Progress
As the weeks went by things finally settled down between Malfoy and I. I guess you could even say we were on the way to becoming friends. We'd settled into a nice routine with Scorpius who was finally back to sleeping through the night. Unbelievably we'd found a way to make it work, we were organising the Christmas ball and keeping control of all the prefects all without any arguments. It really was as though Malfoy was a new person, he was still fair quiet and kept to himself in classes but when it was just us we even managed to have a good laugh. Malfoy always took Scorpius overnight and got him up in the mornings and took him to Pomfrey and then both of us would go over on our lunch break and exchange any info. Then I'd pick Scorpius up after lessons and look after him until dinner before giving him back to Malfoy just before dinner. Then any meetings or catch up we needed to have would take place after Scorpius was tucked in for the night.
"Right so I'll see you at lunch then?" Malfoy said grabbing an apple from the bowl as Scorpius smiled happily on his hip.
"Yeh of course, bye little man." I said rubbing Scorpius' little cheek. His smile really was infectious.
"I'm not little" Malfoy said smirking his irritatingly charming smirk. I couldn't help but laugh at his stupidity.
"Oh ha ha, very funny. I'll see you at lunch" I replied sarcastically rolling my eyes as I went up to my room to grab my school bag as Draco and Scorp headed off.
The only issue with this little arrangement was that, as Ginny had predicted rumours were swirling around thick and fast. I noticed the stares as I made my way to charms but it didn't bother me. I was so used to it these days that it was like water off a ducks back. Strolling down the corridors I couldn't help but smile at the strange routine I'd developed with Scorpius and Malfoy, it felt right, I finally felt like I was making a difference.
"Well well well if it's not the traitor slut" I rolled my eyes as Boots voice echoed down the corridor behind me. I'd managed to keep him quiet before but now that the rumours had started he was running with them.
"Oh what a surprise all big and brave when I'm on my own." I snapped turning around before the air left my lungs as Boot pushed me back against the wall. Pinning me by my shoulders his size easily over-powered me. I felt my breath catch in my throat as I struggled against him.
"Give us a kiss then" He growled leaning in. I panicked pushing my head as far back as possible as I continued to struggle against him.
"Get off me!" I shouted begging for someone to hear me, someone to be around to help.
"Well you slept with a deatheater you little slut so I'm clearly a step up." He added confidently before shoving his mouth against mine trying to force a kiss out of me. I turned my head to the side to get away from him panic coursing through me.
"Get the hell of me!" I growled through gritted teeth. I crumpled to the floor as Boot flew off of me as a spell hit him perfectly in the middle of his side. Not bothering to look up I took a few deep breaths trying to relax myself. My hands shaking like a leaf.
"You touch her again and you'll wish you were never bloody born." Ron's voice echoed off the walls as he and Harry stood over Terry Boot's form.
"She's the traitor slut I was just giving her the chance of something better." Boot growled causing Harry to punch him square in the nose. Boot laughed as he spat blood onto the floor.
"You've no idea what you're on about Boot. Now bugger off come near her again and I'll make sure you're wand is snapped in two faster than you can say sorry." Harry added watching as Boot shook his head still laughing as he stormed off holding his nose. Harry and Ron hurried over checking on me as I tried desperately not to cry. All of this just because I was helping. The stares and whispers I could handle but I really couldn't take another event like this.
"Mione are you ok?" Harry said his green eyes searching my brown eyes.
"Fine… I'm fine I think." I muttered feeling shocked. I couldn't really believe this had all happened.
"I knew nothing good would've come out of you helping him." Ron muttered causing both Harry and I to stare at him incredulously. After everything that had just happened that was really all he could say?
"What the hell does that mean?" I snapped standing up with Harry's supportive arm and brushing myself off.
"Well come on 'mione…"
"Ron, don't" Harry interjected as he rubbed his knuckle slightly his arm still protectively around me.
"I'm just saying it does look a little weird. Him being who he is and all." Ron added as Harry glared at him and I felt my blood begin to boil again.
"Oh great, you're just like the rest of them! You're meant to be my friend!" I snapped pulling myself away from Harry and heading down the corridor. I couldn't believe that he was agreeing with them all. I should've known he would never approve of the situation. He just didn't understand that I was finally making a difference to someone as more than just the brains of the golden trio.
