In the Mind of the Walking Encyclopedia - Chapter 14
Author: tainted black (tainted_black@twistedcandy.org)
Disclaimer: Not mine.
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Previous:
Malfoy leans over and unknots the tie slowly. "You're pathetic. Pathetic and stupid."
"Hey!" I protest.
Ignoring me, he continues. "But I guess I have to thank you for your stupidity. Or as you like to call it, 'Gryffindor bravery.'"
That was unexpected! Malfoy actually -thanked- me for something. Wait a second. He also insulted me at the same time. How should I take it?
"You're welcome," I say coolly.
"Hm." Malfoy slips the tie off and continues his walk back to his room.
As soon as the door closes, Hannah turns to me. "That's something I don't see every day. You guys seem to be on okay terms with each other."
I look at her. "He insulted and thanked me at the same time. You call that okay?"
"It's better than before."
I turn my gaze to Malfoy's door. "Maybe."
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After breakfast the next morning, Harry, Ron, and I walk to Hagrid's hut. The ground is still a little damp from the rain yesterday, so my shoes sink slightly into the dirt. I frown. Filch isn't going to like this... I make a mental note to kick all the mud off my shoes before going in the castle.
"Hermione, Malfoy," Hagrid says as he steps out just in time for class.
I look up, questioning him silently.
"What is it?" Malfoy asks. "Don't tell me we have to go find the bloody -thing-. I am -not- going in there again."
"The cabbit returned yesterday," Hagrid says. "Right after we found you two..."
The entire class turns towards Malfoy and I curiously. I can see the questions in their eyes... Oh, great. I don't want mud being thrown at me now.
"And since yeh've told Professor Dumbledore tha' yeh wands were broken, yeh two mus' get another one."
"And how exactly are we going to do that?" Malfoy asks sarcastically. "There aren't any wand shops at Hogsmeade. In fact, the only wand shop around here is at Diagon Alley."
"Portkeys?" I ask Hagrid, ignoring Malfoy completely. Hagrid nods. "But we've already missed two days' worth of lessons! Are you sure we can do this? Do we have permission? Oh, so much make up work..."
If there's one thing I hate, it's make up work. I've never actually done it before, but still, make up work? I wasn't even in class for those days. Okay, so I probably already -know- what the professors discussed in class, but there's that teeny tiny chance that they've told the class something for the final exams! And three days worth of make up work... I groan inaudibly.
"Well, you can't do the actual work without your wand," Harry says.
That was true...
"And you get to go out!" Ron points out. "I want to go out too... Hagrid, if I break my wand, can I go buy a new one too?"
The class laughs.
"I mean it," Ron says.
"Sorry, Ron," Hagrid answers, grinning. "Professor Dumbledore said only Hermione an' Malfoy."
Ron looks at Harry, frowning. "I didn't have to go through second year with a broken wand. I just should've told Professor Dumbledore about it."
"But if you did, we would've...erm...had so much...err, fun," Harry says, noticing that some of our classmates were hanging on to every word he said.
"Fun?" repeats Malfoy, raising an eyebrow. "That doesn't sound quite right. Did you have fun -together-? Or did you..."
"Not like that!" Ron exclaims, already turning red.
Malfoy smirks. "Right." He turns back to Hagrid. "So when do we get to go?"
"Now. Yeh two are comin' with me," Hagrid says. "An' teh class has a substitute. Only Professor Sprout was able to fill in at my short notice an' so fo today, she'll be teachin' yeh all."
"Lucky us," Pansy mutters loudly.
----------
Hagrid holds up a filthy sock. I think it was originally white, but it's really hard to tell with all that brown and green on it. Whatever color it was, it's now disgusting and noisome.
"We have to touch -that-?" Malfoy asks, putting a hand over his nose. "It reeks!"
"It's just a sock," I point out. I resist the urge to cover my own nose with my hand. "It's not like it's going to bite you or anything."
"It's hazardous!"
"Oh, grow up," I say, smiling in spite of myself.
"Do yeh want a new wand or do yeh want to be wand less fo tha rest of teh of teh year?" Hagrid threatens. "If yeh do...I'll gladly tell Dumbledore--"
"All right!" Malfoy resigns. He holds his breath and touches the sock.
"Now yeh, Hermione. It's set to go in about...ten seconds."
