Chapter 6 - Into Hogsmead
"Bless my Soul Hermione, what happened to you?" Hagrid bustled over to Hermione as she as Draco approached Care of Magical Creatures class from across the field. The rest of the class, made up of Gryfindore's and Slytherin's, all turned around to see what Hagrid was fussing about. Harry and Ron took one look at Hermione's bruised face and they dashed over. Before Harry started to fret over Hermione he stopped to give Draco a smouldering look of hatred. Draco was only too pleased to return his stair. He loathed Harry more than anything.
"Her, my Gods, are you okay? What on earth happened?" Ron reached up to touch Hermione's face, in an instant Draco's hand flew up and gripped Ron by the wrist. He didn't like the idea of Ron touching Hermione. Ron shook his hand free and glared at Draco. "What's your problem Malfoy?"
"Shouldn't you go join your Slytherin classmates?" Hagrid nodded towards Draco's friends. He wanted to talk to Hermione without Draco there.
"Yeah!" Harry glowered at Draco "Bugger off and join your 'classmates' Malfoy!"
"Umm, Harry, Ron. I need to show you something." Hermione held up her wrist, the golden thread sparkled gently as it caught the light. Harry looked at it dumbly, Ron knew exactly what it was and looked devastated for Hermione. "Its magical. It cant be broken, even by Dumbledor." Hermione explained to Harry.
"You mean, your trapped with Malfoy?" Harry couldn't quite believe it. "Is this why you weren't around last night."
"Yeah." She said.
Ron pointed at her eye and rounded on Draco. "Did you hurt her Malfoy, because if you did, I swear I'll kill you!"
Hagrid felt now was a good time to intervene, or he would have a fight on his hands. "Now 'Arry, Ron. Best you two get back a bit. I be wanting to talk with these two. Hurry along now!" He herded them away with his large gentle hands. As they walked away they threw Hermione despairing looks. Draco frowned at them angrily. Fools!
"Oh dear me. Well, if Dumbledor knows about it then there ain't much else to be done. Will you two be okay for classes?"
"We will be fine. Can we get on?" Draco pushed past Hagrid and Hermione hurried after him. It had been a difficult morning. Draco had cleaned her eye, and they had sat for a while drinking hot tea in silence. Sometimes Hermione had looked up to see Draco looking sadly into his cup. He really looked sorry. He had even asked if she really wanted to attend class. Hermione was shocked he would suggest they skive off lessons, and insisted she was well enough to go.
They joined the class, who where gathered around a large pen. Every single student was staring at them, the string and Hermione's eye. "What are you looking at?" Draco spat, most people looked away, although Harry continued to glare at Draco.
"Now then class!" Hagrid barged his way through the students and stood at the side of the pen, trying to look important. "Today we be looking at Werewolves, or Lycanthropes if you want to use the posh words for em." He flourished his hand in the direction of a beast that prowled about inside the pen. Hermione sensed Draco shrink away next to her.
"Are you okay?" She asked. Draco looked terrified. She seemed to recall he wasn't a big fan of Werewolves. He gulped nervously, then put on a brave face. He didn't want to look foolish in front of Harry (who was watching him closely.) Hermione took his hand in hers and walked towards the pen. All the students where gathered closely about it, trying to get a better look at the canine creature. She was very eager to see it herself. Draco went with her, although inside he felt very scared.
"What's the matter Malfoy? Scared?" Harry leaned over the pen and waggled his fingers, trying to get the attention of the wolf. Without warning the Werewolf suddenly swept up to the fence and snapped at Harry's fingers. Not even realising Werewolves could move so fast Harry yelled and pulled his hand out just in time. The class all laughed and Harry grumbled to himself. Draco was surprised to see Hermione suppress a giggle. He smiled, and he felt a little of his mischievousness creep back. Winking at Hermione (she looked a little confused) he slipped over to the gate whilst Hagrid was busy chiding Harry for teasing the Werewolf. He reached for the latch and snapped it up, the gate swung open with a loud creak. The entire class heard it, and in unison they all turned to see the gigantic shadow of a wolf pounce from the pen and swoop at Harry. Harry shrieked and took flight across the field, a wolf like shadow snapping his heels and Hagrid chasing them with a crossbow whilst shouting "Its only a baby Arry! Blow on 'is nose, that should calm 'im down!"