"Well done mate." I heard Harry mutter to Ron from behind me who grumbled something that sounded very much like She's the one with her kncikers in a twist
I stormed off ignoring Harry's calls from behind me and heading straight for the library. I couldn't face charms after this morning. I would see Flitwick later and catch up but for now I just needed to be alone.
*****Lunch****
After spending the whole morning in the Library I reached the hospital wing a couple of minutes late having been lost in a book. Malfoy stood up the moment I entered and stepped forward.
"Where have you been all day? Is it true? Did Boot attack you?" His questions burst at me and the worry was evident in his voice. I should've known that he would know by now things never stayed quiet at Hogwarts.
"It's true. I'm fine though." Malfoy stepped closer looking furious and hugging me quickly which threw me completely off guard. Sure we'd been on good terms lately but I never expected him to care so much about this.
"This is my fault. It's because of me this is happening, I'll kill him when I see him." He growled as he stepped away from me and sat back down next to Scorpius who was looking slightly confused as he looked up between us. It was almost as if he could sense something wasn't quite right.
"Honestly, it's not your fault. I can handle it." I said sitting next to him as he tried to cool off a bit.
"It's not fair that you have to deal with this. I am sorry." He muttered chewing on a pumpkin pasty.
"Right lets forget about it. I just want to enjoy lunch. I choose to help you I don't care what anyone else thinks." I said definitively picking Scorpius up and feeling the stress leave my body.
"Whatever you say Granger and thanks by the way, for everything you do. Anyway where've you been all day I saw you weren't in lessons." Malfoy said somehow managing to both move on and stay on the same topic all at once. I ignored him for a few moments as I bounced Scorpius up and down. It was unbelievable the connection I'd made with this little guy in such a short amount of time. He had such a great personality it was hard not to be relaxed around him.
"I was in the library. I couldn't face it all today." Draco nodded as he listened to me. It was so strange feeling ok to talk to him but right now speaking to him felt so much easier than talking to anyone else. He didn't look at me like the others did, he didn't see the girl that solved everyone's problems and that always had an idea, he just saw me.
"Should've guessed. I got extra notes for you, I don't mind doing the same this afternoon if you want to take a you day?" He added casually as he pulled a small pile of notes out of his bag and handed them to me. They were so well organised and detailed it was perfect.
"Oh, this is perfect! Thank you. I might just take you up on that offer. I just need a break from all of them." Malfoy smirked and threw me an apple since I hadn't eaten anything yet. I felt an odd sense of relief knowing I would have a little break from it all. I wasn't running from them but taking a day would be good.
"I do actually have a question for you though" He added looking a little nervous all of a sudden and wasn't quite meeting my eye.
"Go on" I said, taking a very strong interest in the apple in my hand all of a sudden. I didn't want to look at him because that always made saying no a lot harder.
"Well will you… I mean you don't have to but I was just wondering, well what I mean is…" I laughed as Malfoy spluttered his way through the question. I'd never seen him look so nervous he normally had confidence flying out of his ears.
"Malfoy get to the question!" I smirked feeling an odd amount of confidence seeing him like this.
"Will you go to Hogsmead with me before the ball… To coordinate our outfits, I know after today it's bad timing but I just wanted to ask and if the rumours are too much that's fine we don't have too…" He rambled on a lot as though he was scared that if he gave me a minute to answer I wouldn't understand the question.
"Of course" I replied simply, the rumours didn't mean anything to me and I would be better prepared to make sure today was never repeated again. It would all die down eventually, things like this always did at Hogwarts.
"Only if you're sure." Malfoy added as he picked up his bag our lunch break reaching its end.
"I'm sure, don't look so nervous it'll be fine. Can I take Scorpius for the day?" I asked placing Scorp on my hip as Madame Pomfrey came out her office to collect him. Malfoy looked a little shocked but smiled nonetheless.
"Of course, I'll see you before dinner." He said happily, heading over to Pomfrey to sort it out before we made our way out of the Hospital wing. Waving to Malfoy as he made his way to defence against the dark arts we made our way to the heads common room.
"Come of gorgeous, it's me and you today." I whispered watching as Scorpius giggled still attempting to wave at Draco who had long since disappeared.
*********Dinner****
DRACO'S P.O.V
I felt like I had a new spring in my step and all of my previous swagger as I carried a smiling Scorpius into the Great Hall for dinner. He'd had a great day with Hermione and I'd made sure that Boot wouldn't be bothering either one of us again. I nodded over at Hermione who was in a deep conversation with the Weaslette. Hopefully things could finally settle down with all of these crazy rumours and something else would get everyone talking.