I touch the other end of the sock.
"Three...two...one," Hagrid counts down. "Now!"
I feel a sudden pull forward and I close my eyes. Have I mentioned that portkeys weren't my favorite method of transportation? I continue to jerk forward and I feel the sock pulling me in...
BAM!
My feet hit the ground and I anticipate my crash. No matter how many times I do this, I -always- end up on the ground. I feel myself falling forward...
"I see you aren't used to them," Malfoy says.
"Leave me alone. I'm falling," I reply, eyes still closed.
"If you wish..."
I open my eyes just in time to see him let go of me. The ground's suddenly looming forward to meet me...
"Ahhhhhh!"
He quickly puts his hands around my waist and my upper body falls on his chest.
"I thought you wanted to fall," he says innocently.
"Shut up," I mumble against his chest. I can feel myself blushing in embarrassment already. "That wasn't funny at all."
"That's because you didn't see yourself. 'I'm falling!'" He laughs as he lets go of my waist. "That's too much!"
I stand up straight, shaking my head. I don't see what's so funny about it. Hmpht. The only thing that caught me off guard was that he caught me before I fell... I always thought he would watch me fall and then laugh derisively at me.
Are you really sure about that? my brain asks. Maybe he would've helped you before. Face it--do you really know him?
Of course I do! I exclaim mentally. He's -Malfoy-. What's there to know? Nothing!
Did you know about the whole name thing? it asks.
Well, no.
He's just full of surprises! And he's -so- mysterious too, my brain swoons. Maybe you can get to know him better. In fact, you -should- get to know him better.
No.
I'm your brain and what I say goes!
I'd like to see you try--
"As much as I like to see you making funny faces to yourself, we really must get going," Malfoy says. He juts his thumb out at Hagrid's back. "He's starting to move."
"Wait, Hagrid!" I call out, running after him.
He turns around. "Sorry, Hermione. I thought yeh were right behind me. Buh as I was sayin'... Dumbledore wants me to do somethin' fo him--tah's why we're here today. Yeh two need ter go buy yeh wands alone becos teh store is over at teh other side of Diagon Alley. I'll be back soon. A couple hours at teh mos'. Do any of yeh 'ave teh time?"
I shake my head. "No. I thought Muggle things didn't work here. And I never thought I actually needed to know the time..."
"I don't have anything either," Malfoy says.
Hagrid pulls out an hour glass from his pocket. "'Ere yeh go. I'll meet yeh right here two hours from now. Dumbledore owled yeh parents fo the keys last night and 'ere they are." He hands us our keys. "An' remember...meet righ' in front of teh Leaky Cauldron an stick together!"
I nod as I watch Hagrid walk into the crowd of witches and wizards.
"So first up is Gringotts," Malfoy says, strolling towards the bank. "You know, I can just leave you here right now. Just walk off into Knockturn Alley, and you'd be stuck here all alone."
I follow behind him as fast I can. Malfoy walks rather quickly and he always seem to know where he's going and how to get there. Wait--of -course- he knows how to get to Gringotts, I reason. I bet he must've been there plenty of times--after all, he makes it no secret that he's loaded. As we enter the bank, a goblin bows at us. I smile at it, but it keeps its face emotionless. A bit disappointed at its lack of friendliness, I continue to follow Malfoy to the counter.
"May I help you?" the goblin behind the counter asks.
"We need to take money out of our vaults. Our -separate- vaults," Malfoy states professionally.
"Do you two have your keys?"
Malfoy sets his key on the counter and I mimic his action with my own key. The goblin inspects them both carefully and hands it back to us. "I'll call someone to help you. Grintin!"
Another goblin appears at one of the door and waves for us to come. "It's right this way."
We enter the stone passageway silently. It was always so cold in here... I shiver slightly. Grintin whistles and a small cart hurtles up the track towards us. We step into it and it zooms in and out of intricate passages. I hold on to the cart to keep my balance. After a few more twists and turns, we finally stop.
"Your key, sir," Grintin says simply to Malfoy. Malfoy hands it over. "Thank you."
He unlocks the door and the usual green smoke billows out of the door. Malfoy steps into his vault and I hear him collecting the wizard money. I curiously look over Grintin's shoulders and see gold everywhere. Gold there, gold here, gold to the left, gold to the right... GOLD! The whole vault was filled with gold! My mouth drops open. I know I shouldn't be surprised at all that gold, but I can't help it--all this gold is hurting my eyes.
