A/N: so this chapter is rather troublesome to say the least. I mapped out what I wanted done and ended up taking an entirely different route, but ended with the same result. Interesting, I know!
Just don't hate me for what happens! I know I said I'm not much for angst, but... I think this chapter qualifies for such... oops
Chapter 31
One week later, October 29
Great Hall, Breakfast Time
Baby steps. That's all they were doing. Yes they had talked a great deal that night one week ago, and he was more than grateful that she was willing to give him a chance. But that didn't actually qualify that they would spend every waking moment together, which he had hoped. In fact she said it was too much too soon and broke it off, demanding she needed more space.
Now, if he were lucky, she would give him a pleasant one-word response to his attempts of conversation whenever they crossed paths. Yes, it would take quite a bit of work on his end to make things right... starting with getting her to trust herself to sit beside him in classes again.
'This blows,' he sighed craning his neck to stare up at the ceiling.
"Well, well look who finally decided to show his face!" Ron said with a wide grin and his arms folded. "The disgusting snake himself!"
Draco snapped his head forward and sneered, "And you're still a bitter tosspot" He really didn't want to deal with the Weasel's petty arguments. So he went to leave.
But Ron wasn't going to light up that easily. He stepped in Draco's way once again. "I knew this would happen too, cause there's nothing good about you! So I say good for Hermione to dump your sorry arse! And you know what the best part of it all? Seeing you act so pathetic!" He grinned with glee.
"You're one to talk about acting pathetic Weasel" Draco sneered, his lip curling and his eyes narrowed. "You're every bit a sour-puss as they come when nothing goes your way!"
"Yes, you would say something like that, but you see, you're wrong... I'm not sour about anything!" Ron smirked maliciously. "On the contrary Malfoy, it's actually fascinating watching you lose! I can see how you got such a kick out of it when you harped on to Harry and me about things. In fact, I would take a leaf out of your book, and throw myself a party, really. Or best bet, perhaps we should change the dance to... how well has Malfoy fucked up?"
Draco nodded slowly, deciding against on rising to the bait. In fact, Draco wouldn't put it passed him that Weasley would taunt Hermione in the same way. With that thought, Draco reached into his robes and pulled out a small scroll of parchment. "Read this, then say that again"
Ron's eyes twitched, but his sneering smirk remained, before he took the scrap piece of paper.
It's strange, how much more confident one could be on paper and not in person, but I promise you, I will get to that step, eventually, it's just... hard. A lot had been said that night, and I became shocked of how open you were. But I'm not writing to you to yell or demean you, I just want you know that my heart is on the mend. And soon enough I will have the strength to face you... just please be patient, and thank you for allowing me to have my space.
Remember, Prefect's meeting is tonight at eight, to discuss Wednesday's Hallowe'en dance, in the Room of Requirement.
-HG
H.G.
Ron blinked and then his mouth dropped open, before his eyes shot up to Malfoy.
Yes, it was quite the surprise when he woke up this morning, seeing a school owl perched on his window sill with a letter in its beak... and even more of a surprise when it was Hermione who had written to him. In fact, he even dawned on a similar expression to that of the Weasel showed right now!
He often thought about writing her a letter but found himself at a loss of words of what to actually say. A lot of words were said that night. Heck, he didn't recall ever going to sleep after it all. Going through each and every scenario of the past weeks...
Draco took the piece of parchment back with a grin, "You were saying, Weasel?"
"That's..." Ron began but then stopped. He figured his message would be betrayed better through his eyes.
Draco pocketed the piece of parchment and folded his arms, "See now this is where it's different between you and me I actually fought to make things right with Hermione. All the while you're off shagging that slag Brown! So don't stand here and claim to know what's best for her, when obviously you don't even care"
No longer hungry, Draco decided to just have something from the kitchens on the way to Potions.
After Potions,
In The Library
Hermione sat, hunched over revising her Charms essay, when her mind trailed off in thought to the last time she was in the library...one week ago.
**flashback**
"I don't get it," Ginny said, taking a spot at the table opposite of Hermione. "I still think you should have him grovel. Or better yet, just cut him out of your life! You did so with my brother..."