"Wow mate, haven't seen you smiling this much since we were kids." Blaise said as I joined him at the table. Blaise and I had been close friends all our lives but for the longest of time our father's and the whole deatheater situation held us from hanging out but since the war had ended he'd become the only friend I could really lean on. He was one of the only people that knew everything that had happened during the war and even helped me hide Scorpius for a while.
"Things are finally settling down for me Blaise." I said cutting up some chicken for Scorpius as Blaise chuckled.
"I bet they are… I heard Boots in the hospital wing, you wouldn't know anything about that would you?" He said ensuring that he kept his tone light around Scorpius. I couldn't help the slight smirk that appeared on my face. It was true I'd run into Boot just before last period and after a slight scuffle a bruised knuckle and a few curses back and forth later I had Boot begging to be forgiven. Poor sod would probably still be trembling in a week with the effects of the curses I'd left on him but he sure as hell wouldn't hurt Hermione again.
"I guess you could say I bumped into him." I muttered as Blaise shook his head smirking.
"Just be careful ok mate?" I raised an eyebrow as I looked over at him as Scorpius tossed a little bit of chicken over the table and giggled. Scolding him slightly I looked back at Blaise.
"Meaning?" I questioned when I realised that he wasn't going elaborate any further. He'd taken a great interest in helping Scorpius eat and making sure he wasn't being naughty.
"Just… she can break your heart dude and there's a lot of uh history there." I sighed as we fell into an awkward silence for a moment.
"What I uh… I didn't even mention her… just Boot." I replied sheepishly. Blaise was one of the few people who could read me like a book.
"We both know who really put that smile on your face." Blaise added smirking directly at me. God I hated it when he did that. His stupid smirk.
"Oh god you're irritating." I mumbled grabbing another chip off my plate. Blaise snorted into his drink knowing full well he'd won whatever this was.
"I know. So just be careful there's a lot that could go wrong." He added trying to keep the tone light but equally being fully serious. I knew of course he was right but I didn't want to admit that. I really couldn't handle his stupid head getting any bigger.
"Promise you won't tell anyone? I don't want to ruin it for Scorp." Blaise nodded and patted me on the back showing me he knew what I meant. That was one of the best things about him, sometimes I didn't have to explain him, he just got it.
"Oooo looks like it's time for someone to face the music." Blaise whispered smirking from behind his goblet as he watch Potter march towards us. I couldn't help but laugh at him like a naughty school kid caught for throwing ink pots again. Potter came to the opposite side of the table and glared at me his green eyes a mixture of amusement and anger all at once.
"McGonagall's office now." He growled ignoring all the stares and whispers the followed him back out of the hall. Smirking I picked Scorp up from the table and went to follow Potter.
"Wish me luck" I chuckled as I left coughing Blaise to look down into his food still smirking. I knew I was about to get ripped a new one for what I'd done to Boot. I could've erased his memory easily but I wanted him to remember this day so it would be worth McGonagall screaming at me.
*******THAT NIGHT*******
Hermione's p.o.v
"No! Argghhh… Oh my god mother it hurts so much" I jolted awake at the sound of Malfoy's screams echoing through the dormitory. After my heart stopped beating out of my chest I realised it was probably just another nightmare. I pulled on my dressing gown and hurried down the stone steps into the common room. Draco had fallen asleep on the sofa, he looked sweaty as he tossed about on the sofa his breathing heavily.
"Shhh Malfoy, you're dreaming." My voice landed on deaf ears as he continued to fidget and panic.
"Granger I'm so so sorry. It's not my fault." His voice was calmer now. Broken somehow. What could he be dreaming about that involved me? I suppose dreams could be full of random things. Maybe it had something to do with what had happened to Terry Boot today. I didn't necessarily agree with Malfoy's methods but I couldn't help being grateful to him for attempting to help. Stepping forward I shook his shoulder trying to wake him up.
"Oh god what have I done?" He said breathlessly as he shot up from the sofa.
"Shhh I'm here you were having a nightmare Malfoy." I said calmly watching as he took note of his surroundings clearly worried about what he had said. The was a few seconds of silence as Malfoy seemed to gather himself checking the little snitch shaped baby monitor on the side as he tried to process his thoughts.
"Sorry… bad dream." He grumbled a few seconds later. I fidgeted with my hands as I let him sort himself out.