"Draco!" Hermione put her hands over her mouth, astonished at him.
"Oh C'mon Hermione, that idiot was asking for it. Whoops, I think the werewolf got him!" Draco pointed with glee at Harry, who was yelling like crazy and battling for his life against the wolf. Hagrid had the wolf by the tail and was pulling with all his might whilst the rest of the class scattered in panic. A small kid called Colin was taking pictures of Harry's near dismemberment. Draco chuckled as he saw Harry's legs waving about under a mass of very angry Werewolf.
Hermione looked desperately at Draco. He may have been showing remorse for hurting her that morning, but he wasn't helping the whole magical string situation by setting Werewolves on people he didn't like. She had a feeling that as long as he was around Harry then curing the curse on them was going be a lot harder.
"Um. Draco." Hermione swallowed hard, clenched her fists and said the hardest thing she had ever said in her life (even harder than telling her mum she was a witch) "Lets skip classes today. Kay?"
"Ohh yeah!" Draco cried happily. He never wanted to attend classes that day anyway. "Lets go down to Hogsmead. I haven't been there in ages!"
"I don't think that we should leave school grounds, Dumbledor might not approve."
Draco wrinkled his nose at Hermione "Screw that of duffer. It will be fun." He tilted his head at her "Ill buy you a butter beer!" He smiled, trying to change her mind.
"Well.." Hermione folded her arms, she really should go see if Harry is okay.
"Pleeeease?" Draco sang, in an Irishy sing song kinda way. Hermione's eyes widened. Did Draco just say 'please'? This must be a world record. Draco had said both 'sorry' and 'please' in the same day.
"Okay, okay!" She laughed as he grabbed her wrist and dragged her away.
**
The streets of Hogsmead where surprisingly empty. Draco had only ever seen it at weekends, so to visit on a weekday made a nice change. He still had Hermione by the wrist, and he lead her from shop window to shop window. They pressed their noses against the glass and peered in at the goodies inside the shops., chattering to each other about what they would love to buy most if they ever won the Weekly Wizarding Lotto.
"I would buy the entire set of Official Witches Weekly Spellbooks." Hermione said, here eyes sparkling "There are over 100 books, each in its own presentation box. It costs a fortune!"
Draco rolled his eyes. What a lame thing to want to buy. He thought it best not to mention his fathers library had the entire set, and he had never bothered to even read them. He felt Hermione would die of shock to learn that little bit of info.
"I would buy the Nimbus Plus model broom!" He said. Now that was a worthwhile purchase. In fact, he would write to his father and get him to order him one, ready for the Quidditch season.
They wandered on, until they came to a small pub called 'The Poachers Pocket'. It was tucked out of sight in a small ally. Draco pushed open the door and they went in. The bar was gloomy and dark. Smoke hung in the air like a cloud and clung to them as they wandered through. The ceiling was low, and Hermione had to duck as she almost hit her head on an overhead beam. Hermione had never been in a pub like this, it certainly wasn't your average family place. Draco ordered two butter beers from the bar and they wound through a tight passageway, down stone steps into an out of use smoking lounge. A fire crackled in a nearby hearth and heated the tiny room. They sat down at solid oak tables and sipped at their beers.
"Wow." Hermione looked about. "This is certainly, um, a nice pub." As she looked about a scruffy black tomcat hopped lightly onto her lap and gazed at her with its bright green eyes. "Ohh, hullo there puss." She said, stroking the cat.
Draco swallowed a mouthful of warm butter beer and looked at Hermione as she stroked the cat. He was getting used to having this string about his wrist. Both he and Hermione kept their tied hands up on the table, close together. This way they couldn't accidentally jerk the string and spill each others beer. Draco looked from the string to Hermione. Was she right about him this morning? Was the string there because of him? He still burned with shame an self hatred when he thought about hitting Hermione. He could still see the look of terror on her face. She looked fine now though. (well, apart from her bruise)
"Well, hello there Master Malfoy. Please, follow me." A voice, probably the barman, drifted down the passage into the smoking room. Master Malfoy? Draco's eyes where wide and he stared at Hermione. She looked blankly at him, then cried in surprise as Draco grabbed her and pulled her roughly under the table. The tom cat screeched and flew off like a bullet. Not a moment too soon had they hidden themselves had Lucius Malfoy, Draco's Father, swept into the room. He was flanked by the barman, who was looking a little worse for wear and slightly shaken to see Lucius Malfoy.