Malfoy steps back into the cart, smirking at me. "I see you're surprised."
I snap out of it. "What? No. It's just gold. Why should I be surprised at seeing a room full of gold?"
"And that's only -one- of my vaults. I can only imagine how you would look like after seeing -all- of them."
He has more!? That rich git! He should spend all that money on getting a new attitude.
Grintin hands Malfoy his key back and we set off for another long and twisted journey through the underground. Zoom! Left! Right! Right! Up! Down! Left! Left! Up! Right! Left! Down! Down! Right! Up! And so forth until we reach my vault. I hand my key to Grintin and he unlocks the door.
I grab a couple handful of Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts and look around for a place to put them. Unfortunately, the Hogwarts skirts didn't come with pockets. I cough loudly.
"Are you done yet, Granger?" Malfoy calls out.
"I don't have anywhere to put them," I say. "I don't have any pockets. Nothing!"
I hear Malfoy groan. "That's just great."
"Hey, Malfoy... Your pants come with pockets, right?"
"I don't need to carry around extra money!"
"Come on, it's only a handful," I say.
"No."
"It's a -small- handful."
"No."
"Malfoy!"
"Granger!" he mimics.
I drop the coins on the ground. "Fine, if you want to be like that--why don't -you- just lend me some of -your- money and I'll pay you back as soon as we get back to Hogwarts?"
"No."
I sigh loudly and walk outside, glaring at Malfoy. "Do you -want- to carry more money?"
"I...no."
I look at him sternly. Stupid rich stubborn git.
"You're paying. And that's final." I give him what Ron and Harry call my if-you-don't-go-with-this-idea-I'll-hex-you-into-the-next-century look.
Malfoy concedes. "Fine. But remember, you owe me!"
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"Your wands broke?" Mr. Ollivander asks sharply. "How? You two aren't expelled, are you?"
I shake my head. "The Forbidden Forest got to it."
"I see," he says regretfully. "That's a shame. But I guess it's time for new ones. Here, Ms. Granger, try this one--beech wood and unicorn hair, seven inches."
I pick it up and a stream of sparks shoot through the air.
"Perfect. Not all that different from your old one... And as for you, Mr. Malfoy," he says, looking Malfoy over. "Ebony with dragon heartstring, thirteen inches."
Malfoy lazily picks it up and shoots sparks in the air.
"Perfect as well. Nine gold Galleons per wand."
Malfoy counts out the coins, hands Mr. Ollivander eighteen gold Galleons, and we exit the store.
"Nine Galleons," grumbles Malfoy.
"It's not like you can't afford it!" I respond, smiling. "You have enough Galleons in that vault of yours that I doubt you would notice if nine measly Galleons were missing."
He continues to mutter inaudibly to himself.
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"Why are we here again?" I ask as I watch Malfoy get fitted into a robe.
"Since my robe is ruined, I need to buy another one," he explains as Madam Malkin began to pin it to the right length.
"Yes, but why did you insist on feeling every material?"
He looks at me. "Why shouldn't I? I don't want some dirty old rag to wear."
I roll my eyes as I continue to watch Madam Malkin pin his other arm. Then I notice that Malfoy looks different today. I tilt my head as I try to figure out what was different about him. He looks the same...but he doesn't.
His hair, his hair! my brain screams. It's not gelled!
Oh. So what?
And he looks real, real good! my brain starts up again. Just breath taking!
I frown. "No he doesn't."
"Pardon?" Malfoy asks, turning his head my way. "Who doesn't what?"
"I, err, nothing," I reply, blushing. "It's nothing."
"I distinctively heard a 'he'," Malfoy continues. "And I don't see any other male besides me."
"I was talking about the statue."
"There is no statue."
"Okay. Then I was talking about the man outside," I lie.
He looks out the window. "There's no man outside the window. You're a terrible liar..." He smirks.
"Fine! It was you! Are you happy?" I shout. Argh!
"Depends. I don't what?" Malfoy looks at me curiously.
"You...uh. You don't have gel."
Pause.
Madam Malkim coughs.
Silence.
"Oh," Malfoy finally says.