"It's ok, you're ok, what were you dreaming about?" I asked tentatively unsure of what to say but a part of me desperate to know more. His grey eyes flittered about as if searching the room for answers. He looked worried.
"Nothing… just quidditch tomorrow." He muttered taking a sip of his water and running a hand through my hair. He looked so on edge I couldn't decide whether to just leave the situation and speak to him in the morning but I knew that would give him more chance to shut me off.
"It's just you mentioned your mum… and me… you know you can talk to me." I said softly putting a hand on his shoulder as he'd put his head in his hands. Clearly whatever it really was about it really had affected him. At the touch of my hand he flinched slightly and his grey eyes met mine at last and I could see so many emotions bouncing around it was hard to tell how he really felt.
"I said It was nothing Granger! For god sake I'm fine." He snapped spitefully as he stood to his feet and made his way up to his room. I sat there for a few moments listening to the dying embers of the fire crackling out. He had so many different moods it was hard to predict which one I was ever going to get and for some reason that really bothered me. I couldn't keep putting up with this walking on egg shells hoping to get the Malfoy that I liked. Shaking my head I made my way back up to bed, I'd have to face him in the morning before his stupid game.
*****The next morning****
Tiredness stung my eyes as I rolled out of bed the next day. I knew I had to meet Malfoy in the common room to take Scorpius off him before the match but I really wasn't in the mood to deal with him today. I'd promised that I would take Scorpius to watch him play, it was important to Malfoy and I wasn't about to let my anger at him stop me from doing what I'd promised.
I took my time getting dressed and taming my hair prolonging the time before I had no choice but to face him again. Finally just before ten I made my way to the common room to find Malfoy waiting on the sofa in his quidditch uniform. He glanced up when I walked in and instantly stood up as I busied myself grabbing Scorpius' bag and putting a spell on it so that it was smaller and easier to carry. Scorpius was wearing a little replica of Malfoy's uniform and I couldn't help but smile at how cute he looked even if it was slytherin colours.
"Hermione… I'm sorry about last night, I was on edge." Malfoy's words hung cautiously in the air between us.
"I really don't care about your excuses Malfoy." I snapped lifting Scorpius onto my hip and grabbing his jacket and bobble hat off of the sofa. Malfoy sighed and came in front of me so I had no choice but to look at him. His grey eyes were full of sorrow and I felt a little flutter in my heart wanting to just go back to yesterday, when I enjoyed this so much more.
"Please, I really am sorry I didn't mean to snap." He said speaking slowly as though that would make his apology more sincere.
"Look Malfoy I don't care. I'm just helping with Scorpius, I'll bring him to your stupid game if that's what you're worried about." I snapped again pushing past him and making my way to the portrait hole.
"Hermione…" Somehow the sound of him using my first name so earnestly made my blood boil more. How could he only use it when something had gone wrong? My name wasn't some bargaining chip that would instantly make me forgive him.
"You know what? I hope you lose!" I snapped childishly before clambering out of the hole and storming off towards the great hall.
*****The match*****
Slytherin 70 points up. Easy game for them. No sign of the stitch yet though.
The crowd roared and booed along with the match as little Scorpius giggled at all of their reactions. Malfoy was high above us surveying the pitch and looking for the snitch. Harry and Ginny sat next to me each deeply engrossed in the game.
"Malfoy's not even spotted it yet, that's not like him." Harry commented to Ginny who was watching the hufflepuff chasers zoom towards the goal posts at the other end of the pitch egging them on.
"He seems a bit off his game today." She muttered absentmindedly as Hufflepuff finally managed to score. I tried not to overthink their words as I pretended to focus on the game. He couldn't really be that off his game because of me could he? I didn't actually mean it when I said I wanted him to lose. No I was being silly, maybe he wasn't off his game at all, maybe he just hadn't seen anything yet.
And Malfoy begins to dive, has he spotted the snitch? I breathed a sigh of relief, he was finally making a move. I watched as he dove down still above our heads but heading down towards the slytherin goal posts. WHAM
The bludger smacked him straight in his exposed side and sent him flying off of his broom and hurtling towards the ground. He hadn't even noticed it coming. There was a collective gasp as he fell in slow motion and with a deafening thud, he hit the ground.
****End*****
Hi guys, this one is much longer as a bit of a treat for you all! I hope you liked it please read and review! More coming soon! xoxo