Draco held his hand over Hermione's mouth, and was so scared his father would catch them he was afraid to breath. If he was caught in a pub, outside of school, and with a mud blood! His Father would kill him.
"Yes yes, go away!" Lucius shoved the simpering barman out of his way, and called "Bring me a scotch!" as the barman retreated along the passageway.
Draco couldn't see much, just his Fathers legs. How long would he stay here for? It seemed like they had been waiting for hours. The barman had been through several times, bringing fresh drinks and scurrying away with the empty glasses. At times Lucius would consult a crystal sphere that he pulled from inside his robes. He never said anything though. Why was he here? Draco could feel his leg going numb. Damn! Hermione stared at him, her eyes large and scared. Draco looked panicked, cramp was setting into his leg. He tried with all his might to stay still, but he couldn't keep still any longer. Leg kicked out, an involuntary muscle spasm. His foot banged against a barstool and knocked it over. Lucius suddenly got up from where he sat, and strode over.
"Who's there?" He called, closing in. Draco's heart caught in his throat as his Fathers hand snatched under the table and dragged him painfully out, Hermione with him.
**~** I just cant help it, I'm so cruel to these two. Yeah, the story is getting a little more serious now, but I still have a ton of humour left in me before I'm done. Honest ^_^ I want to say a totally huge thank you to everybody who reviewed my story. It really makes me so so happy that you all enjoy it! I know some of you aren't too keen on the swearing in the story, but hey! I live in England, right near a big Cathedral school, and the kids there swear like troopers! Heh. Anyway, to say cheers I've produced some fanart for the story. It's for you lot, so please go take a look ^_^
http://www.quistle.co.uk/images/Drag.jpg
http://www.quistle.co.uk/images/Draher.jpg
Chapter 7 up as soon as I write it! Yaaay! **~**
"Bless my Soul Hermione, what happened to you?" Hagrid bustled over to Hermione as she as Draco approached Care of Magical Creatures class from across the field. The rest of the class, made up of Gryfindore's and Slytherin's, all turned around to see what Hagrid was fussing about. Harry and Ron took one look at Hermione's bruised face and they dashed over. Before Harry started to fret over Hermione he stopped to give Draco a smouldering look of hatred. Draco was only too pleased to return his stair. He loathed Harry more than anything.
"Her, my Gods, are you okay? What on earth happened?" Ron reached up to touch Hermione's face, in an instant Draco's hand flew up and gripped Ron by the wrist. He didn't like the idea of Ron touching Hermione. Ron shook his hand free and glared at Draco. "What's your problem Malfoy?"
"Shouldn't you go join your Slytherin classmates?" Hagrid nodded towards Draco's friends. He wanted to talk to Hermione without Draco there.
"Yeah!" Harry glowered at Draco "Bugger off and join your 'classmates' Malfoy!"
"Umm, Harry, Ron. I need to show you something." Hermione held up her wrist, the golden thread sparkled gently as it caught the light. Harry looked at it dumbly, Ron knew exactly what it was and looked devastated for Hermione. "Its magical. It cant be broken, even by Dumbledor." Hermione explained to Harry.
"You mean, your trapped with Malfoy?" Harry couldn't quite believe it. "Is this why you weren't around last night."
"Yeah." She said.
Ron pointed at her eye and rounded on Draco. "Did you hurt her Malfoy, because if you did, I swear I'll kill you!"
Hagrid felt now was a good time to intervene, or he would have a fight on his hands. "Now 'Arry, Ron. Best you two get back a bit. I be wanting to talk with these two. Hurry along now!" He herded them away with his large gentle hands. As they walked away they threw Hermione despairing looks. Draco frowned at them angrily. Fools!
"Oh dear me. Well, if Dumbledor knows about it then there ain't much else to be done. Will you two be okay for classes?"
