Chapter 10
A few days after returning to school, and awkwardly working with Draco, Ron came up to Hermione with an angry look on his face. "You went to the Malfoy's?" He practically shouted to her in the common room. Tabitha groaned as she stood up and faced him.
"Technically," She told him with a glare. "I went over multiple times, just about every day the week after Christmas."
"They are Death Eaters." Ron snarled. "You could have been killed."
"No, Mister Malfoy is a Death Eater, and yes, Narcissa does believe that I'm only worth something now that I'm a pureblood, and Draco and I had a fight about that New Years Eve, but I'm safe with the Malfoys. They won't do anything to me as long as I'm part of the Notts."
"That's what you think." Ron snarled. "We both know that You – Know – Who will kill you the first chance he gets, or use you against Harry." Tabitha rolled her eyes and laughed.
"And here I thought Harry was paranoid for thinking Draco is a Death Eater, but you are being ridiculous. I got lost going to the restroom my first day there and, after I was gone for like twenty minutes, Draco had come looking for me. They're not going to hurt me."
"That's what you think." Ron said. "They are all evil, every single one of them." With that he walked away leaving a groaning Tabitha in his wake.
"I can't believe he's listened to fucking Ron," Tabitha ranted to Ginny as they made their way to the study group. "He fucked up his little relationship with Slughorn, and don't get me started on how he keeps listening to the 'Half-Blood Prince.' He's a fucking idiot."
"Beyond," Ginny agreed. "I mean, I've used a cursed book and he won't even listen to me."
"He's going to get himself in so much trouble," Tabitha said as they joined the table where Theo, Daphne, Luna, Blaise, and Goyle. "Where's Crabbe?" The four Slytherins looked at each other.
"He's with Drake." Daphne said. "Special project, now how was your New Years?" Ginny looked at Tabitha who groaned.
"The New Years wasn't bad, it's Ron's reaction to finding out that I went over to the Malfoy's that was horrible."
"What do you mean?" Theo asked. Tabitha sighed before telling her brother and his girlfriend the conversation she had with Ron the day before. "I can't believe that Weasel, thinking we'd let anything happen to you."
"Don't fret it, I'm not, he's an ass, so is Harry, let's just focus on homework, Goyle which class do you want to focus on today?" Theo looked at Ginny in confusion who just shook her head.
"How did dinner at the Malfoy's go?" Daphne asked. "I know Misses Malfoy can be a lot." Tabitha flinched. "What happened?"
"She basically told me I'm only worth anything now that I'm a pureblood, I knew her apology on Christmas was forced."
"Oh no," Theo said. "She's sorry, sorry she made a pureblood hurt in anyway, but she's a firm believer in pureblood's are better than muggleborns." Once again Tabitha flinched. "What's wrong?"
"Draco and I had a fight New Years Eve, because of how his mother was acting, he even said that you agree with her, that you hate muggles."
"Well, it's not that I hate muggles…" Theo trailed off at Tabitha and Ginny's glare. "Never mind, I'm going back to keeping my mouth shut."
"Smart choice." Tabitha snapped.
"Come on Tabitha," Daphne said. "You can't be mad for how we're raised, that seems illogical."
"Oh yes I can," Tabitha said getting up and putting her books back in her bag. "I was raised by muggles remember, really nice muggles who did nothing but encourage me once it was known that I had magic. I think all of you are missing out if you can't accept how awesome muggles are." With that she stormed out of the library.
"So she's not helping me with my homework?" Goyle asked, earning a groan from everyone at the table.
A few weeks passed with Hermione barely talking to her Slytherin friends, she barely even made conversation with Draco during their project. "What is your problem?" He finally asked one day mid January.
"You, you Slytherins." Tabitha responded. "You all think you're better than everyone because you're purebloods, and 'it's because of how we were raised' is not a good excuse. You need to grow up." Draco blinked for a second, then rolled his eyes.
"You grow up, you're no longer a muggleborn, in fact you are now one of the most well-done pureblood families ever, in fact the Notts are only just after the Malfoys. Both families have been around for more generations than most, even the Weasleys. Tell me, Miss Judgy, aren't your muggle aristocratic families dripped in tradition? Your muggle royal family? Don't tell me they don't have their own traditions that dictate what they do."