"Done!" Madam Malkin announces. "Now, what about your girlfriend? Does she want a robe as well?"
"She's not my girlfriend."
"He's not my boyfriend."
Madam Malkin looks embarrassed as Malfoy steps off the footstool. "I'm terribly sorry. The way you two act and look at each other...I just thought..."
Malfoy and I look at each other before turning our heads the opposite way. I don't see it. We don't act or look at each other like -that-! She needs glasses. She obviously can't see our glaring looks of hatred or feel the palpable enmity around us!
"Do you want a robe?" Malfoy asks.
"I--" Well, my robe -did- catch on fire. "Sure."
"What material?" Madam Malkin asks.
"Just the same as this one," Malfoy answers.
I open my mouth to protest, but Malfoy holds up a hand. "Exactly the same."
Some enmity, huh?
-----------------
"I can't believe you paid forty-five Galleons for this!" I exclaim as we leave the store. "I'll have you know that I'm -not- going to be paying back for this!" I gesture to the robe in the bag. "I didn't even want it. I would've bought something less expensive and more practical."
Malfoy shrugs. "If -I'm- going to be buying stuff with my own money, it might as well be the very best."
"I was going to pay you back."
"And people would see -me- paying for it," he says.
"Do you care -that- much about what people think of you?" I ask.
He doesn't answer.
I'm starting to see a trend here. Sighing, I change the topic. "So where are we going now? Aren't the two hours up?"
"We have about fifteen minutes left and I have one last stop to make."
I can only think of two places where Malfoy has to make a stop at: somewhere in Knockturn Alley or Quality Quidditch Supplies. I hope it's not the former... I remember Harry describing everything he saw in there and I shiver. And after being dragged to Quality Quidditch Supplies by Harry and Ron so many times...I'm hoping it's not the latter either.
To my surprise, we step into Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor.
"Ice cream?" I ask as I look around the parlor.
"You don't like it?" he asks, surprised.
I shake my head. "No, I like ice cream. It's just that..." How do I phrase this?
We sit at a small table at the end of the store and a witch jauntily saunters towards us.
"Hello and welcome to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor! Name your flavor you want to savor!" she says perkily.
"Chocolate and raspberry with chopped nuts on a cone," Malfoy orders. "You?"
"I, err. How much money is this going to be again?" I'm beginning to worry that I've over exceeded my set limit for today.
Malfoy waves his hand dismissively. "It's on me."
In that case... "Strawberry and vanilla with fudge. And I've always wanted a cherry on top, too..." I add. "Two, no, three scoops. On a cone!"
The witch writes it down and slips away.
Malfoy smirks. "Someone here has a sweet tooth. You sure you can finish that off?"
I stick my tongue out him in a child-like manner. Ice cream is my secret love... No one comes between me and my ice cream, and I -mean- no one! My parents keep a short leash on what sweets I could eat, and ice cream -barley- made the list. So as you can imagine, I don't get a chance to eat it very much.
"As you were saying--just that what?" Malfoy asks, pulling a couple gold Galleons out.
I sigh. "Do you really want to know?"
"Now that you've perked my interest, yes." He sets the coins on the table and looks directly at me from seat.
"I just thought that you were going to go to Knockturn Alley or the Quidditch store," I explain. "But when I saw that wasn't your intention, I was a bit surprised. I guess I have you pegged wrong."
I told you so, my brain boasts.
Malfoy nods. "I see. Although going into Knockturn Alley isn't such a bad idea..." He raises his eyebrow suggestively. "We can go right after."
I examine his face carefully. I can never tell if he's lying or not. "It's a horrible idea. We're meeting Hagrid -right- after this."
The witch returns with our orders and swipes the coins into her uniform pocket. "Here we are!" she says as she gives us our frozen treats.
I gleefully take my cone and begin to lick it. Mmmm... Yummy. This is really good ice cream! I let my tongue savor the taste.
"Granger, it's melting," he warns as he nibbles on his ice cream.
"I don't feel anything." I turn the cone around and sure enough, the bottom scoop is melting. Sighing, I lick it off and begin to nibble on my ice cream.
He smirks. "You're a messy eater."
"I am not."
Malfoy points to his lips and chin. "It's all over your face. Geez, Granger..."
I hastily pick up a napkin and wipe my mouth. "Gone?"
"No."