"Draco has grovelled!" Hermione sighed. She had purposefully kept what had happened that night from Ginny. "We spent most of that night awake, just talking. I mean a lot was said that night, both on his part and mine. It was just... time"
"So what, like whatever you two had, is actually worth salvaging?" Ginny said, with a frown.
"Well I'd like to see how it goes. I mean...okay so he had an ulterior motive to pursuing me... and it stings to think about it. But on the same lines, he... he didn't want to do it anymore. He tried to call it off because he was foolish and didn't want to see me get hurt! It wasn't fun for him anymore!"
"And you believed him? Sorry Hermione but I think-"
Hermione huffed, "Well actually, if it weren't for the fact that I saw the proof in McGonagall's memories, it would be without a doubt, that I would've dropped him for good!"
Ginny pressed her lips together, her eyes apologetic.
"Didn't think I would say that, now did you?" Hermione flipped through a page in her textbook and then resumed her writing. "Thought so. Now if you don't mind, I really need to finish this chapter for my Dark Arts class..."
**flash to this morning**
"This is it, Crooks," Hermione said, swallowing. "I'm... I'm going to write him a letter..."
The ginger cat just stared at his Master, his tail flicking back and forth lazily.
"I know you think I'm crazy, but... truth be told, I've been avoiding him all last week and the weekend. It's just... hard to look at him after that night, in his room..."
She placed her hand over her heart, Crookshanks watched the movement by tilting his head to the side. She gave the ginger cat a small smile and then began scribbling.
Once she had it complete to her satisfaction, Hermione stood up from her seat.
"Alright Crooks, fancy a trip to the Owlery?"
**end**
The sound of giggling broke her from her trance. Very annoying high-pitched giggling. Familiar even. Annoyed for being distracted, Hermione set her quill down, got up and poked her head around the corner to see Lavender all dewy-eyed over...
Theodore Nott?
But it wasn't the Theo she knew, no... his black hair got longer, and his eyes, a bright blue. Hermione's mouth dropped open at the slightly more appealing Slytherin. 'Did he use a Glamour Charm on himself?'
"Goodness," Lavender gushed, "Who knew Slytherins could be so... funny?"
"Just one of our hidden talents. Now come on Flower..." Theo leant forward, trying to get closer to her, "What say you? Will you do the honor of accompanying me to the Hallowe'en dance?"
Hermione saw the blonde blush, 'Is this really happening?'
"Oh! W-Well you s-see I a-am with R-Ron..."
Theo raked his hand through his dark locks and shrugged, "Obviously he hasn't asked you yet, so..."
Hermione rolled her eyes, 'Figures, the dimwit doesn't even ask his own girlfriend!'
Lavender sighed, "Well I have been waiting for him to ask..."
"But a pretty thing like you shouldn't have to wait. You see, Flower, if you were my girlfriend you wouldn't have a doubt in your mind that you would be without a partner for the dance, which just so happens to be two days away!"
The way Theo said girlfriend made Lavender blush even deeper. Hermione wanted to laugh. The girl was rather shallow and gullible, which Theo obviously knew given the way this conversation was heading. She had half-a-mind to interrupt their conversation but... another part, a bigger part decided against it. Especially when the giddy blonde nodded her head.
"Okay. Sure... I'll go to with you!"
'Looks good on him' Hermione thought, chewing on her lip trying to stop the smile from forming as she tried to picture Ron's look of great displeasure when he finds out his girlfriend ditched him for a Slytherin of all people!
It was here that Theo saw her.
"Oh... hey Granger!"
Lavender squeaked in horror turning to her housemate with a wide eyes.
"Hermione," she said with a frown, but Hermione just waved her off like it was nothing.
"Mark down Flower and I for a table,"
Hermione stared for a moment, before what he said registered in her mind. "Well actually it's a buffet-style dinner, so no assigned seating, you can sit wherever you desire"
"Oh really? Well that's easy. Pick you up at six-thirty on Wednesday?" He looked to Hermione for confirmation, "The dance starts at seven correct?"
Hermione studied the exchange, carefully. Lavender was all smiles as she stared at her hand in Theo's.
"Yes, seven on the dot in the Great Hall,"
"Excellent!" He turned back to Lavender, "Until then my lovely," he raised her hand to his lips and kissed her lightly on the knuckles. If possible, Lavender blushed even deeper than before, she could be passed off as a tomato.