"Yes, but they are aristocrats, normal families aren't like that." Tabitha argued.
"Well, pure-bloods are the closest to aristocrats in the wizarding world as one can get." Draco explained. "I'm surprised your own family didn't explain this to you."
"I guess they didn't think it was important enough to do so." Tabitha shrugged. "I mean, why should it be?"
"Because, like every aristocrat regardless of where, you now have an image to uphold. Now, let's return to work and you apologize to your brother when we return to class." Tabitha just nodded as she returned to her work. Right before the class period ended, Tabitha and Draco returned to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, arriving just as the bell rang. "Theo," Tabitha said as he made his way through the door into the hallway. "I'm sorry, it appears this is a subject the two of us are going to clash on for a bit."
"It's okay," Theo said hugging his sister. "I'll try to be respectful when it comes to your…feelings on muggles, as long as you promise to be respectful when it comes to mine."
"Deal," Tabitha agreed as they headed to their next class. "Look at us, our first sibling argument, Ginny's going to be so proud." Theo just laughed in response.
On the day of the apparition practice Tabitha went with Harry, happy that Ron went with Lavender. She smiled when she saw Theo and Daphne a few feet away in the Great Hall and groaned when she saw Harry focusing on Draco. "Harry," She started as he walked away from her as the Great Hall got busy. "Where are you going?" She groaned and made her way to her brother. "He's going to spy on Malfoy again." Theo rolled his eyes.
"What is up with his obsession with Drake?"
"I have no idea, but it's annoying. Especially since I'm trying to get along with him you know?"
"I'm just happy that you two are at least trying." Theo smiled, before they returned their attention to the Ministry official in charge of the class. Both Tabitha and Daphne let out gasps when Susan got Splinched. "I don't know if I can do this." Daphne groaned.
"Sure you can, just remember the 'Three D's' so you don't end up like Susan." Tabitha encouraged her friend. "I'm sure it gets easier with practice."
"I sure hope so." Daphne grimaced as she tried again. The trio finished the class and left the Great Hall. "What are you doing Valentine's Day?" She asked Tabitha before they separated to their opposite houses.
"Probably nothing major, there's no Hogsmeade Trip and I don't have a boyfriend."
"Thankfully." Theo muttered earning smacks on his arms from Daphne and Tabitha. "Devil women."
"I was thinking of having a group get together in the Room of Requirement, if you want to come." Daphne said.
"Erm…sure, I don't see why not. Just tell me what time and I'll be there." Tabitha accepted.
"Awesome, and remember, wear something cute and festive." Daphne then said her goodbyes, followed by Theo, and they walked towards the Slytherin common room while Hermione went to her own shaking her head.
Over the next couple of weeks Tabitha debated going to the Valentine's Day get together. "Daphne's up to something." She told Ginny one night. "I can just tell."
"Of course she's up to something," Ginny responded. "She's a Slytherin. It's probably a blind date set up like a group outing to make you both feel more comfortable"
"Are you coming to the next study group?" Tabitha asked her friend.
"Oh, I can't, Harry has us practicing all week." Tabitha rolled her eyes.
"And this is why his grades are so bad, he's more concerned with a stupid cup than his own grades." Ginny just laughed. The next day as Tabitha made her way through the common room she overheard Harry complaining to Ron that Draco was not up to anything out of the ordinary. She made a confused look but didn't say anything as she continued on her way and continued to the library. Once there she saw Draco sitting by himself jotting down notes from a book. "Draco." She said walking up to him. "Can I sit for a minute?"
"Sure," Draco quickly closed his books as Tabitha sat across form him. "What's up? You don't often want to talk outside of class."
"Well, I overheard Harry talking about how he's been spying on you. Now I doubt you are actually doing anything, but still be careful."
"Don't worry Tabitha, I'll be careful. You know how stupid Harry can be."
"True, okay, stay safe I'll talk to you later." With that Tabitha stood up and started to leave the table.
"Hey, are you going to Daph's Valentine's Day get together?" Draco asked her, Tabitha turned and gave him a quizzical look.
"Yes, are you?"
