A/N: Okay, now I'm running a low fever but don't worry, I'm still typing!
That's why I feel a bit hurt that the reviews are still not coming in as
I'd expected. I am starting to doubt if this story is worth continuing
(reader thinks to himself: The rantings of a disgruntled fanfiction writer,
tsk,tsk..) But why can't you just review this?? Huh, huh? If you're reading
it 'till now then why aren't you still dropping by to say 'hello' or
whatever it is you tell disgruntled writers like me?? Huh, huh?? Jes
kidding! Anyway, thanks a lot those who did reviewed, namely: firey fairy,
Mage Of Fire, Frooty Tang, Geri*~, Rebecca, Vanillastar, Akuma Angel, Mirei
Nochi-beautiful spirit, Victoria, Taralei, marina, MushedP0tat0es and Lil.
I really appreciate it!!! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: All of this belongs to J.K. Rowling except for the plot, which is mine!!
Chapter 12 - Arrangements for the Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests
After the Quidditch match incident, everything speeded forward. Many significant changes in Hogwarts took place. One of which is Fleur Delacour's arrival (much to Ron's delight) to take her place as substitute teacher for Care of Magical Creatures as Hagrid had just had himself attacked by his pet Griffin which according to him was lent by an anonymous friend (Harry, Ron and Hermione agrees that they'd heard that excuse). The Griffin, which Hagrid fondly calls Gimeree, was already the size of a small horse but with the head of an eagle and the body of a full grown lion when Professor Lupin found it. He had held his suspicions about Hagrid keeping a creature (a monster to be exact) in his hut when the latter kept coming late to his classes filled with scars and tears of surprisingly enormous sizes. And although Hagrid's cuts were already healed, Professor Dumbledore advised him to drop teaching for a while to get himself time to take care and humorously, play with Gimeree (He made Hagrid keep it for the meantime at the Forbidden Forest, provided that he won't let anyone get near it.) Hagrid gladly agreed to this remarking that he and Gimeree had developed some sort of strong parental bonding and promised that he'd get back to his post as soon as Gimeree is strong enough to wander back to his habitat alone. Personally, Hermione wished it would be soon because Fleur had been acting like a male magnet lately. Almost every boy she knew kept goggling at her like a hawk during their Care of Magical Creatures class. And the fact that Fleur refuses to wear the regular black school cloaks reserved for the Professors but kept strictly to her skin-hugging cloaks did not help either.
"I hope it starts to snow soon." Hermione told Harry one cold afternoon while Fleur was busily engaging Professor Lupin in a chat.
"Why is that?" Harry asked as the cat-like creature he was petting purred.
"So she could start showing up in our classes all wrapped up, for a change."
"Oh." was all Harry could say. He spotted Ron at the front row, still looking at Fleur with a dreamy gaze. He can't help but smile at him who was easily the most entranced student of Fleur.
"I don't think they should let someone like her-I mean, a half and half like her teach our classes. It's really dangerous and not too smart a decision." Hermione was saying as Fleur finally entered the room. She was tugging a very hesitant-looking Lupin at her side.
"C'mon Hermione, look at Lupin. He's a werewolf but he's the best Defense Against Dark Arts teacher there is. And besides, Fleur is quite good in dealing with magical creatures as her grandmother was a veela herself. You just don't like her because she's attracting too much attention." as Harry said this, a loud crash made them crane their necks.
"Oops! S-Sorry P-Professor Fleur.the chair's a little old..." Ron muttered hastily, standing up from the heap of broken wood.
"Oh. 'appens al ze time." Fleur reassured him (Hermione tutted loudly at this). Fleur raised her arms at them in a flimsy manner to get their attention.
"Clazz, today we are taking up Kneazles and Proffezzor Lupin iz 'ere to 'elp us demonstrate ze unique abilities of zees adorable creatures." she told them beaming.
"Oh, so these are Kneazles." Harry muttered, observing the creature at his lap. It looked so much like a cat with spotted fur and very large ears. But unlike a common cat, it has the tail of a lion.
"Some of you might 'lready be familiar with zem as zey make exzellent wizard pets. Zey are usually independent and 'ould like to be left alone but eef a witch or wizard gains its trust, zey can be very loyal and dependable. But above all zis traits, a Kneazle iz best known for its uncanny ability to detect suspicious charactairs. So what do you think class, brilliant, aren't zey? (the class nodded politely.)
Fleur smiled sweetly at Lupin who looked very uncomfortable.
"Psst! Ron, over here." Harry called and Ron snapped out of his trance and turned hastily to sit beside Harry, looking confused and irritated.