"Okay..." Lavender squeaked, her eyes glossed over.
It was obvious now. The lack of hostility toward her, or the Slytherin... obviously he had done something to her.
Hermione cleared her throat, "Theodore, may I see you for a moment?"
"Sure thing, doll,"
Lavender squealed and jumped up from her seat, "Oh I just have to tell Parvati!"
And with that she was gone.
Hermione raised an eyebrow as Theo removed the Glamour Charm on his face. His hair went back to being short and his eyes transformed back to brown.
"No need to thank me Granger," Theo said cockily, pocketing his wand. "I just did you a favour"
"In what world would this have to do with helping me?" She shrugged, "I was trying to work on my essay but-"
Theo shoved his hands in his pockets, "Because, I asked her to convince Draco to ask you. Hence, 'I have to tell Parvati'."
Hermione gasped and stood back. She remembered clearly when her ex-roommate practically jumped from her seat when he said the word doll. 'What a...sneaky snake! He used a Confundus Charm on her!'
"Don't give me that look." Theo muttered with a playful roll of his eyes, "It was totally harmless! Proof being, getting you and Drake to go to the dance together! Now of course you'll still act surprised when he asks won't you?"
Hermione closed her eyes, but she only just sent him that note saying she was still felt uneasy being face to face with him...
Theo sighed, detecting her discomfort. He snapped his fingers in front of her face to gain her attention again. When she opened her eyes, Theo felt a tinge of regret, but not enough for him to deter his motivation.
"Look I'm aware you are just getting back on common ground and everything, but... it's just a dance. You said you wanted to try, right? No, he didn't tell me, I just know because I was in the Owlery when you sent the letter! Cute kitty by the way, I mean, when you look at it straight on... poor thing didn't run into a wall did it?"
Hermione's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Oh come off it, Granger! It's all innocent. Clearly you wanted to get over your fear so... why not? Besides, I know you'll just be miserable that night, and Draco as well if you're not together. Actually speaking of him, he got quite tickled when he received your letter!"
Hermione blinked and frowned, as she wasn't overly comfortable in sharing such details with Draco's acquaintance...
"See? Now Lavender is going to play her part and convince Draco to ask you!"
Hermione shook her head and folded her arms. "You called her Lavender just now...what happened to Flower?"
Theo shot her a bright toothy grin, "Because she beautiful, smells nice, and... precious"
Hermione gagged a bit, "How unbearably sappy of you! How will your fellow Slytherins react?"
Theo rolled his shoulder, "Stole it from Drake actually. He's used those words to describe you, of course there was a bit more. Like... smart, charming... strong."
Hermione stared. 'Um...what?'
Theo waved a knowing finger, "See? Which is why you should give him this chance!"
"You're just trying to worm your way out of detention!" she said with a slight sneer. She didn't want to be affected by Theodore's words or rather, Draco's words. 'Draco... talks to him about me? He... thinks I'm beautiful?'
"You wouldn't dare would you? After what I just did for you!" Theo said with a slight frown, "How disheartening..."
Truth be told, she couldn't give him detention, when she had used a Confundus Charm on McLaggen to prevent him from getting Keeper on the Gryffindor team. One would consider such actions, hypocritical.
"Besides the Weasel-King never got a taste of his own medicine, and well, you know how we Slytherins are when it comes to retaliations..." Theodore gave her a wink.
"And don't you think Draco would find it odd that Lavender would want to speak to him about me?"
"Drake has nothing against the girl, personally, so no..." Theo shrugged, "Besides I am well aware he's grown tired of listening to me. At least this way, with a fresh face, it'll give him a whole new perspective"
One hour later,
Herbology
It was bizarre. Completely, utterly bizarre.
He never once spoke to the girl. Not once. Yet there she was, waiting for him outside the greenhouse looking dazed and confused. At first he thought she was under some kind of spell, but her sickly sweet voice proved otherwise - she was every bit annoying as ever. But her words is what shocked him the most.
"If you ever cared for her, you would take her to the dance!"
Since when would going to a dance fix things? And since when did Brown even care about Hermione's well-being? As far as he's concerned she was just as rotten and devious as Weasley. With made their match work so well. His eyes trailed to Theo. Hunched over and working away on the day's task. Something weird-looking and covered in spikes.
