Third Year
Care of Magical Creatures was set outside that day. The students had just returned from another summer and the chatter was unavoidable. The young teenagers excitedly exchanged stories of vacation travels and gossip.
Hermione Granger had learned one or two new glamour charms over the break to finally wrangle her hair into some semblance of order. She had a quiet summer as per usual, which meant boring and completely magic-free.
Hermione listened to everybody else's tales of gallivanting to the Bermuda Triangle, exploring Nicolas Flammel's workshop, summer romances and first kisses. The exhilarating highlight of her summer was reading Grigori Rasputin's Book on Illusive Infections and Illnesses.
Hermione was deep in conversation with the Patil twins who were the resident gossip mongers. Their stories were always full of dubious legitimacy.
"Draco Malfoy has had quite a bit of a summer," Padma whispered conspiratorially.
Her grin could only be described as wolfish and was mirrored on Parvati's face. It seems as though all her friend's had the unfortunate luck of going boy-crazy during holiday break.
Parvati continued for her sister, "He supposedly got Astoria Greengrass caught in a very compromising position at her mother's Mid-summer gala. Parkinson's fuming no doubt!"
Hermione snickered at the idea of Pansy Parkington's pug face comically red from anger at being tossed aside for Draco Malfoy's new flavour of the month.
How any self-respecting female could actually fancy Malfoy let alone fancy him enough to willingly touch him was beyond Hermione. She silently wished them a speedy recovery from the Janus Thickey Ward.
A dirty blonde head of hair wiggled its way into the conversation and could not help but give her two knuts.
"How could you possibly know if that's true? You weren't even there!" Lavender Brown scoffed skeptically. .
"Pot meet Kettle" Hermione retorted sharply.
Lavender was quite the gossip herself, with a mouth as big as an erumpent. The twins both laughed heartily at Hermione's joke.
"I don't translate Muggle, Granger." Lavender's face screwed into a grimace.
The younger girl had definitely shortened the hem of her uniform. In all Lavender's focus to perfect her glamour charms this morning she must have also forgotten to button her blouse up all the way.
"Regardless, I feel sorry for the lot of them. How any of those halfwits can stand that wanker is a mystery. They all deserve each other!" Hermione snorted.
The girls all guffawed in surprise. Hermione hardly swore, that feat was only inspired by a certain infuriating blonde Slytherin.
"That may be 'Mione, but you've got to admit Malfoy's gotten well fit over break" Padma sighed dreamily at Malfoy's direction.
Padma's dopey look was shared by her sister and Lavender. All three girls ogling Malfoy like he was an ice cold mug of Butterbeer in July. Merlin's merciful mother please help us all, Hermione rolled her eyes.
Hermione cast a cursory glance to where Draco Malfoy stood surrounded by his underlings. She could not fathom what all the hubbub was about.
Sure he'd grown taller, leaner from quidditch practice, and his platinum fringe was almost touching his eyes no longer slicked back in that pretentious coif. His bought confidence was apparent in his stance. Even underneath the school issued uniform little details screamed wealth, from his shiny dragonhide oxfords to his tailored slacks undoubtedly made from baby puffskeins or some other poor fluffy, defenseless creature.
Hermione figured that Malfoy was the poster boy of wizarding nobility. And currently his face wasn't in a nasty scowl. The Slytherin prince was examining his copy of The Monster Book of Monsters. Hermione's keen eyes followed his slim finger running down the spine of his book and the book cheekily purred.
Her housemates also purred audibly as well, watching the ferret's attentions. Hermione was inclined to thump her book on each of their heads hoping it would jerk their brains back into functioning normally.
Malfoy was undoubtedly handsome, but underneath that lush exterior Hermione still recognized the same pointy faced git that called her a mudblood.
Draco Malfoy had not instigated another altercation since that day in Second Year. It was as if he were avoiding her altogether. He probably thinks he'll catch some muggleborn disease due to close proximity, good riddance! Hermione giggled to herself.
Harry and Ron decided to finally grace Hermione with their presence and all Malfoy related discussion ceased.
Her best friends were always disheveled and rushing into class Hermione shook her head at their direction. Harry's dark hair sticking up every which way and Ron's shirt only half tucked. How they even manage to get out of bed without her prompting the world may never know.
"Before you get started mum, this one overslept" Harry approached arms raised in surrender giving Ron a good natured shove.
"It's not my fault!" Ron bellyached his mouth full of biscuit.
Crumbs flying every which direction as the red head explained.
"And I suppose stopping at the kitchens wasn't your fault either?" Harry arched his brow comically.
"You'd have me starved!" the ginger pointed at Harry accusingly, the half eaten biscuit still clutched in Ron's hand.
Hermione could not stay disgruntled at their silly banter and found herself laughing along with them.