"What about, Harry? Fleur's discussing some really good stuff out there.." "Oh, I'm sure she is, Ron. Look at her grip at Lupin's robes, as if Lupin would pass out cold right after he touches that Kneazle!" Hermione pointed out.
Observing the scene at the front, they realized that Hermione was quite right. While Lupin was taking out a very harmless-looking Kneazle from its cage, Fleur was clutching at his robes tightly cooing in a hushed voice 'Pleez be careful, Remus. It might get you!' all the time. It was a sickening sight. Hermione was glad that the snoozing Kneazle finally lifted its eyes to Lupin to survey him with a suspicious look, otherwise she would have died of boredom.
"See Fleur, there's nothing too alarming about a Kneazle. Once it trusts you, it is quite harmless." Lupin said handing the Kneazle over to Fleur. But right after the Kneazle caught sight of Fleur, it started spitting out hysterically and flashed its sharp teeth at her.
"I think it doesn't like moi very much, Remus." Fleur said uncertainly.
"Oh, that's because you're a veela." Hermione suddenly said out loud.
Everyone whirred around to stare at her shocked. She hadn't meant to burst it out like that but the sight of Fleur making flirty passes at Lupin, or at anyone for the matter, was very annoying. From the other side of the room, Draco Malfoy sniggered heartily. This was shortly followed by the other Slytherin kids.
"Hermione!" Ron hissed at her, looking scandalized.
"I meant half-veela, half-human. I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything with that." Hermione started, looking curtly at Fleur who didn't look one bit ashamed. Hermione thought she looked somewhat-proud.
"Oh, zat's okay. You're just voicing out your thoughts. An' don't worry, you're not ze first to guess correctly." Fleur said, now positively beaming. But before she could return to her teaching, Draco spoke,
"But I can see that the Kneazles aren't all that keen in detecting filthy persons as it wasn't able to."
"Spot that I'm a werewolf." Lupin finished for him. All heads tuned to him, including Harry's who was quite worried this snide remark would upset him. But he just shrugged at the sudden attention although Harry noticed that he was quite pale.
"Okay, everyone try to get a Kneazle for yourself. But eef it bares iz teeth at you, stay away from it immediately, understood?" Fleur instructed plainly to them after a moment of silence. She then turned back again to Lupin and Hermione heard her ask,
"Are you really?"
"Yes. Sorry, I didn't warn you earlier. You might have noticed that I'm not too keen on it. But all the same, OI should have told you."
"Oh, no, don't be sorry! I am just amazed that I met another one 'ere. You zee, we also 'ave a long line of werewolves somewhere in ze family and I find nothing quaint in them at all. Personally, I think you're one of ze more beautiful creatures...."
Hermione glimpsed a flabbergasted look at Lupin's face. But before she could listen further to their conversation, Draco appeared at her side. He was clutching an over-excited Kneazle at his arms which kept licking his face when he wasn't holding it down well. Beyond him, Hermione could make out Crabbe and Goyle struggling to get away from a very ill-tempered Kneazle which was waving a threatening paw and claw at them.
"Nice one, Hermione, I have always thought she was one of those beasts...." Draco told her.
"I didn't do it on purpose, Draco." They were back on speaking terms again after Draco had solemnly promised not to do anything similar to the thing he did to her on the hospital wing again-ever.
"Still-it was a brilliant remark." she heard him say when Harry suddenly popped out of nowhere. Hermione was starting to think that Harry was making it his business to interrupt any conversation she was having with Draco.
"Err-Hermione, I think it likes you better..." Harry mumbled as the Kneazle he was holding suddenly leapt at Hermione. It purred comfortably at her arms and swished its lion tail lazily.
"Oh." Hermione heard Draco utter behind her but when she turned around to see what he was 'oh-ing' about, a high-pitched scream answered her. The Kneazle that Draco was holding previously now had its sharp claws sunk in Fleur's lilac, silk robes. It was looking mad with desire to rip the cloth, and apparently Fleur's skin apart. Fleur tried to pull it away, but in vain. So she climbed on top of the table instead. Confusion started to stir when Lupin tried to tag Fleur down. The Kneazle was still clutching her cloak firmly, and her screaming wasn't doing any good.
"Miss Fleur, would you please calm down and let me take it of you."
"Aggh! Let gooo of moi!!!"
Lupin reached out for the Kneazle at Fleur's cloak and started coaxing it mildly.
"Shhh, girl, come here now. Yes, jump to me slowly now.good girl!" Lupin exclaimed as the Kneazle finally went to him and allowed him to be heaved back to its cage. The class was still applauding appreciatively when Fleur, her eyes brimming with tears, sprang at Lupin and hugged him around the neck. It was indeed, the most unfortunate time for the door to swing open and reveal a very sinister-looking Severus Snape. Fleur had just started raining Lupin with kisses on both cheeks.
