," he responded through clenched teeth trying not to lose control of his temper.
"What?" she asked as his answer caught her completely by surprise.
"I wanted to apologize. I was being a prat. You didn't deserve to be treated like that, especially on your birthday."
'No, I didn't," she agreed. "So, why, what made you do it?"
"I…I was angry-angry at you, but mostly angry at myself."
"Yourself, I don't see how this had anything to do with you."
"No, you wouldn't, but…if I hadn't… Luna… you know. We'd still be together and well, you wouldn't have been in that situation. And even if you had been, it wouldn't have caused such an uproar with your family because it would have been with me and not…him."
"Wait…" Ginny began, but either Harry didn't hear her, or he ignored her interruption.
"Then, finding out it was Malfoy- Malfoy, Gin," Harry stated shaking his head. "I still don't understand that. How did we miss that? When were you even together? Ugghh!" he grunted rubbing the back of his neck to lessen the tension. "I just…it…it should have been me…us, not you and Malfoy. Honestly, I can't help but think I've ruined every chance I may have had to be in your life. "
"Harry…"
"Let me finish, please then you can say all you want," he pleaded. She nodded her head and waited for him to continue. "Ginny, you'll never know how sorry I am for what I did. I knew our relationship wasn't ready for that step and I didn't want to pressure you…"
"So you went to my best friend?" she blurted.
"No, she came to me."
"That makes it so much better," she snapped.
"Honestly Gin, I never should have been in any relationship at that time. I've come to realize that, now. Whether you believe me or not, I never wanted to hurt you, then or now. I know I was wrong for that and the way I treated you on and after your birthday is inexcusable, but I've really missed you Ginny. You've been a part of my life since I was twelve years old and it's incomplete without you. Please, Ginny I need you to forgive me," he begged.
Ginny couldn't believe the words flowing from Harry's mouth. She had allowed him too many liberties with her feelings over the years, but like she'd always told Colin and Natalie, she couldn't stay angry at him. He was part of the family, a Weasley without red hair. She stared into his green eyes which were filled with regret and a hope that rested completely in her hands.
Ginny listened to him. She still felt a bit of resentment and anger towards him for everything that transpired, but another part of her reasoned that if he hadn't, she never would have found herself with Draco. The thought of her husband brought a smile to her lips. "Just for self-preservation, I shouldn't forgive you, but you're right, Harry. Seven years is too long a time to be friends to throw it away. I still have my doubts, but I'll forgive you Harry. Just don't expect me to trust you-at least not right away. I've been burned twice by you and I won't do it again."
"I understand."
"Look, I need to go to class. I refuse to have detention with McGonagall because I'm late," she smiled seeing how ridiculous Harry looked in Ron's old robes. "I can't believe Ron still had those robes."
"He didn't. Fred and George had them. You won't believe what I had to agree to do for them to let me borrow them."
Ginny laughed as she left the room deciding she didn't want to know what they had conned Harry into doing for them. As much as she loved her brothers, she knew they wouldn't let an opportunity to have Harry at their mercy slip by. Oddly enough, she wasn't sure how they came to have Ron's hideous robes, why they kept them, or what they had planned on doing with them. They had kept her out of the loop on this particular scheme, but she was sure they had an excellent story to tell.
Later that week, Ginny stepped from the emerald green flames into her former dorm room. She had agreed to revise for her Charms and Transfiguration with Colin; they had an exam later in the week. Usually, when she and Colin studied together, Draco looked after Alexander. However, due to the arrangement he made with Harry, Draco was now with his seventh year Gryffindor Auror candidates and tonight they were dueling. As much as Ginny trusted Amina to watch after Alexander in Draco's office, she didn't want her son anywhere near the DADA classroom with random spells being fired. Unfortunately, afterwards Draco had to supervise a detention. So, she brought Alexander with her for the evening hoping he'd sleep while she was studying.
The sight that met Ginny's eyes when she opened the door to the Head's common room was unexpected. Colin had Natalie pressed into the cushions of the sofa with his body covering hers. Their hands were roving over each other's bodies as they were locked in a heated kiss. The urgent moans coming from her friends brought her back to her senses and she turned to leave. Her sudden movement didn't agree with the small wizard in her arms causing Alexander to wail and preventing her from escaping unnoticed.
As she calmed the infant, Natalie and Colin jumped from the sofa looking wildly around the room. Both sighed with relief when their eyes landed on Ginny and Alexander. However, both of their faces immediately flooded with color as they realized what their friend had just caught them doing.
"I-I…um that is we didn't expect you so soon," Natalie stammered.
"That's obvious, but I was fifteen minutes late," she smirked.
"I guess we just lost track of time," Colin replied smiling sheepishly as Ginny broke out in gales of laughter.
"You don't have to explain anything to me. I'm not your mum, but just be careful you don't end up with one of these," she cautioned tickling Alexander's stomach eliciting a beautiful gurgling laugh. She missed the pale horrified looks on her best friends' faces as she settled her son on his favorite blanket on the floor with charming his stuffed dragon to fly over his head before she gathered her books to begin their revision.
Draco sat at his desk marking papers while he waited for Astoria to arrive for her detention when a knock sounded on the door.