I rub the napkin harder on my lips. "Now?"
"No."
Rub. Rub. RUBBB! My lips are starting to hurt. "-Now-?"
Malfoy smirks. "No."
"Here, hold this!" I say, handing him my cone. "I'm going to go to the lavatory."
He takes it and I walk to the lavatory, rubbing my face vigorously. Was the ice cream charmed to stay on your face? I open the door. Maybe some water will do the trick... I look at the mirror and see that my chin has turned an irritated red color. Argh, Malfoy! I slam my hands on the sink.
Calm down, Hermione, my brain consoles me. It's just minor skin irritation. And you can get him back.
How?
We'll find a way...
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"Malfoy," I say. "There's no trace of ice cream on my chin."
He turns around and looks at me innocently. "You must've gotten it off."
"Yes, huh?" I take my ice cream back from him. Only one more scoop to go... I smile to myself.
He nods. "Hurry up and finish. We only have eight minutes left... And your chin!" He begins to laugh.
Narrowing my eyes, I contemplate shoving the ice cream in his face. If he says -one- more thing...
"It's so red! You look like a clown, hahahaha!"
SPLAT.
I can't believe I actually did that. Merlin, I -don't- believe I... But there's proof right on Malfoy's face. I actually -shoved- the ice cream in his face. The entire store is quiet. Then...
"GRANGER!"
Eep.
"You--you--you," he stutters, glaring at me.
How can he look so serious with ice cream all over his face? I wonder. I laugh. "Hahahaha--"
SPLAT.
...
A cold, sticky substance hits my face. Ice cream. Right on my forehead.
"Not so funny now, huh?" He asks.
Well, let's see. We're in a store. Together. With ice cream on our faces. And everyone's just staring at us. Funny? Not at all. It's hilarious! I laugh again.
"May I ask what's so funny?"
"You, hahaha. Me, hahaha. Ice cream! -You- look like a clown!"
He stares blankly at me.
I point and laugh at him. "Hahahahaha!"
Slowly, he starts to grin. "At least I don't look like I'm growing a horn out of my head."
I laugh harder and a second later, he joins in.
The customers continue to stare at us.
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"Yeh right on time," Hagrid says. "Do yeh 'ave yeh wands and everythin'?"
"Yeah," I say, smiling.
We touch the portkey and we transport back to Hogwarts. I stagger onto Malfoy again, and this time, I'm not surprised when he catches me and sets me upright.
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o5.o4.o3 - -Long- chapter! Ooh, and look at the date. :D Isn't that cool? Lol. Hope you liked it! :D :D :D A tad bit fluffy, though. *frowns* Oh well. More stuff to come...as soon as I think of it. xDDD In the mean time, be happy with this. Lol, ice cream... Can't you tell I have a thing with food? Ahh~ It's a shame that will probably be the last time I use that gag.
And I see that only one person wanted to be put on my 'update' list... lol. Oh, well. :D The offer will continue to stand throughout this entire fic.
Oh, my goodness. @.@ So many reviews.
Thanks to: ast*P, Dreaming One, Sunshine Stargirl, Ponderer, MoshiMoshiQueen, Nadeshiko (o.O; Draco? A pansy? *makes an attempt to hit Sean, but misses* Pah.), fb90, Keeper of the Circle, tom4eva, cherie (lol, I like the tie idea too! xDDD), Moon Wolf, Draco is the man (No idea yet), Sailor Moon Rose (Lol, here's more... about 20 kb without my notes!), Aniiston (If I was Hermione, I would live off that moment for years.), HarryPotterWanter (*shrugs* Eh, it's a school. Rumors are bound to happen. :D Wait until you 'hear' some of the more...er..naughtier ones. And I have no idea if they were hospital gowns. I don't think they do. In the CoS movie, I remember Draco was still in his Quidditch uniform), Ellie, ally, one-crimson-tie (I think everyone uses that because it's so, hm, what's the word for it? sexy? *shrugs*), shigity-shiggity, Reika, somewhere-I-belong (He just thanked her for...well...'protecting' him, sort of.), horsegrl8311, Ash, Krissy, beckie13, and Aenea (lol, no problem!).
...That's too tiring. Lol. I'm going to give up writing all all these names after this, unless you write something I can actually comment on. *nod nod*
Too OOC? Too fluffy? Too strange? Write your comments in the review! *nods*
Author: tainted black (tainted_black@twistedcandy.org)
Disclaimer: Not mine.