Snape's gaze lingered to the still semi-shocked class, to the hissing Kneazles at his feet, then finally to Professor Lupin who was still carrying a flustered Fleur Delacour in his arms. Lupin found his tongue first and, placing Fleur gently down, he spoke,
"Severus, what a pleasant surprise."
"What a pleasant surprise indeed." Snape replied, a nasty grin forming in his sallow face.
"What can we do for you, Profezzor Snape?" Fleur asked curtly at Lupin's side.
"The headmaster wants the students at the Great Hall in ten minutes. He has some important things to discuss-if we're not too busy, of course." Snape added coldly as the Slytherins found humor once more in the situation.
"We are corning, Professor. Now, if you will excuse us, we have some cleaning to do." Lupin told him.
"Whatever you say so, Remus." Snape finally said before leaving. Whether the scene was proceeded by another set of flirty passes by Fleur or not, they had not time to guess as they were all too eager to enter the Great Hall.
"What could it be about this time?" Ron asked curiously.
"Of course, it's about the N.E.W.T.s, silly. It's the fourth month, remember?" Hermione snapped.
"Oh." Ron muttered, a dark look setting in his face. But before he could argue about it all over again, Professor Dumbledore's figure suddenly appeared from behind a secret door. He cleared his throat and screened the small crowd with a penetrating gaze. Then after the shuffling of feet died down, he started speaking,
"I summoned you here this afternoon because of some important matters that are going to take place in the next couple of weeks. And since I prefer to let you know the bad news first before the good ones, without further ado, I give you these announcements: First, the N.E.W.T.exams are scheduled two days before the Christmas celebration. All seventh years are required to take it but alight some unfortunate circumstances regarding the Dark Lord's return, as we should all learn to accept, the exams are going to be a lot tougher than it has been traditionally (at this Dumbledore smirked a little and a few students laughed). And it will not be done the usual way either. Instead of parchments and practical exams, we are establishing an impartial selector much like the Goblet of Fire but of smarter and more independent nature. Those who will be chosen shall be announced on the Christmas feast. Therefore, everyone is invited to stay over for the holidays to bid their farewell to the students who will be leaving us for their own noble purpose in the League. That's all to it. You may all return to your classes and hope that something gets in your thick heads. The last few lessons you will be taking might just prove to be very crucial in the coming exams so listen well and eat ample amounts treacle tarts and cockroach clusters."
With this, Professor Dumbledore slid away from the crowd of chattering students. But even after he was out of sight, everyone stayed rooted to their spots.
"What kind of questions do you reckon the impartial selector will ask?" a curly-haired Hufflepuff girl asked.
"Perhaps it will ask you to demonstrate how the three unforgivable curses are worked out."
"No, it can't do that!"
Ron turned to Hermione, the same sick look still plastered on his face.
"So, we're all supposed to take it after all."
Hermione nodded. Harry looked away. He thinks he has a clue on what Ron was feeling rat that moment. They were both positively sure that Hermione would pass the tests. And a sinking feeling inside told him that they would be losing a very good friend sooner than they'd expected.
"Oh, don't worry, Ron, I'd still write to both of you!" Hermione whimpered at them after figuring out their silence.
"Hey, you still haven't passed the test, y'know. Let's just keep our fingers crossed." Ron told her forcing a smile.
The night before the day of the exams, Draco and Hermione were still inside the hole doing some late work. Hermione had decided to continue studying with him even after the agreed three weeks. She figured that it would be less lonesome if she had company. And besides, Draco proved to be very good in spells himself and with his help, the two of them were able to take up loads of stuff they never knew before (including a handful of dark curses Draco looked up on).
"Locomotor Mortis!" Draco said almost lazily.
Hermione stood rooted to her spot with both legs joined tightly at her ankles.
"Draco, stop doing that! You already mastered that hex since first year." she scolded, undoing the curse with a swish of her wand.
"Well, excuse me, but you'd been walking to and fro for the last hour like some nut. You're getting on my nerves. Just calm down, will you?"
"How can you say that when the exams are tomorrow and there's still so much to learn!" Hermione squeaked, panic glistening once more in her eyes.
"Hermione, there isn't anything we could have possibly missed. Why won't you just give up and take some rest?"
Hermione sat at the crafted chair facing Draco and sighed.
"Ask me, Draco."
"Not again, Granger."
"C'mon, just ask me anything." she insisted.