"We will be fine. Can we get on?" Draco pushed past Hagrid and Hermione hurried after him. It had been a difficult morning. Draco had cleaned her eye, and they had sat for a while drinking hot tea in silence. Sometimes Hermione had looked up to see Draco looking sadly into his cup. He really looked sorry. He had even asked if she really wanted to attend class. Hermione was shocked he would suggest they skive off lessons, and insisted she was well enough to go.
They joined the class, who where gathered around a large pen. Every single student was staring at them, the string and Hermione's eye. "What are you looking at?" Draco spat, most people looked away, although Harry continued to glare at Draco.
"Now then class!" Hagrid barged his way through the students and stood at the side of the pen, trying to look important. "Today we be looking at Werewolves, or Lycanthropes if you want to use the posh words for em." He flourished his hand in the direction of a beast that prowled about inside the pen. Hermione sensed Draco shrink away next to her.
"Are you okay?" She asked. Draco looked terrified. She seemed to recall he wasn't a big fan of Werewolves. He gulped nervously, then put on a brave face. He didn't want to look foolish in front of Harry (who was watching him closely.) Hermione took his hand in hers and walked towards the pen. All the students where gathered closely about it, trying to get a better look at the canine creature. She was very eager to see it herself. Draco went with her, although inside he felt very scared.
"What's the matter Malfoy? Scared?" Harry leaned over the pen and waggled his fingers, trying to get the attention of the wolf. Without warning the Werewolf suddenly swept up to the fence and snapped at Harry's fingers. Not even realising Werewolves could move so fast Harry yelled and pulled his hand out just in time. The class all laughed and Harry grumbled to himself. Draco was surprised to see Hermione suppress a giggle. He smiled, and he felt a little of his mischievousness creep back. Winking at Hermione (she looked a little confused) he slipped over to the gate whilst Hagrid was busy chiding Harry for teasing the Werewolf. He reached for the latch and snapped it up, the gate swung open with a loud creak. The entire class heard it, and in unison they all turned to see the gigantic shadow of a wolf pounce from the pen and swoop at Harry. Harry shrieked and took flight across the field, a wolf like shadow snapping his heels and Hagrid chasing them with a crossbow whilst shouting "Its only a baby Arry! Blow on 'is nose, that should calm 'im down!"
"Draco!" Hermione put her hands over her mouth, astonished at him.
"Oh C'mon Hermione, that idiot was asking for it. Whoops, I think the werewolf got him!" Draco pointed with glee at Harry, who was yelling like crazy and battling for his life against the wolf. Hagrid had the wolf by the tail and was pulling with all his might whilst the rest of the class scattered in panic. A small kid called Colin was taking pictures of Harry's near dismemberment. Draco chuckled as he saw Harry's legs waving about under a mass of very angry Werewolf.
Hermione looked desperately at Draco. He may have been showing remorse for hurting her that morning, but he wasn't helping the whole magical string situation by setting Werewolves on people he didn't like. She had a feeling that as long as he was around Harry then curing the curse on them was going be a lot harder.
"Um. Draco." Hermione swallowed hard, clenched her fists and said the hardest thing she had ever said in her life (even harder than telling her mum she was a witch) "Lets skip classes today. Kay?"
"Ohh yeah!" Draco cried happily. He never wanted to attend classes that day anyway. "Lets go down to Hogsmead. I haven't been there in ages!"
"I don't think that we should leave school grounds, Dumbledor might not approve."
Draco wrinkled his nose at Hermione "Screw that of duffer. It will be fun." He tilted his head at her "Ill buy you a butter beer!" He smiled, trying to change her mind.
"Well.." Hermione folded her arms, she really should go see if Harry is okay.
"Pleeeease?" Draco sang, in an Irishy sing song kinda way. Hermione's eyes widened. Did Draco just say 'please'? This must be a world record. Draco had said both 'sorry' and 'please' in the same day.
"Okay, okay!" She laughed as he grabbed her wrist and dragged her away.
**
The streets of Hogsmead where surprisingly empty. Draco had only ever seen it at weekends, so to visit on a weekday made a nice change. He still had Hermione by the wrist, and he lead her from shop window to shop window. They pressed their noses against the glass and peered in at the goodies inside the shops., chattering to each other about what they would love to buy most if they ever won the Weekly Wizarding Lotto.