"Enter," he called without looking up.
Astoria Greengrass slinked through the door and crossed the room stopping in front of Draco's desk. After a few minutes of being ignored, she huffed indignantly.
"I didn't realize you were in such a rush," Draco stated. "If you knew what I have in store for you, you'd not be in that much of a hurry to begin."
"Reorganizing your shelves and cataloging samples isn't that bad," she replied with a flirtatious smile.
"No, it's not, but that's not what you'll be doing," he stated staring into her eyes smirking at the flicker of uncertainty that flashed across them."
"Oh, then what do you have in mind?" she asked trying unsuccessfully to sound unaffected.
"The grindylow's need a clean tank," he began.
"Wh-what? You can't be serious!" she yelled outraged.
"Watch your tone, Miss Greengrass," he demanded. "And, I am quite serious."
"But, Professor," she spat. "You can't expect me to...to get in there with…with those things. They're dangerous!"
"I never said that."
"But, that's… that's…they're disgusting!"
"Miss Greengrass, did I say that you had to clean the tank that they were currently residing in?"
"No."
"No, I didn't. You'll need to clean another tank and then I can move the grindylows." With that Draco pointed his wand at the tank on the back table and lifted the cover draped over it.
Astoria turned to follow Draco's wand and groaned as the covering was lifted. If possible this tank was filthier than the one the grindylows were using now. She looked back at Draco then at the tank again before shaking her head in disgust.
"Place your wand on my desk, and then get started. There are cleaning supplies in the back."
Astoria reluctantly placed her wand on Draco's desk then ever so slowly made her was to the filthy tank. Once she had returned from the supply room with the necessary items for cleaning the tank she removed her robe and laid it across a nearby desk. This detention was not going how she thought it would.
When she was assigned the detention, she thought she'd be organizing shelves or cataloging something which would require her to bend or stretch overhead, or climb a ladder. With this in mind, she wore the shortest uniform skirt that she owned. It was actually a few years old, but it still fit in the waist, but the length was a completely different issue. Her father would definitely call it indecent. If she leaned over far enough, a glimpse of her knickers could be seen and her top wasn't much better. She still had on her tie, but it was loosened and the top three buttons were undone. When she turned, the shirt opened just enough to give someone a view of her bra and cleavage. Now, all of this effort would be wasted because she'd be cleaning a grubby, disgusting tank. She was just glad that she found a pair of gloves. There was no way on magical earth that she'd be touching that with her bare hands.
Draco glanced over the top of the parchment that he was marking. He had to stifle the laughter threatening to spill from his lips when Astoria took her robe off. She looked ridiculous. If she thought that this display would draw his attention, she was seriously mistaken. He shook his head and continued marking the assignments.
An hour and a half and one disgusting tank later, Astoria was finally finished. Her once perfectly coiffed hair was now hanging haphazardly around her face with a few strands clinging to her sweat covered brow. She stood and stretched her arms above her head trying to work out the overworked muscles before determinedly stalking toward her professor's desk.
"May I have my wand now?" she demanded.
"If you aren't careful, you'll find yourself cleaning the tank the grindylows are currently using tomorrow night," he warned.
Astoria sniffed indignantly and straightened her spine before staring directly into Draco's hardened glare. "May I have my wand, sir?" she asked employing all of the grace and etiquette of her social upbringing.
"Yes," he answered laying the last of his papers aside.
Astoria hurriedly rounded Draco's desk seizing her wand quickly casting cleaning and refreshing charms to herself before resetting her falling hair.
"That's much better," she said more to herself than anyone else.
"Who would have thought you were so vain?" Draco asked chuckling at her airs.
"Ha-ha, very funny, Draco…I mean professor," she quickly amended. "I still have the hardest time thinking of you as a professor," she admitted nervously.
"Sometimes, I do as well."
Astoria hopped up onto the corner of Draco's desk and without missing a beat asked."Do you think things will ever be like they were before- before the war, before HE returned?"
"No, it will never be the same for our families again. We'll have to make our own way and work twice as hard as everyone else and still have to prove our worth on a daily basis. Everything we do will be questioned, every action will be circumspect all because of our fathers," he answered spitting the last word out venomously.
Astoria nodded agreeing with Draco's statement as she crossed her legs causing her skirt to rise even higher up her thighs.
"It's not fair, you know?"
"Life is rarely fair. You should know this, or have you forgotten everything that we've been through since we were small children?" He asked knowing that being a child of a Death Eater brought certain expectations because of this discipline was given daily and often quite painfully.
"No, I haven't forgotten," she replied. "You're right, life is seldom fair," she sniggered as she leaned back on her hands pushing her upper body forward causing the buttons on her shirt to strain against the fabric. "If things in my life were fair, you wouldn't have broken our betrothal," she pouted then thought to herself- I still haven't quite figured out how you did that, but I will find out and it will be reinstated.
Draco sighed heavily. He knew the game that she was playing and he refused to be a part of it any longer. He watched as she paraded herself around the room and displayed her body to him, painfully unaware that it was having no effect whatsoever. It was time to end this he thought as he rose calmly from his seat moving directly in front of Astoria.