"Fine. What is a Lethifold and where can you find its mouth?" Draco asked acidly.
"A Lethifold is a creature that looks like a cloak and devours sleeping wizards by enveloping them with its sheet-like body. And it has no mouth."
"What else can you do when attacked by a Pogrebin besides the Stupefying charm and hexes?"
"What? You said all the possible defense there is. I'm quite sure I didn't miss out any."
"Sure you did, Granger. You just missed out kicking. It's also an effective means of defense." Draco reasoned out, his eyes alight with malice. "Finally, something you didn't get right. Are you happy now?"
"Very funny, Malfoy."
"It says so in this book, if you just read careful enough, Granger. And you're supposed to know everything." Draco taunted playfully at Hermione.
Hermione just sighed heavily and crouched her legs up in the chair. She was dead tired and her mind was already so full of things, she just couldn't take in any more reading. So, she just sat there comfortably, waiting for her anxiety to drift away. Then, while staring at her ankle, she remembered something.
"Umm.Draco?"
"What?"
"Where did you learn how to cure ankles?" Hermione asked as nonchalantly as possible. Draco narrowed his eyes at her. For a while, Hermione thought he wouldn't answer but he did anyway.
"My father taught me how to cure bones during my fourth year. I told you before, that it came in handy, and it did. He knew that I would be using it an awful lot."
"To whom did you have to use it?"
"On me." Came Draco's answer.
Hermione darted her gaze at him and felt greatly sorry for having asked the question. She noticed however, that Draco was looking quite as pleasant as before, if not, he looked more relaxed.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked." Hermione was saying but when Draco stopped her,
"It's okay." He was peering at Hermione as if waiting for her to spill out the rest of her questions. Hesitantly, Hermione started again,
"Why do you get broken bones?"
This time, Hermione was afraid she pushed Draco too far so she decided to drop the question.
"You don't have to answer that." she quickly took back. She was surprised to hear Draco laugh, thought it was a hollow, steely laugh.
"Really, Granger, it's so obvious that you were dying to know. Don't worry, I think I can trust you with the Malfoy family secrets anyway."
Draco paused for a moment, and stared at Hermione. He didn't know why he wanted to tell her about it and he perfectly knew that he shouldn't. But she was Hermione and he had always considered her quite apart from anybody else, or so he thought. Deep down Draco knew that he just needed to let her know him-entirely and not through a looking glass.
"Hermione, I needed to master the healing charm for myself mostly so that I wouldn't find myself cowering helplessly at night after my short duels with Lucius." After he had mentioned Lucius's name, he saw Herrnione's eyes flash with concern.
"Oh, he does it for me though. He says no great wizard woke up as they are. They faced pain and slept with it without complain. So pain is what he gives me. That's just how my father expresses his dreams for me." Draco finished bitterly. He had never thought about his encounters with his father as any sort of educational duel the way he had told Hermione. But he thought it would make him sound like an abused child if he told her that Lucius beats him out of sheer sadistic urges. Nor would it sound right if he had told her that he was simply hit because of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. After all, he was given everything he could possibly want. But in exchange for that, he had to endure his father's vicious temper and bid his will. Three months ago, he would have considered these tasks to be very simple. Just follow and don't ask-what could be easier than that? But after he'd realized that there was something nice and good he wanted for himself, but not something his father would want for him, he couldn't help but view his situation with bitterness.
"Draco, you can learn without having to feel pain. You're very brilliant and quick. You shouldn't let him hurt you." Hermione said, disturbing his thoughts.
Draco was astonished to hear such praise. It was definitely something his father had never given thought of. But Hermione had.
"I think you're er-brilliant too, Hermione. That's why you shouldn't think anymore of the N.E.W.T.s. You're going to pass it. All you need is rest." he told her, changing the topic.
"You think so?" Hermione asked, knitting her eyebrows. She didn't pursue the topic about Lucius anymore.
"I know so. Let's just get the hell out of here and have some sleep. It's pretty late." he said, turning towards the hole.
"By the way, Draco, thank you."
"For what?" he asked, startled.
Hermione looked at him warmly and elaborated,
"For staying with me all the time. I couldn't have gotten through all this without your company. And also-for trusting me with your story."
Draco couldn't believe Hermione was the one thanking him. He looked at her disbelieving but she just beamed at him in return. Then feeling his cheeks warm up with humiliation, he turned his back at her and murmured 'Fine'. But it was the most grateful 'fine' he had ever said to anyone.
They sneaked out of the library for the last time and Draco fought the urge to walk Hermione back to her common room. He understood that after this, everything would return to normal. Their brief alliance has come to an end and the sooner he got used to it, the sooner he could move on.