Could he have done something to the blonde to make her act in such a way?
"I just... I hate what has happened to her. I mean first you have Ron being so... horrid to her and I know I wasn't any better. She's always striving for the best you know? And I suppose it was jealousy..."
Yes jealousy seems to always worm its way around everyone doesn't it?
"I just don't want it end up being for nothing. Hermione is strong and kind... she deserves happiness"
But it wasn't for nothing. No, he was more than patient and kind that night listening to her struggles... where she ended up being the strongest he's ever witnessed her to be! Space is what she wanted, what she needed, so who was he to deny that request?
Draco caught the death-glare from Weasley when he looked over to Brown for a second time in the past five minutes.
"Leave us alone Ron! I need to speak to Malfoy!"
"No bloody way!" Ron screeched, his eyes shooting daggers at him.
"Well tough nuts, Ron! This is important!"
"You're not going anywhere near that snake!"
"Oh yeah? Well guess what Ronald Weasley, I'm going to the dance WITH Theodore Nott and not you! So if I want to talk to Malfoy about him then I will! Now scram!"
Draco smirked fondly at the memory. Not only did Weasley's precious girlfriend dumped him but Theo obviously put her up to it. He felt a jab in his side, where he spotted Theo staring at him curiously.
"Everything alright mate?"
Draco said as though bored, "What did you do to Brown? She nearly jumped me before the start of class..."
Trying to act surprised, Theo raised an eyebrow, "Is that so? What uh, did she want?"
"Don't pretend like you don't know... you set it up!"
Theo twitched, "I have no control over what those Gryffindor bints do..."
"Nice try but she outed you" Draco sneered. His eyes darted around the room before facing his friend. "So out with it, what's the big idea? I told you, before... she wants space. Pressuring her into doing what's expected isn't going to go well! It's too soon,"
Theo scoffed, "She sent you that owl didn't she? I mean it's not like you two will be alone or anything the dance is a very social event so..."
"We're not there yet," Draco muttered, "As much as I thought we were-"
"Will you two shut up!" Snarled Pansy, "I'm trying to concentrate!"
"Aye, aye, Pugsy!" Theo said, sarcastically saluting her. He leaned over to Draco, "Trust me, it's for the best,"
Lunch
Great Hall
She couldn't stop staring at him nor could she stop Theodore's words from haunting her thoughts.
"He's used those words to describe you."
But it wasn't the only thing bothering her. His behaviour of having Lavender help him was quite obsecure, just like her apology for all the stuff she pulled. It had pleased her immensely that Lavender dumped Ron as well.
Shortly after Herbology however, Draco had approached her, where they talked about the upcoming Hallowe'en dance... or rather when he asked her to go with him.
**flashback**
Hermione left the greenhouse, waving off to Terry and Michael before someone took her by the arm and took her to the side.
"Draco..."
"I know you wanted space, but I... just... I can't..."
Hermione watched the curious glances of Seamus, Dean and Neville, but ignored them before facing Draco once again.
"Can't what?" her voice was soft and shaky.
"The dance. I don't want to see you go with someone else. That person should be me,"
Hermione closed her eyes, "Draco..."
"I know you've said that dances were never your thing..."
"No, they're not..."
"But I figure you were just with the wrong person..."
Hermione sucked in a deep breath, "I don't... know about this, really. It's just... a lot to take in,"
"I know and I have been patient..."
"Then will you understand if...I... think about it? I mean... it's two days away..."
She watched as his eyes flutter and head drop.
"Yeah...sure"
"I'm sorry," she whispered before high-tailing it away from him.
**end**
Hermione felt her chest tighten when Draco glanced her way. She tore her eyes away from him, to pay attention to the food on her plate.
'This is going to be a long day,'
Evening
Room of Requirement, Prefect Meeting
There had been only one seat left. The one next to her. He would have opted to stand but the place was so small, and how the Prefects like their little huddles, it really left him no choice. Of course Weasley was also sore from the day's events, so why not?
Hermione obviously knew of the dilemma as well, but she gave him the green light anyway, patting the spot beside her lightly. Shortly after he sat down, the air around them turned stuffy. His skin became itchy, especially on his lower back.