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Previous:
Malfoy leans over and unknots the tie slowly. "You're pathetic. Pathetic and stupid."
"Hey!" I protest.
Ignoring me, he continues. "But I guess I have to thank you for your stupidity. Or as you like to call it, 'Gryffindor bravery.'"
That was unexpected! Malfoy actually -thanked- me for something. Wait a second. He also insulted me at the same time. How should I take it?
"You're welcome," I say coolly.
"Hm." Malfoy slips the tie off and continues his walk back to his room.
As soon as the door closes, Hannah turns to me. "That's something I don't see every day. You guys seem to be on okay terms with each other."
I look at her. "He insulted and thanked me at the same time. You call that okay?"
"It's better than before."
I turn my gaze to Malfoy's door. "Maybe."
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After breakfast the next morning, Harry, Ron, and I walk to Hagrid's hut. The ground is still a little damp from the rain yesterday, so my shoes sink slightly into the dirt. I frown. Filch isn't going to like this... I make a mental note to kick all the mud off my shoes before going in the castle.
"Hermione, Malfoy," Hagrid says as he steps out just in time for class.
I look up, questioning him silently.
"What is it?" Malfoy asks. "Don't tell me we have to go find the bloody -thing-. I am -not- going in there again."
"The cabbit returned yesterday," Hagrid says. "Right after we found you two..."
The entire class turns towards Malfoy and I curiously. I can see the questions in their eyes... Oh, great. I don't want mud being thrown at me now.
"And since yeh've told Professor Dumbledore tha' yeh wands were broken, yeh two mus' get another one."
"And how exactly are we going to do that?" Malfoy asks sarcastically. "There aren't any wand shops at Hogsmeade. In fact, the only wand shop around here is at Diagon Alley."
"Portkeys?" I ask Hagrid, ignoring Malfoy completely. Hagrid nods. "But we've already missed two days' worth of lessons! Are you sure we can do this? Do we have permission? Oh, so much make up work..."
If there's one thing I hate, it's make up work. I've never actually done it before, but still, make up work? I wasn't even in class for those days. Okay, so I probably already -know- what the professors discussed in class, but there's that teeny tiny chance that they've told the class something for the final exams! And three days worth of make up work... I groan inaudibly.
"Well, you can't do the actual work without your wand," Harry says.
That was true...
"And you get to go out!" Ron points out. "I want to go out too... Hagrid, if I break my wand, can I go buy a new one too?"
The class laughs.
"I mean it," Ron says.
"Sorry, Ron," Hagrid answers, grinning. "Professor Dumbledore said only Hermione an' Malfoy."
Ron looks at Harry, frowning. "I didn't have to go through second year with a broken wand. I just should've told Professor Dumbledore about it."
"But if you did, we would've...erm...had so much...err, fun," Harry says, noticing that some of our classmates were hanging on to every word he said.
"Fun?" repeats Malfoy, raising an eyebrow. "That doesn't sound quite right. Did you have fun -together-? Or did you..."
"Not like that!" Ron exclaims, already turning red.
Malfoy smirks. "Right." He turns back to Hagrid. "So when do we get to go?"
"Now. Yeh two are comin' with me," Hagrid says. "An' teh class has a substitute. Only Professor Sprout was able to fill in at my short notice an' so fo today, she'll be teachin' yeh all."
"Lucky us," Pansy mutters loudly.
----------
Hagrid holds up a filthy sock. I think it was originally white, but it's really hard to tell with all that brown and green on it. Whatever color it was, it's now disgusting and noisome.
"We have to touch -that-?" Malfoy asks, putting a hand over his nose. "It reeks!"
"It's just a sock," I point out. I resist the urge to cover my own nose with my hand. "It's not like it's going to bite you or anything."
"It's hazardous!"
"Oh, grow up," I say, smiling in spite of myself.
"Do yeh want a new wand or do yeh want to be wand less fo tha rest of teh of teh year?" Hagrid threatens. "If yeh do...I'll gladly tell Dumbledore--"
"All right!" Malfoy resigns. He holds his breath and touches the sock.
"Now yeh, Hermione. It's set to go in about...ten seconds."
I touch the other end of the sock.