"I would buy the entire set of Official Witches Weekly Spellbooks." Hermione said, here eyes sparkling "There are over 100 books, each in its own presentation box. It costs a fortune!"
Draco rolled his eyes. What a lame thing to want to buy. He thought it best not to mention his fathers library had the entire set, and he had never bothered to even read them. He felt Hermione would die of shock to learn that little bit of info.
"I would buy the Nimbus Plus model broom!" He said. Now that was a worthwhile purchase. In fact, he would write to his father and get him to order him one, ready for the Quidditch season.
They wandered on, until they came to a small pub called 'The Poachers Pocket'. It was tucked out of sight in a small ally. Draco pushed open the door and they went in. The bar was gloomy and dark. Smoke hung in the air like a cloud and clung to them as they wandered through. The ceiling was low, and Hermione had to duck as she almost hit her head on an overhead beam. Hermione had never been in a pub like this, it certainly wasn't your average family place. Draco ordered two butter beers from the bar and they wound through a tight passageway, down stone steps into an out of use smoking lounge. A fire crackled in a nearby hearth and heated the tiny room. They sat down at solid oak tables and sipped at their beers.
"Wow." Hermione looked about. "This is certainly, um, a nice pub." As she looked about a scruffy black tomcat hopped lightly onto her lap and gazed at her with its bright green eyes. "Ohh, hullo there puss." She said, stroking the cat.
Draco swallowed a mouthful of warm butter beer and looked at Hermione as she stroked the cat. He was getting used to having this string about his wrist. Both he and Hermione kept their tied hands up on the table, close together. This way they couldn't accidentally jerk the string and spill each others beer. Draco looked from the string to Hermione. Was she right about him this morning? Was the string there because of him? He still burned with shame an self hatred when he thought about hitting Hermione. He could still see the look of terror on her face. She looked fine now though. (well, apart from her bruise)
"Well, hello there Master Malfoy. Please, follow me." A voice, probably the barman, drifted down the passage into the smoking room. Master Malfoy? Draco's eyes where wide and he stared at Hermione. She looked blankly at him, then cried in surprise as Draco grabbed her and pulled her roughly under the table. The tom cat screeched and flew off like a bullet. Not a moment too soon had they hidden themselves had Lucius Malfoy, Draco's Father, swept into the room. He was flanked by the barman, who was looking a little worse for wear and slightly shaken to see Lucius Malfoy.
Draco held his hand over Hermione's mouth, and was so scared his father would catch them he was afraid to breath. If he was caught in a pub, outside of school, and with a mud blood! His Father would kill him.
"Yes yes, go away!" Lucius shoved the simpering barman out of his way, and called "Bring me a scotch!" as the barman retreated along the passageway.
Draco couldn't see much, just his Fathers legs. How long would he stay here for? It seemed like they had been waiting for hours. The barman had been through several times, bringing fresh drinks and scurrying away with the empty glasses. At times Lucius would consult a crystal sphere that he pulled from inside his robes. He never said anything though. Why was he here? Draco could feel his leg going numb. Damn! Hermione stared at him, her eyes large and scared. Draco looked panicked, cramp was setting into his leg. He tried with all his might to stay still, but he couldn't keep still any longer. Leg kicked out, an involuntary muscle spasm. His foot banged against a barstool and knocked it over. Lucius suddenly got up from where he sat, and strode over.
"Who's there?" He called, closing in. Draco's heart caught in his throat as his Fathers hand snatched under the table and dragged him painfully out, Hermione with him.
**~** I just cant help it, I'm so cruel to these two. Yeah, the story is getting a little more serious now, but I still have a ton of humour left in me before I'm done. Honest ^_^ I want to say a totally huge thank you to everybody who reviewed my story. It really makes me so so happy that you all enjoy it! I know some of you aren't too keen on the swearing in the story, but hey! I live in England, right near a big Cathedral school, and the kids there swear like troopers! Heh. Anyway, to say cheers I've produced some fanart for the story. It's for you lot, so please go take a look ^_^
http://www.quistle.co.uk/images/Drag.jpg
http://www.quistle.co.uk/images/Draher.jpg
Chapter 7 up as soon as I write it! Yaaay! **~**