Going after said itch, was a mistake. He watched her shift herself away uncomfortably, in an attempt to keep a gap between their bodies, which was a challenge in itself given the couch sat two people... he barely paid any attention to the details the pompous Hufflepuff was reiterating. Not when his nose was too engulfed with her cucumbers and vanilla scent.
Her heart pounded madly when she caught Ron's ugly stare. Ernie was going on about how patrols, now that they agreed the dance last five hours. Her eyes remained fixated on the names written on the bristol board behind him:
Ginevra & Anthony - 7pm to 8pm
Daphne & Ron - 8pm to 9pm
Padma & Justin - 9pm to 10pm
Hannah & Draco - 10pm to 11pm
Hermione & Ernie - 11pm to midnight
"Any questions?" Ernie said looking around the group. Hermione did too, or rather, just Ron. Watching as he fisted his hands and sneered, but remained silent.
"Alright then have a good night and see you all then," with a spring in his step the Head Boy was out.
Next to stand was Ginny. She walked across the room to meet with Hermione. Her eyes lingered on the white-blond person beside her for a fraction before returning to her friend.
"Ready to call it a night?"
"Actually I'm subbing for Hannah's patrols tonight," Hermione said getting up from the couch.
"You know," Hannah began as she walked over to the two girls, "If it's too much of an issue I-"
"No, it's not," Hermione said quickly, dismissing the blonde with her hand, "I don't need to get anything ready, so you can go ahead. I don't mind"
At hearing the words, Draco's eyes snapped over to Daphne, the fellow Prefect on patrols for Monday evenings. It wasn't over-crossing the boundary. In fact, it was about the time he and the Head Girl would have some alone time. With that thought, Draco got up from the couch and sauntered over to his fellow house-mate.
Too busy gathering up her things, she hadn't noticed Draco standing right in front of her and nearly toppled over when her eyes fell upon him.
"Swap patrols with me," was all he said reaching for her shoulder-bag as it had fallen to the floor.
"You sure that's wise?" Daphne challenged, her eyes landing on Hermione, watching as the Weasel King carted her off by her wrist. "Don't want to over-step your boundaries now that the dust has settled with the two of you, you know! Or wait..."
Daphne surveyed Draco through her glasses for a minute, analyzing the situation, "Perhaps you want this opportunity with her so you can increase your chances of having her select you as her date for the dance?"
Draco shrugged, but said nothing. 'Actually already did that,'
"For that reason, I should decline," Daphne said in a faraway voice, "And let you suffer." She tapped a finger to her chin, "Yes I think that is exactly what I will do. No you can't swap with me. But I will talk to her about you," she took her bag from Draco's grasp and tossed him a sarcastic wave, "Have a pleasant evening, deary"
Draco rolled his eyes, at her sarcastic tone when saying the endearment. His eye slanted over to the spot where he last saw Hermione, but she was long gone. In fact, he was the only person left in the room.
He strolled out of the room grumbling under his breath. His ears caught the tail-wind of a heated discussion between Hermione and the Weasel.
"Well I don't ever recall you grovelling! That what you did with Lavender was a mistake! No, in fact you were quite happy with it! So don't stand here and belittle the situation when clearly you weren't man enough to own up to anything! It's what people do in a relationship, you see, you talk and reach an understanding. A way to move forward..." she said in her all-knowing bossy tone. "Believe me when I say this, Ronald, Draco is more the man you ever will be!"
"What bollocks! You have better chances with a Dementor! Honestly, hearing you talk like he's some great saviour of your soul or something! It's disgusting!" Ron gritted. "You just hate being wrong about someone, that's all this is."
"Well actually, unlike you Ronald," Hermione snarled back, "Draco was aware of his misdoing. He actually knew what he did was one of the worst things he could have ever done next to what you did to me! And he certainly didn't lavish me with empty promises or gifts like you would, whenever you dared to admit you were in the wrong! He was actually mature and... honest"
It really wasn't any of his business. She and Draco had spent that entire night, talking about everything and anything, trying to regain some common ground and understanding. It any, he was more open than she ever expected and even more confident in herself for giving him the second chance. But she just got so angry when he tossed her out of that room, screaming and ranting about why she felt the urge to write, 'the dirt-bag' a letter!