"Three...two...one," Hagrid counts down. "Now!"
I feel a sudden pull forward and I close my eyes. Have I mentioned that portkeys weren't my favorite method of transportation? I continue to jerk forward and I feel the sock pulling me in...
BAM!
My feet hit the ground and I anticipate my crash. No matter how many times I do this, I -always- end up on the ground. I feel myself falling forward...
"I see you aren't used to them," Malfoy says.
"Leave me alone. I'm falling," I reply, eyes still closed.
"If you wish..."
I open my eyes just in time to see him let go of me. The ground's suddenly looming forward to meet me...
"Ahhhhhh!"
He quickly puts his hands around my waist and my upper body falls on his chest.
"I thought you wanted to fall," he says innocently.
"Shut up," I mumble against his chest. I can feel myself blushing in embarrassment already. "That wasn't funny at all."
"That's because you didn't see yourself. 'I'm falling!'" He laughs as he lets go of my waist. "That's too much!"
I stand up straight, shaking my head. I don't see what's so funny about it. Hmpht. The only thing that caught me off guard was that he caught me before I fell... I always thought he would watch me fall and then laugh derisively at me.
Are you really sure about that? my brain asks. Maybe he would've helped you before. Face it--do you really know him?
Of course I do! I exclaim mentally. He's -Malfoy-. What's there to know? Nothing!
Did you know about the whole name thing? it asks.
Well, no.
He's just full of surprises! And he's -so- mysterious too, my brain swoons. Maybe you can get to know him better. In fact, you -should- get to know him better.
No.
I'm your brain and what I say goes!
I'd like to see you try--
"As much as I like to see you making funny faces to yourself, we really must get going," Malfoy says. He juts his thumb out at Hagrid's back. "He's starting to move."
"Wait, Hagrid!" I call out, running after him.
He turns around. "Sorry, Hermione. I thought yeh were right behind me. Buh as I was sayin'... Dumbledore wants me to do somethin' fo him--tah's why we're here today. Yeh two need ter go buy yeh wands alone becos teh store is over at teh other side of Diagon Alley. I'll be back soon. A couple hours at teh mos'. Do any of yeh 'ave teh time?"
I shake my head. "No. I thought Muggle things didn't work here. And I never thought I actually needed to know the time..."
"I don't have anything either," Malfoy says.
Hagrid pulls out an hour glass from his pocket. "'Ere yeh go. I'll meet yeh right here two hours from now. Dumbledore owled yeh parents fo the keys last night and 'ere they are." He hands us our keys. "An' remember...meet righ' in front of teh Leaky Cauldron an stick together!"
I nod as I watch Hagrid walk into the crowd of witches and wizards.
"So first up is Gringotts," Malfoy says, strolling towards the bank. "You know, I can just leave you here right now. Just walk off into Knockturn Alley, and you'd be stuck here all alone."
I follow behind him as fast I can. Malfoy walks rather quickly and he always seem to know where he's going and how to get there. Wait--of -course- he knows how to get to Gringotts, I reason. I bet he must've been there plenty of times--after all, he makes it no secret that he's loaded. As we enter the bank, a goblin bows at us. I smile at it, but it keeps its face emotionless. A bit disappointed at its lack of friendliness, I continue to follow Malfoy to the counter.
"May I help you?" the goblin behind the counter asks.
"We need to take money out of our vaults. Our -separate- vaults," Malfoy states professionally.
"Do you two have your keys?"
Malfoy sets his key on the counter and I mimic his action with my own key. The goblin inspects them both carefully and hands it back to us. "I'll call someone to help you. Grintin!"
Another goblin appears at one of the door and waves for us to come. "It's right this way."
We enter the stone passageway silently. It was always so cold in here... I shiver slightly. Grintin whistles and a small cart hurtles up the track towards us. We step into it and it zooms in and out of intricate passages. I hold on to the cart to keep my balance. After a few more twists and turns, we finally stop.
"Your key, sir," Grintin says simply to Malfoy. Malfoy hands it over. "Thank you."
He unlocks the door and the usual green smoke billows out of the door. Malfoy steps into his vault and I hear him collecting the wizard money. I curiously look over Grintin's shoulders and see gold everywhere. Gold there, gold here, gold to the left, gold to the right... GOLD! The whole vault was filled with gold! My mouth drops open. I know I shouldn't be surprised at all that gold, but I can't help it--all this gold is hurting my eyes.