"Goodnight." Hermione muttered to Draco who already had his back at her. Draco didn't answer back. Hermione watched him disappear at the corridor to her left and couldn't help but feel giddy. Why had Draco suddenly turned the cold shoulder on? She thought she knew the answer to this but was too tired to ponder on it. So she slipped back towards the tower alone and focused her thoughts on looking forward for a good night's rest.
Disclaimer: All of this belongs to J.K. Rowling except for the plot, which is mine!!
Chapter 12 - Arrangements for the Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests
After the Quidditch match incident, everything speeded forward. Many significant changes in Hogwarts took place. One of which is Fleur Delacour's arrival (much to Ron's delight) to take her place as substitute teacher for Care of Magical Creatures as Hagrid had just had himself attacked by his pet Griffin which according to him was lent by an anonymous friend (Harry, Ron and Hermione agrees that they'd heard that excuse). The Griffin, which Hagrid fondly calls Gimeree, was already the size of a small horse but with the head of an eagle and the body of a full grown lion when Professor Lupin found it. He had held his suspicions about Hagrid keeping a creature (a monster to be exact) in his hut when the latter kept coming late to his classes filled with scars and tears of surprisingly enormous sizes. And although Hagrid's cuts were already healed, Professor Dumbledore advised him to drop teaching for a while to get himself time to take care and humorously, play with Gimeree (He made Hagrid keep it for the meantime at the Forbidden Forest, provided that he won't let anyone get near it.) Hagrid gladly agreed to this remarking that he and Gimeree had developed some sort of strong parental bonding and promised that he'd get back to his post as soon as Gimeree is strong enough to wander back to his habitat alone. Personally, Hermione wished it would be soon because Fleur had been acting like a male magnet lately. Almost every boy she knew kept goggling at her like a hawk during their Care of Magical Creatures class. And the fact that Fleur refuses to wear the regular black school cloaks reserved for the Professors but kept strictly to her skin-hugging cloaks did not help either.
"I hope it starts to snow soon." Hermione told Harry one cold afternoon while Fleur was busily engaging Professor Lupin in a chat.
"Why is that?" Harry asked as the cat-like creature he was petting purred.
"So she could start showing up in our classes all wrapped up, for a change."
"Oh." was all Harry could say. He spotted Ron at the front row, still looking at Fleur with a dreamy gaze. He can't help but smile at him who was easily the most entranced student of Fleur.
"I don't think they should let someone like her-I mean, a half and half like her teach our classes. It's really dangerous and not too smart a decision." Hermione was saying as Fleur finally entered the room. She was tugging a very hesitant-looking Lupin at her side.
"C'mon Hermione, look at Lupin. He's a werewolf but he's the best Defense Against Dark Arts teacher there is. And besides, Fleur is quite good in dealing with magical creatures as her grandmother was a veela herself. You just don't like her because she's attracting too much attention." as Harry said this, a loud crash made them crane their necks.
"Oops! S-Sorry P-Professor Fleur.the chair's a little old..." Ron muttered hastily, standing up from the heap of broken wood.
"Oh. 'appens al ze time." Fleur reassured him (Hermione tutted loudly at this). Fleur raised her arms at them in a flimsy manner to get their attention.
"Clazz, today we are taking up Kneazles and Proffezzor Lupin iz 'ere to 'elp us demonstrate ze unique abilities of zees adorable creatures." she told them beaming.
"Oh, so these are Kneazles." Harry muttered, observing the creature at his lap. It looked so much like a cat with spotted fur and very large ears. But unlike a common cat, it has the tail of a lion.
"Some of you might 'lready be familiar with zem as zey make exzellent wizard pets. Zey are usually independent and 'ould like to be left alone but eef a witch or wizard gains its trust, zey can be very loyal and dependable. But above all zis traits, a Kneazle iz best known for its uncanny ability to detect suspicious charactairs. So what do you think class, brilliant, aren't zey? (the class nodded politely.)
Fleur smiled sweetly at Lupin who looked very uncomfortable.
"Psst! Ron, over here." Harry called and Ron snapped out of his trance and turned hastily to sit beside Harry, looking confused and irritated.
"What about, Harry? Fleur's discussing some really good stuff out there.." "Oh, I'm sure she is, Ron. Look at her grip at Lupin's robes, as if Lupin would pass out cold right after he touches that Kneazle!" Hermione pointed out.