A slight smile was on his lips as he leaned closer to the girl. The look on her face as he inched closer confirmed his suspicions regarding her actions. She still wanted him even though he had no interest in her. He heard her breath quicken as he drew closer still. When his lips brushed the outer shell of her ear, he felt her shiver against him.
"Astoria, we've known each other for a very long time- our entire lives," he spoke softly into her ear with his breath ghosting across the sensitive flesh covering of the shell of her ear. "In all of that time," he paused licking his lips. "Have I ever given you any indication that I have any feelings for you whatsoever?" he finished with a steely edge to his voice.
"What?" Astoria gasped as she tried to make sense of what he had said to her.
Draco stepped away from the manipulating witch watching her grow angry as the meaning of his words sunk in.
"I recognize the show you've put on tonight. Your sister did the same thing to Professor Mooney in fourth year and it stops NOW!"
Astoria jumped off the desk glaring at Draco. She knew she was being obvious, but she didn't think she was being that obvious and it had always worked before. Men did not dismiss her, she dismissed them and Draco's actions set fuel to her fiery anger. She had held her tongue too long and now he was going to feel her wrath.
"I just assumed that since you had previously lowered yourself to associating with Weasley or Prewett or whatever she's calling herself that you'd welcome the opportunity to align yourself with someone better. Someone of our caliber," she sneered. "From what I've heard, you haven't been with anyone since you kicked that Weasley slag out of your bed. I can help you with that little problem. I'm sure she wasn't that great to begin with. Let me help you. Then, you'll see that we are meant to be together. I understand how our world works. I could give you your heir and he'd have the purest lineage. Imagine the possibilities."
Draco's mercury eyes darkened to a stormy gray as Astoria spoke. He clenched his jaw tightly and held back every retort that came to mind. He couldn't allow her to know that Ginny still meant something to him, or she'd figure out their secret and all kinds on trouble could come crashing down upon them without need. Their marriage was legal and their situation was upheld by the Board of Governors of Hogwarts, but he did not need this little whelp causing any more problems for his wife or causing possible harm to his son.
It took every ounce of his willpower not to throttle her when she started rambling on about providing an heir for him. He has an heir and his lineage was purer than any mongrel the demon-woman standing in front of him could ever produce no matter who she coupled with to get him. He balled his fist hindering his itching fingers from drawing his wand. His body shook with unadulterated rage as he listened to the drivel that came pouring from her mouth. At some point, he would no longer be able to hold his anger from the witch standing before him. To circumvent hexing his student, he put his hands in his pockets. He drew several ragged breath before saying anything and when Draco spoke, his voice was low and dangerously calm.
"You will never speak of Ginevra Prewett, or any relationship I may or may not have had with her ever again. My personal life is my business and I intend to keep it that way and since you are too clueless to understand what I have told you I will explain this one last time. I neverwanted to marry you. Once I found out about my father's underhanded accord with your father, I found the means to end it," he stopped. Further steeling his voice, he added, "Because I do not want to spend my life with someone as vile and treacherous as you! " He watched as she fought the tears collecting in her eyes and felt slightly vindicated. "As far as my children are concerned, they will never be your responsibility and their lineage will never be questioned, not that it matters in the least, now GET OUT!"
Astoria glared at Draco refusing to let her tears fall. She would not be dismissed by him and no matter what in the end; she would either have him or ruin him.
"You're in love with her aren't you? She's the reason you broke our betrothal," she accused.
"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about, Astoria."
"I promise you, Draco Malfoy if I find that you are still seeing her, the entire wizarding world will know that you, a Professor is involved with one of his students. I doubt you'd be able to find employment while you're waiting to acquire your family's business. Though, I'm not sure why you want to work, but you seem to enjoy the menial task. I promise you, you will regret crossing me."
Draco laughed. Of all the things he expected from her, this was the least of his worries. By following this path, her threats would only accomplish an unwanted disruption and an indeterminable amount of grief for his wife, which although unacceptable could be dealt with if necessary. His steely voice cut through the tension in the room as he continued.
"You presume to have information that could harm me in some way, which you most definitely do not. Have you forgotten?" he demanded. "I've defied my father, his ridiculous death eater cohorts, and the Dark Lord himself. I will not be threatened or controlled by the likes of you. But you, Astoria, you've put yourself in quite the precarious position. You've threatened and attempted to blackmail me, a professor which both actions alone are imminent grounds for expulsion. If you like, we can take this discussion directly to the headmaster, or," he paused for effect."You can leave this room and never approach me again with this asinine idea that I'd marry you under any circumstance."
The venom and promised laced in Draco's voice caused all of the color to drain from Astoria's face before she fled the room. The slamming of the heavy door echoed through the classroom and the now empty corridor as the young witch stormed back to her dorm room.
Draco retreated to his office. He needed a few moments to collect himself before he joined his family for the evening. After penning a letter to the headmaster and the Slytherin Head of House, he could think of nothing he wanted more than wrapping his arms around his beautiful wife and holding her close until the first rays of the morning light entered their chamber. Little did he know that it would be a while before she graced his bed again.