SUMMARY: Draco has a talk with Hermione……about love.
SETTING: H/Hr/D 5th yr / G 4th yr
This came to me one night…dunno why, just did. I dedicate this to….anyone who wants to claim the dedication.
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Why me?
That was the only thought going through Draco's head as he walked to potions, flanked by his two cronies, Crabbe and Goyle.
Draco Malfoy was a rich boy, having been raised in one of the most wealthy and upstanding wizarding families to ever grace the planet. He had always had everything he ever wanted, and demanded respect from everyone, just as his father had taught him. Okay, so his family wasn't as affectionate as some families, but what they lacked in love, they made up for in power. And now, all that power, all that respect, was useless in light of this new fact. Draco Malfoy was in love. Now, normally, when a Malfoy wanted something, he would get it by any means necessary. There was just one snag in that current plan: she was a Gryffindor.
He slunk into potions and took his normal seat in the front. This was, after all, his best subject, not to mention his head of house was the professor. He could sit anywhere in this class and still ace it, probably without paying much attention. He did like the class, but that was not the reason he woke up every morning looking forward to this period. The sole reason had just walked through the doors, flanked by two others. Harry Potter, the world's savior, entered with Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. As Snape stormed through the door, the three Gryffindors scrambled to their seats, but not fast enough for the professor's liking.
"10 points from Gryffindor for dawdling, Mr. Potter. Now if you would be so kind as to sit down, I would like to begin class." He scrawled ingredients on the board and instructed everyone to pair up and gather their materials.
"Potter, you work with Longbottom." Draco smirked. This is why he loved this class. There were so many possibilities in messing with those two in potions, they seemed endless. He was teamed with Pansy (to which he groaned inwardly) and began his potion. As usual, she did nothing, but he trudged on anyway. It was probably better that she not help; she was about as clumsy as Longbottom. As if by fate, Longbottom's cauldron exploded, and Draco looked at the clock. Record time, he thought, that only took five minutes. Snape took 20 points and ordered both boys to the Hospital Wing. Though it looked as if they would not make it on their own.
"Weasley, escort these two to the Hospital Wing. Take your things with you. I'm sure your know-it-all friend can give you your assignment after class. Miss Granger, I hope, for your sake, that you are competent enough to complete the potion on your own." Ron picked up his things and those of the other two boys and helped them out the door. Hermione gulped and looked back at her cauldron. Draco laughed to himself, but thanked Merlin. Now he could get near her without Potty and the Weasel intervening.
The rest of the class was spent with Snape taking off points from Gryffindor and adding them to his own house. Of course, with Potter gone, the Gryffindors lost less points, but it still was good to watch from the Slytherin perspective. Draco's potion was, as usual, perfect, and even Granger managed an adequate concoction. They bottled their brews and headed out the door. Draco managed to bump into Granger "accidentally" and dropped a small piece of parchment in her bag. With a small charm, he had made it look like Potter's writing, so she would not be suspicious.
The day dragged on through History of Magic and Care of Magical Creatures. Thankfully, the oaf Hagrid wasn't back from his "mission" and they had an interim professor. She was interesting enough, but this subject was not one of his favorites. Discreetly, he eyed Granger, who was discreetly eyeing Potter, who had been allowed to resume classes after lunch. Good, he thought, she's read the note.
Dinner and Quidditch practice came and went, and at last, it was time to meet with Granger in the third floor corridor. He grabbed his book bag and told Crabbe and Goyle he was headed to the library. Immediately, they sat back down, not ever wanting to step foot in there. So, he trekked in the direction of the library, but made a detour at the last moment and jogged the rest of the way. There were advantages to being a prefect, like access to otherwise somewhat off-limits areas.
When he entered, she was staring fixedly at a portrait of the founders, listening to Rowena Ravenclaw ramble on about the best students of her time. Upon hearing the door open and close, she quickly ended her conversation (which had been rather one-sided anyway) and turned. Letting out a gasp she reached out for her wand.
"Look, I'm not here to hurt you, Granger, I just wanted to talk to you about something important."
Hermione realized she had only two options: she could fight her way out, which was likely to end her up in the Hospital Wing, or she could listen. Very quietly, and so he could not hear, she muttered a spell.
"Recordo," she mumbled, and then lowered the wand, but did not pocket it. She was cautious, but not stupid. If they were going to have a little "chat," then she was going to have a record of it.
"What do you want from me, Malfoy?"
"Weren't you listening? I said I wanted to talk to you? Or are you so dense as to have forgotten it in the minute of silence?" he spat at her.
"Look, we're not going to get anywhere with us insulting each other, so let's just call a truce for tonight and have a civilized conversation."
"Whatever. Now, I want to address a very sensitive subject, and I swear by Slytherin's heir that if you repeat anything that is said before I say you may, I will make you very sorry. Do I make myself clear?" She nodded, looking unabashed. But Draco had made it a hobby to intimidate people, so he recognized the fear behind her eyes. He smirked and leaned against the wall.
"Now, Granger, what I have to say ties closely in with one of your so called friends. He may not like what I'm about to tell you, but I am going to tell you because I –" he paused. This was more difficult that he had imagined, and he had imagined it to be near the pain level of the Cruciatus. She leaned against the wall next to him and waited with her eyebrows raised.
"Go on, Malfoy."
"I need your help." Hermione lost her footing and barely caught herself from tumbling to the floor. I am so glad I got that recorded, she thought. She noticed that Malfoy had made no move to stop her fall, but that really didn't surprise her. He wiped his hand over his face, groaning in frustration. Hermione realized that it was very out of character for Drac—er, Malfoy. Whatever he needed help with was stressing him out. She simply waited for him to calm down and continue, which he did.
"The reason I need your help is that…I'm in love, at least I think so. I mean, I can't stop thinking about this girl, even though her friends hate me, and I think she does too, only I hope not, what I meant to say was that I hope she maybe might consider the possibility of perhaps going to the Yule Ball with me." Hermione stood, dumbfounded. Malfoy, the richest kid in school, the most well-brought-up of anyone, had just turned a sentence into complete mush. She replayed it over in her mind to make sure she understood him correctly. Then she realized something.
"Why do you need my help?" Then it clicked, "Oh Merlin! She's a Gryffindor, isn't she?" It was a question of loathing, or even excitement. It was merely a statement. Draco stood staring at her as if she had just said she wanted to join the Dark Lord.
"How did you--? You really are pretty smart for a Mud—uh, Muggle-born." He silently cursed himself for almost ruining his one chance for help. Calling Granger a Mudblood would most certainly send her stalking from the room and spilling his secret to anyone who would listen.
"That's what they tell me. So who is it? You said it was closely tied in with my friends. You said he wouldn't like it, so I'm assuming you mean either Harry or…" she trailed off, realization dawning on her. He smirked, glad for once that Granger was a smart one. He didn't know if he could actually say it right now. But of course, Hermione wanted to hear it from his mouth. He sighed, resigning himself to the dark recesses of Hell.
"Yes, Granger. I'm in love with Virginia Weasley."
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So, what do you think? As I said, it just came to me one night as I was drifting off to sleep, and I finally managed to finish it. Originally, it was going to be a one shot, but I may consider doing a second chapter depending on reviews. So, review away everyone!