Observing the scene at the front, they realized that Hermione was quite right. While Lupin was taking out a very harmless-looking Kneazle from its cage, Fleur was clutching at his robes tightly cooing in a hushed voice 'Pleez be careful, Remus. It might get you!' all the time. It was a sickening sight. Hermione was glad that the snoozing Kneazle finally lifted its eyes to Lupin to survey him with a suspicious look, otherwise she would have died of boredom.
"See Fleur, there's nothing too alarming about a Kneazle. Once it trusts you, it is quite harmless." Lupin said handing the Kneazle over to Fleur. But right after the Kneazle caught sight of Fleur, it started spitting out hysterically and flashed its sharp teeth at her.
"I think it doesn't like moi very much, Remus." Fleur said uncertainly.
"Oh, that's because you're a veela." Hermione suddenly said out loud.
Everyone whirred around to stare at her shocked. She hadn't meant to burst it out like that but the sight of Fleur making flirty passes at Lupin, or at anyone for the matter, was very annoying. From the other side of the room, Draco Malfoy sniggered heartily. This was shortly followed by the other Slytherin kids.
"Hermione!" Ron hissed at her, looking scandalized.
"I meant half-veela, half-human. I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything with that." Hermione started, looking curtly at Fleur who didn't look one bit ashamed. Hermione thought she looked somewhat-proud.
"Oh, zat's okay. You're just voicing out your thoughts. An' don't worry, you're not ze first to guess correctly." Fleur said, now positively beaming. But before she could return to her teaching, Draco spoke,
"But I can see that the Kneazles aren't all that keen in detecting filthy persons as it wasn't able to."
"Spot that I'm a werewolf." Lupin finished for him. All heads tuned to him, including Harry's who was quite worried this snide remark would upset him. But he just shrugged at the sudden attention although Harry noticed that he was quite pale.
"Okay, everyone try to get a Kneazle for yourself. But eef it bares iz teeth at you, stay away from it immediately, understood?" Fleur instructed plainly to them after a moment of silence. She then turned back again to Lupin and Hermione heard her ask,
"Are you really?"
"Yes. Sorry, I didn't warn you earlier. You might have noticed that I'm not too keen on it. But all the same, OI should have told you."
"Oh, no, don't be sorry! I am just amazed that I met another one 'ere. You zee, we also 'ave a long line of werewolves somewhere in ze family and I find nothing quaint in them at all. Personally, I think you're one of ze more beautiful creatures...."
Hermione glimpsed a flabbergasted look at Lupin's face. But before she could listen further to their conversation, Draco appeared at her side. He was clutching an over-excited Kneazle at his arms which kept licking his face when he wasn't holding it down well. Beyond him, Hermione could make out Crabbe and Goyle struggling to get away from a very ill-tempered Kneazle which was waving a threatening paw and claw at them.
"Nice one, Hermione, I have always thought she was one of those beasts...." Draco told her.
"I didn't do it on purpose, Draco." They were back on speaking terms again after Draco had solemnly promised not to do anything similar to the thing he did to her on the hospital wing again-ever.
"Still-it was a brilliant remark." she heard him say when Harry suddenly popped out of nowhere. Hermione was starting to think that Harry was making it his business to interrupt any conversation she was having with Draco.
"Err-Hermione, I think it likes you better..." Harry mumbled as the Kneazle he was holding suddenly leapt at Hermione. It purred comfortably at her arms and swished its lion tail lazily.
"Oh." Hermione heard Draco utter behind her but when she turned around to see what he was 'oh-ing' about, a high-pitched scream answered her. The Kneazle that Draco was holding previously now had its sharp claws sunk in Fleur's lilac, silk robes. It was looking mad with desire to rip the cloth, and apparently Fleur's skin apart. Fleur tried to pull it away, but in vain. So she climbed on top of the table instead. Confusion started to stir when Lupin tried to tag Fleur down. The Kneazle was still clutching her cloak firmly, and her screaming wasn't doing any good.
"Miss Fleur, would you please calm down and let me take it of you."
"Aggh! Let gooo of moi!!!"
Lupin reached out for the Kneazle at Fleur's cloak and started coaxing it mildly.
"Shhh, girl, come here now. Yes, jump to me slowly now.good girl!" Lupin exclaimed as the Kneazle finally went to him and allowed him to be heaved back to its cage. The class was still applauding appreciatively when Fleur, her eyes brimming with tears, sprang at Lupin and hugged him around the neck. It was indeed, the most unfortunate time for the door to swing open and reveal a very sinister-looking Severus Snape. Fleur had just started raining Lupin with kisses on both cheeks.
Snape's gaze lingered to the still semi-shocked class, to the hissing Kneazles at his feet, then finally to Professor Lupin who was still carrying a flustered Fleur Delacour in his arms. Lupin found his tongue first and, placing Fleur gently down, he spoke,
"Severus, what a pleasant surprise."