"I haven't decided," He admitted. "She invited me, but I still have that project that I'm working on you know?"
"What is that project?" Tabitha asked and he just gave a small smile. "Okay, well see you later." With that she left the library.
After classes on Valentine's Day Luna greeted Tabitha in front of the Room of Requirement. Tabitha is a mini white dress with black over lapping hearts over a sheer long sleeve black shirt and tights, Luna wore a yellow strapless tea length dress with a white turtleneck underneath. "I wonder what the plan for tonight is." Tabitha wondered as she thought about where Daphne instructed her and Luna to imagine. A door suddenly appeared before the two girls and they entered it hesitantly, finding Daphne, wearing a skintight black slip dress, Theo, Draco, and Blaise. Daphne and Theo sat on a love seat together while Draco and Blaise each sat at one each. "Good, you came." Daphne said as she got up and walked Tabitha and Luna to the couches. "Tabitha you sit with Drake, Luna, you sit with Blaise. Now you four chat, and in about an hour food will arrive." She practically shoved Tabitha and Luna on to the couches before returning to Theo. "So, you decided to come after all?" Tabitha asked Draco hesitantly, the last time they were this close was New Years Eve at Malfoy Manor.
"More like I was practically dragged." Draco admitted. "I was going to work on my project when Theo and Blaise cornered me and told me if I didn't come, they wouldn't help with my project with me."
"Am I ever going to find out what this project is?" Tabitha asked.
"Nope," Draco answered with a smirk. "A, it's none of your business. B, I know how much not knowing bugs you, and maybe I enjoy you trying to get it out of me." Tabitha blushed a bit as Draco leaned closer and whispered in her ear. "Just like I enjoyed having you pinned against the wall on New Year's Eve." Tabitha sucked in a breath and tried to look around the room instead of the steel grey eyes boring into hers. "When did Daph say the food was coming?" She looked to ask Daphne only to find that couch surrounded in walls. "Erm…" Draco looked behind him.
"You didn't know? Those two can't keep their hands off themselves if given a chance. That's part of the reason the date is here instead of the Astronomy tower or something, the Room automatically gives them the privacy they need the moment they needed it."
"Date?" Tabitha all but squeaked, gaining a blush on Draco's hollow cheeks.
"You didn't realize, this is sort of a group date. Her and Theo think we'd make a cute couple, just like Blaise and Ginny, so Daphne put this plan together to sort of prove it."
"Do you agree with them?" Tabitha asked hesitantly, her eyes watching her hands awkwardly fidget. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Draco take a deep breath, then felt two hands on her cheeks. She turned to look at him as he pressed his lips to her. Tabitha gasped in shock only for him to deepen the kiss, which Tabitha quickly joined him in. After a few moments Draco broke away. "I have liked you since the day you punched me in third year, I just haven't had the courage, or the ability, to tell you until this year."
"Why not?" Tabitha asked placing a hand on his cheek.
"My father would have killed you if he'd known I liked you." Draco admitted sheepishly. "You know his stance on Muggleborns, he obviously couldn't kill me, he needs an heir, so he would have killed you instead and made me suffer."
"Then I guess it's a good thing I'm a pureblood now." With that she kissed him again, which he quickly deepened and gently laid her back onto the couch.
"I have been wanting to do this for so long." Draco groaned as he moved to her neck earning a gasp.
"We should stop," Tabitha said. "I respect that the Room will create privacy for us, but you only just now confessed." Draco groaned as he pulled away from her, a smirk on his face.
"Remember to get the spell from Daphne that covers hickies." Tabitha gasped as she sat up a bit, a mirror appearing before her.
"You bastard." She told him.
"Hey, my parents were married when I was born." Draco protested. "Be happy it's just one, I told you I've wanted to kiss you for years now." Tabitha smiled and gave him a peck.
"And you will kiss me again, but when the time is right, and after I figure out what to do with the boys." Draco groaned.
"Do you have to tell them?"
"They are my best friends, well, Harry is, Ron still isn't talking to me."
"And you're sure you can't kiss me until then?" He asked, giving her a sad look. Tabitha rolled her eyes, taking a quick glance behind her only to see a wall, then pulled Draco into another heated kiss.