The Golden Trio together again Draco stewed from across the grounds. The joviality of it all miffed him. His summer was positively bleak, the only relief he found were in the arms of airheaded society girls who looked at him with galleons glinting in their eyes.
Lady Narcissa Malfoy was polishing Draco for his debut into society, forcing the young boy to accompany her to luncheons and galas. As luck would have it Lucius was abroad in France for the duration of the summer on business.
No doubt Lucius' so-called 'business' happened to be buxom, blonde, and 10 years his junior. Narcissa just smiled and gracefully wished her husband a happy little trip, Draco was floored at his mother's indifference.
"Mother you must understand why he leaves!" Draco shouted in fury. He watched his beautiful mother as she held out her hand to cup his cheek.
"Men of extraordinary power are inclined to extraordinary cruelty, mon etoile" Narcissa kissed her son's cheek as she glided into her parlor without another word.
Draco bristled at the farce of matrimony and supposed love. When one is in love, one always begins by deceiving one's self, and one always ends by deceiving others. That odd squib, Oscar Wilde's quote came to Draco's mind with refreshed clarity.
Draco came back to his third year at Hogwarts rough with love and a newfound antagonism against relationships in all of its forms. And now the touching scene before him so full of mirth made him sick.
With a proverbial chip on his shoulder Draco's quest for sabotage rebounded brilliantly in today's lesson.
To Hermione it served Malfoy right when the giant grey hipogriff clobbered him. Malfoy was an exceptional arse for undermining Hagrid's lesson.
The half giant professor did not have the safest methods Hermione conceded. She also recognized the danger in having an illegal and untrained creature in a classroom environment so early in the school year.
Buckbeak was still braying at the blonde ninny who was whinging on about his arm. The creature's wings were extended in a show of dominance. The whole class was in a fright as they watched their professor try to calm down the massive irritable animal.
While the other students skirted farther away from the perilous debacle Hermione Granger strode closer to where Malfoy still lay petrified. Draco watched the girl hold her ground defiantly. Champion of the down trodden and saint to the injured Malfoy wordlessly dubbed her a few new monikers.
"Hagrid! He needs to be taken to the hospital!" Hermione's concern was palpable. She shocked herself. Hagrid realizing the severity of the situation dismissed class early and bent down to carry Malfoy off to the infirmary. Buckbeak was oblivious to his offences and continued to nosh on his feast of ferrets. How paradoxical Hermione sarcastically snickered to herself.
"Term always starts off so rosy, don't you think?" Harry commented as he walked closer to the motionless brunette.
"I say the ferret deserves it, right 'Mione?" Ron quipped trailing behind Harry.
Hermione stayed rooted to her spot still stunned at her explosive concern over Draco Malfoy's well-being. It was a dangerous situation, any right-minded, sympathetic person would have done the same thing she continued to castigate herself.
"C'mon, let's head to Divination" Hermione stated dazedly retreating back to the castle.
The two boys traded puzzled looks and followed their friend's lead.
Some time later and Hermione was still shaking herself. Hagrid found the indomitable Gryffindor in the library, she looked uncharacteristically removed from her studies. Her quill tapped incessantly on her empty parchment.
"Ello 'Mione I don't want to interrupt, but I was looking for a favor if ye don't mind," Hagrid entreated the small girl with a hopeful expression.
Hermione nearly bolted up to the ceiling, "Of course, how can I be of assistance professor?" the young girl smiled as she tried to reign in her surprise.
"I was hoping if ye could bring young Malfoy your notes from class this mornin', an before you say anythin' I wouldna ask if I didna think you one of the brightest in this 'ol castle '' Hagrid implored in his heavy accent.
Hermione worried her lower lip as she contemplated her task.
Hagrid had such a tumultuous first day she could not find it in her heart to say no. A favor for a friend Hermione sighed. She also haughtily conceded to having the most meticulous notes out of everyone in her year.
"Hagrid, it's no bother. I'll head down to the infirmary straight away." Hermione replied.
"Thanks to ye Hermione" Hagrid beamed back, turning to exit the library.
Hermione exhaled and let her smile fall, she shuffled all her paperwork together. Oh Godric give me patience Hermione sent up a silent prayer. Determinedly the little lioness set out to the infirmary to aid a snake.
Her feet knew where to go on their own accord, being chummy with The Boy Who Lived included an interminable amount of trips to Madam Pomfrey. The scent of menthol, herbs, and antiseptic signalled her nearness. As she rounded the corner she saw the kindly medi-witch in her pressed and pristine uniform not a grey hair out of place and her eyes shone kindly.
"Good evening Madam Pomfrey" Hermione greeted clutching her books to her chest.
"Oh Ms. Granger! Is it Mr. Finnigan again? I'll grab the dittany-" Madam Pomfrey gushed in one breath ready for action.
With a wave of her hand bandages flew from the healer's cabinet in the corner. An army of little glass potion jars started marching single-file from the cupboard like small soldiers.