"What a pleasant surprise indeed." Snape replied, a nasty grin forming in his sallow face.
"What can we do for you, Profezzor Snape?" Fleur asked curtly at Lupin's side.
"The headmaster wants the students at the Great Hall in ten minutes. He has some important things to discuss-if we're not too busy, of course." Snape added coldly as the Slytherins found humor once more in the situation.
"We are corning, Professor. Now, if you will excuse us, we have some cleaning to do." Lupin told him.
"Whatever you say so, Remus." Snape finally said before leaving. Whether the scene was proceeded by another set of flirty passes by Fleur or not, they had not time to guess as they were all too eager to enter the Great Hall.
"What could it be about this time?" Ron asked curiously.
"Of course, it's about the N.E.W.T.s, silly. It's the fourth month, remember?" Hermione snapped.
"Oh." Ron muttered, a dark look setting in his face. But before he could argue about it all over again, Professor Dumbledore's figure suddenly appeared from behind a secret door. He cleared his throat and screened the small crowd with a penetrating gaze. Then after the shuffling of feet died down, he started speaking,
"I summoned you here this afternoon because of some important matters that are going to take place in the next couple of weeks. And since I prefer to let you know the bad news first before the good ones, without further ado, I give you these announcements: First, the N.E.W.T.exams are scheduled two days before the Christmas celebration. All seventh years are required to take it but alight some unfortunate circumstances regarding the Dark Lord's return, as we should all learn to accept, the exams are going to be a lot tougher than it has been traditionally (at this Dumbledore smirked a little and a few students laughed). And it will not be done the usual way either. Instead of parchments and practical exams, we are establishing an impartial selector much like the Goblet of Fire but of smarter and more independent nature. Those who will be chosen shall be announced on the Christmas feast. Therefore, everyone is invited to stay over for the holidays to bid their farewell to the students who will be leaving us for their own noble purpose in the League. That's all to it. You may all return to your classes and hope that something gets in your thick heads. The last few lessons you will be taking might just prove to be very crucial in the coming exams so listen well and eat ample amounts treacle tarts and cockroach clusters."
With this, Professor Dumbledore slid away from the crowd of chattering students. But even after he was out of sight, everyone stayed rooted to their spots.
"What kind of questions do you reckon the impartial selector will ask?" a curly-haired Hufflepuff girl asked.
"Perhaps it will ask you to demonstrate how the three unforgivable curses are worked out."
"No, it can't do that!"
Ron turned to Hermione, the same sick look still plastered on his face.
"So, we're all supposed to take it after all."
Hermione nodded. Harry looked away. He thinks he has a clue on what Ron was feeling rat that moment. They were both positively sure that Hermione would pass the tests. And a sinking feeling inside told him that they would be losing a very good friend sooner than they'd expected.
"Oh, don't worry, Ron, I'd still write to both of you!" Hermione whimpered at them after figuring out their silence.
"Hey, you still haven't passed the test, y'know. Let's just keep our fingers crossed." Ron told her forcing a smile.
The night before the day of the exams, Draco and Hermione were still inside the hole doing some late work. Hermione had decided to continue studying with him even after the agreed three weeks. She figured that it would be less lonesome if she had company. And besides, Draco proved to be very good in spells himself and with his help, the two of them were able to take up loads of stuff they never knew before (including a handful of dark curses Draco looked up on).
"Locomotor Mortis!" Draco said almost lazily.
Hermione stood rooted to her spot with both legs joined tightly at her ankles.
"Draco, stop doing that! You already mastered that hex since first year." she scolded, undoing the curse with a swish of her wand.
"Well, excuse me, but you'd been walking to and fro for the last hour like some nut. You're getting on my nerves. Just calm down, will you?"
"How can you say that when the exams are tomorrow and there's still so much to learn!" Hermione squeaked, panic glistening once more in her eyes.
"Hermione, there isn't anything we could have possibly missed. Why won't you just give up and take some rest?"
Hermione sat at the crafted chair facing Draco and sighed.
"Ask me, Draco."
"Not again, Granger."
"C'mon, just ask me anything." she insisted.
"Fine. What is a Lethifold and where can you find its mouth?" Draco asked acidly.
"A Lethifold is a creature that looks like a cloak and devours sleeping wizards by enveloping them with its sheet-like body. And it has no mouth."
"What else can you do when attacked by a Pogrebin besides the Stupefying charm and hexes?"
"What? You said all the possible defense there is. I'm quite sure I didn't miss out any."