Ron scoffed, his pacing stopped. "Honest? Are you out of your bloody mind?! You think the whole charade of him running his mouth of his so-called repressed feelings for you was honesty?! No wait," he took a few steps closer to her to bridge the gap between them, "is he that good of a shag you'll believe anything he tells you?" He eyed her up and down with disdain, "And they say Lavender is the easy slag!"
SMACK
The sound echoed in the empty corridor like a harsh crack of a whip.
Ron's head lurched to the side, as he gingerly raised his hand to touch his cheek. Hermione felt the searing pain linger in her palm for a mere second before her anger took over.
"Go to hell, Ronald Weasley! You tossed me off like a smarmy old shoe the first chance you got!" Hermione shrieked, trying to stop herself from throwing a curse his way. "So don't-" the unpleasant lurch in her stomach distracted her thoughts, while Ron's harsh words looped on repeat in her head, weighing both her heart and body down. She placed a hand to her stomach and licked her lips. 'He's not even sorry...'
After having heard her sniffs he couldn't hold off any longer, he had to intervene to rid her of dealing with such... poison.
"And I thought you couldn't sink any lower, Weasley" sneered Draco, as he reached into his robes pulling out his wand, "Perhaps a change in appearance will do you some good,"
Draco swished his wand in the symbol for transformation, "Furorem Mustela"
Hermione inhaled sharply as she watched her ex transform right down into a dark red-haired weasel.
"That's better, isn't it?" He said walking over to the rodent, picking it up by the scuff of the neck before it could escape.
Ron the weasel squirmed like crazy and flailing its tiny limbs in attempt to maim it's captor, squealing madly. Draco just smirked, his eyes straying over to Hermione.
"Wouldn't you agree?"
"You didn't have to do that," she said dropping her gaze to the floor. She curled her arms around her middle and chewed on her lip. A tiny smile playing on her lips as the weasel released a gutteral groan. If she were honest the furry weasel look suited Ron quite well indeed.
"Perhaps, but there is only so much of his jealous bitching one can take"
The weasel released another gutteral groan, baring its sharp white teeth in response. Draco shook him with force, "Shut up!"
With new confidence Hermione walked over to join him and smirked, "This takes me back to when you were a ferret," she said reached over to smack the weasel on the nose.
"But obviously I'm much cuter," he said with a teasing smile.
When Hermione didn't say anything, Draco thought he may have over-stepped a boundary. 'Now or never...'
"Sorry, I-"
Hermione released a heavy breath, "It's fine Draco," she took Ron the Weasel from his grasp and gave the animal a tight smile.
"I know just what to do with you, Ronald,"
He gave a timid squeak, as she magicked a leash out of thin air and wrapped it around its neck before she set it down on the ground.
She combed her fingers through her hair before she faced Draco once more.
"So... how much did you end up hearing?" she said, trying her best to keep eye contact. Her heart found its way to her throat, where the pounding vibrated her skin.
Draco shook his head, "Just the end, when he ... uh, insulted you" his eyes went down to watch Ron try to bite his way through the leash.
He knew saying anything else would just make her have another reason to trust him.
"I see," Hermione hummed her response, following his gaze to the ground. Ron stopped biting at once and bared his teeth at the two of them. She had been a little disappointed that he hadn't heard her declaration about him. That was one of the things she couldn't say to his face or on a piece of parchment.
"Anyway I've thought about it..."
"There's no rush," Draco said quickly, "As you said we have two days..."
"And I also said I am willing to give you another chance, remember?"
Draco nodded slowly.
"Then it's a yes," her voice stronger now. "I'll be glad to go with you, to the dance"
Ron released another high-pitched squeal.
"Silence!" Hermione sneered, tugging on the leash with all her might, the animal flopped onto his side.
"Good night Draco... I'll... see you in class"
And she marched off, with another sharp tug, Ron reluctantly trotted along behind her.
E/N: just one more to go!
going by Google again, Mustela is latin for Weasel. I added Forurem (which is furry) as it sounded more spell like
Also, according to harry potter wiki, Confundus Charm is used for tricking a person or thing about a certain incident. The incident in this case - the dance.