"Not at all M'am! Professor Hagrid actually sent me down to drop off some class work for Mr. Malfoy." Hermione appeased.
Madame Pomfrey visually sagged in relief, she wordlessly charmed the brightly coloured phials back into her stockroom.
"Well thank Morgana for small miracles! Mr. Malfoy is in the last cot to your left and I must compel you to be quick, he needs rest and curfew is drawing near, my dear" the medi-witch said ushering the young girl further into the infirmary.
"Oh, I promise Madam Pomfrey I will be as brief as humanly possible" Hermione huffed rolling her eyes. Her shiny oxfords clicked with each stride.
Draco laid drowsily, faintly aware of footfall and the acute pain in his shoulder. A dislocated shoulder was Madam Pomfrey's diagnosis, the spell to pop the bone back into its socket was simple enough, but still hurt like buggering hell.
Draco kicked himself for his idiocy today. No doubt he will be hearing from his father about this. How ironic, the boy thought joylessly. His pain reduction potions must be quite strong, it was inducing hallucinations of a certain curly haired swot.
"Granger if you're here to box my ears, get in line. I'm sure Potter bagsied the first shot and I am well knackered" Malfoy slurred at his apparition.
Malfoy was truly off-colour; his usually ordered locks were unkempt and his arm bandaged in a sling. Hermione stopped at the foot of his cot, studying her classmate's injury.
Draco lifted his head and saw the illusion had not budged an inch. Her eyes were locked on his arm.
"Can I help you or are you planning to just gawk in awe?" Draco sardonically clipped.
Royally annoyed Hermione reached into her charmed knapsack for her parchment.
She was guarded against the Slytherin, repeating her promise to Hagrid in her head like a mantra was all that kept the girl from thrashing the ferret faced git.
"Don't be an arse, or I'll make sure you have a matching pair" she gestured to his other arm.
How Malfoy could possibly still be so full of it laying in a hospital cot was beyond her.
The cold promise of violence thrilled Draco. Witnessing the tame bookworm get worked up well past her limits was a sight to behold.
Kitten's got claws, how positively feral a bemused Draco grinned. The snake's amusement made Hermione's teeth click.
"Hagrid told me to lend you these" she continued angrily tossing her notes to his bedside as she held on to her civility by a thread.
Her resolve humored Draco. He hadn't traded words with the brunette spitfire ever since second year.
Hermione had toughened her skin sequentially as a result of her school yard bullies. Gone were her overly large front teeth and the fwooper's nest she called hair. Nothing muggle orthodontics and a tub of Sleeakzy's couldn't help.
"No smart barbs Granger? You of all people should be well chuffed about this" Draco egged on, a pale brow arched challengingly.
He was masochistically excited when she took his bait.
This was the most intellectual stimulation he'd had all term. Crabbe and Goyle weren't really renowned for their wits.
"I don't have to tell you how extravagantly you cocked up Malfoy, it was quite evident this morning when you were pathetically squirming in the dirt. I need those back by Friday." Hermione spit back acridly.
Her anger colored her cheeks and before Draco could comment Hermione had already turned her back to him.
He then did something he had almost forgotten he could do, Draco laughed. It was deep and resounding and genuine.
He spurred her to swear and the way her swotty mouth wrapped around the word cock so lewdly had him in ribbons. The Golden Girl with the filthy mouth Draco reflected with vicious fascination.
His laugh continued to tickle her ears even as she rounded the corridor. Hermione did not know what bothered her worse, when he glares or when he laughs. The sound was so jarring she almost faltered in her steps. She let out an audible growl of consternation and raced out of the infirmary face still aflame, fighting the itch to batter Malfoy with a bedpan.
Hermione did not have to wait long to finally able to scratch that itch.
Following a floo call from the Headmaster's Office to Malfoy Senior, the pureblood dramatics were at a boiling point. The spoiled prat actually got poor Buckbeak nearly executed!
Malfoy and his cronies were gathered by the Stone Circle the day Buckbeak was meant to be put to death. Hearing their cold, humourless laugh was sour.
Hermione's control snapped like a toy broom on a windy day and she saw red. Wand drawn she pointed it underneath Malfoy's chin.
Every cell in her body screaming at her to hex his stupid, pointy nose off or fire a bat-bogey hex from Hell. She scarcely heard the boys asking her to back down. The blood was still moving to quickly in her head. As soon as Hermione pocketed her wand, Malfoy's signature cocky smirk was back on his ferret face.
All she could remember was the smell of the freshly mowed grass and the solid contact of her fist to Draco Malfoy's upturned nose. The pureblood ponce crumpled to the ground clutching his face.
Hermione felt the shooting pain in her fist and sweet mother of Merlin did it feel great.
Author's Note: I'm just toiling away and setting up plot... don't mind me!
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