"Sure you did, Granger. You just missed out kicking. It's also an effective means of defense." Draco reasoned out, his eyes alight with malice. "Finally, something you didn't get right. Are you happy now?"
"Very funny, Malfoy."
"It says so in this book, if you just read careful enough, Granger. And you're supposed to know everything." Draco taunted playfully at Hermione.
Hermione just sighed heavily and crouched her legs up in the chair. She was dead tired and her mind was already so full of things, she just couldn't take in any more reading. So, she just sat there comfortably, waiting for her anxiety to drift away. Then, while staring at her ankle, she remembered something.
"Umm.Draco?"
"What?"
"Where did you learn how to cure ankles?" Hermione asked as nonchalantly as possible. Draco narrowed his eyes at her. For a while, Hermione thought he wouldn't answer but he did anyway.
"My father taught me how to cure bones during my fourth year. I told you before, that it came in handy, and it did. He knew that I would be using it an awful lot."
"To whom did you have to use it?"
"On me." Came Draco's answer.
Hermione darted her gaze at him and felt greatly sorry for having asked the question. She noticed however, that Draco was looking quite as pleasant as before, if not, he looked more relaxed.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked." Hermione was saying but when Draco stopped her,
"It's okay." He was peering at Hermione as if waiting for her to spill out the rest of her questions. Hesitantly, Hermione started again,
"Why do you get broken bones?"
This time, Hermione was afraid she pushed Draco too far so she decided to drop the question.
"You don't have to answer that." she quickly took back. She was surprised to hear Draco laugh, thought it was a hollow, steely laugh.
"Really, Granger, it's so obvious that you were dying to know. Don't worry, I think I can trust you with the Malfoy family secrets anyway."
Draco paused for a moment, and stared at Hermione. He didn't know why he wanted to tell her about it and he perfectly knew that he shouldn't. But she was Hermione and he had always considered her quite apart from anybody else, or so he thought. Deep down Draco knew that he just needed to let her know him-entirely and not through a looking glass.
"Hermione, I needed to master the healing charm for myself mostly so that I wouldn't find myself cowering helplessly at night after my short duels with Lucius." After he had mentioned Lucius's name, he saw Herrnione's eyes flash with concern.
"Oh, he does it for me though. He says no great wizard woke up as they are. They faced pain and slept with it without complain. So pain is what he gives me. That's just how my father expresses his dreams for me." Draco finished bitterly. He had never thought about his encounters with his father as any sort of educational duel the way he had told Hermione. But he thought it would make him sound like an abused child if he told her that Lucius beats him out of sheer sadistic urges. Nor would it sound right if he had told her that he was simply hit because of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. After all, he was given everything he could possibly want. But in exchange for that, he had to endure his father's vicious temper and bid his will. Three months ago, he would have considered these tasks to be very simple. Just follow and don't ask-what could be easier than that? But after he'd realized that there was something nice and good he wanted for himself, but not something his father would want for him, he couldn't help but view his situation with bitterness.
"Draco, you can learn without having to feel pain. You're very brilliant and quick. You shouldn't let him hurt you." Hermione said, disturbing his thoughts.
Draco was astonished to hear such praise. It was definitely something his father had never given thought of. But Hermione had.
"I think you're er-brilliant too, Hermione. That's why you shouldn't think anymore of the N.E.W.T.s. You're going to pass it. All you need is rest." he told her, changing the topic.
"You think so?" Hermione asked, knitting her eyebrows. She didn't pursue the topic about Lucius anymore.
"I know so. Let's just get the hell out of here and have some sleep. It's pretty late." he said, turning towards the hole.
"By the way, Draco, thank you."
"For what?" he asked, startled.
Hermione looked at him warmly and elaborated,
"For staying with me all the time. I couldn't have gotten through all this without your company. And also-for trusting me with your story."
Draco couldn't believe Hermione was the one thanking him. He looked at her disbelieving but she just beamed at him in return. Then feeling his cheeks warm up with humiliation, he turned his back at her and murmured 'Fine'. But it was the most grateful 'fine' he had ever said to anyone.
They sneaked out of the library for the last time and Draco fought the urge to walk Hermione back to her common room. He understood that after this, everything would return to normal. Their brief alliance has come to an end and the sooner he got used to it, the sooner he could move on.
"Goodnight." Hermione muttered to Draco who already had his back at her. Draco didn't answer back. Hermione watched him disappear at the corridor to her left and couldn't help but feel giddy. Why had Draco suddenly turned the cold shoulder on? She thought she knew the answer to this but was too tired to ponder on it. So she slipped back towards the tower alone and focused her thoughts on looking forward for a good night's rest.