Malfoy steps back into the cart, smirking at me. "I see you're surprised."
I snap out of it. "What? No. It's just gold. Why should I be surprised at seeing a room full of gold?"
"And that's only -one- of my vaults. I can only imagine how you would look like after seeing -all- of them."
He has more!? That rich git! He should spend all that money on getting a new attitude.
Grintin hands Malfoy his key back and we set off for another long and twisted journey through the underground. Zoom! Left! Right! Right! Up! Down! Left! Left! Up! Right! Left! Down! Down! Right! Up! And so forth until we reach my vault. I hand my key to Grintin and he unlocks the door.
I grab a couple handful of Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts and look around for a place to put them. Unfortunately, the Hogwarts skirts didn't come with pockets. I cough loudly.
"Are you done yet, Granger?" Malfoy calls out.
"I don't have anywhere to put them," I say. "I don't have any pockets. Nothing!"
I hear Malfoy groan. "That's just great."
"Hey, Malfoy... Your pants come with pockets, right?"
"I don't need to carry around extra money!"
"Come on, it's only a handful," I say.
"No."
"It's a -small- handful."
"No."
"Malfoy!"
"Granger!" he mimics.
I drop the coins on the ground. "Fine, if you want to be like that--why don't -you- just lend me some of -your- money and I'll pay you back as soon as we get back to Hogwarts?"
"No."
I sigh loudly and walk outside, glaring at Malfoy. "Do you -want- to carry more money?"
"I...no."
I look at him sternly. Stupid rich stubborn git.
"You're paying. And that's final." I give him what Ron and Harry call my if-you-don't-go-with-this-idea-I'll-hex-you-into-the-next-century look.
Malfoy concedes. "Fine. But remember, you owe me!"
---------
"Your wands broke?" Mr. Ollivander asks sharply. "How? You two aren't expelled, are you?"
I shake my head. "The Forbidden Forest got to it."
"I see," he says regretfully. "That's a shame. But I guess it's time for new ones. Here, Ms. Granger, try this one--beech wood and unicorn hair, seven inches."
I pick it up and a stream of sparks shoot through the air.
"Perfect. Not all that different from your old one... And as for you, Mr. Malfoy," he says, looking Malfoy over. "Ebony with dragon heartstring, thirteen inches."
Malfoy lazily picks it up and shoots sparks in the air.
"Perfect as well. Nine gold Galleons per wand."
Malfoy counts out the coins, hands Mr. Ollivander eighteen gold Galleons, and we exit the store.
"Nine Galleons," grumbles Malfoy.
"It's not like you can't afford it!" I respond, smiling. "You have enough Galleons in that vault of yours that I doubt you would notice if nine measly Galleons were missing."
He continues to mutter inaudibly to himself.
----------
"Why are we here again?" I ask as I watch Malfoy get fitted into a robe.
"Since my robe is ruined, I need to buy another one," he explains as Madam Malkin began to pin it to the right length.
"Yes, but why did you insist on feeling every material?"
He looks at me. "Why shouldn't I? I don't want some dirty old rag to wear."
I roll my eyes as I continue to watch Madam Malkin pin his other arm. Then I notice that Malfoy looks different today. I tilt my head as I try to figure out what was different about him. He looks the same...but he doesn't.
His hair, his hair! my brain screams. It's not gelled!
Oh. So what?
And he looks real, real good! my brain starts up again. Just breath taking!
I frown. "No he doesn't."
"Pardon?" Malfoy asks, turning his head my way. "Who doesn't what?"
"I, err, nothing," I reply, blushing. "It's nothing."
"I distinctively heard a 'he'," Malfoy continues. "And I don't see any other male besides me."
"I was talking about the statue."
"There is no statue."
"Okay. Then I was talking about the man outside," I lie.
He looks out the window. "There's no man outside the window. You're a terrible liar..." He smirks.
"Fine! It was you! Are you happy?" I shout. Argh!
"Depends. I don't what?" Malfoy looks at me curiously.
"You...uh. You don't have gel."
Pause.
Madam Malkim coughs.
Silence.
"Oh," Malfoy finally says.
"Done!" Madam Malkin announces. "Now, what about your girlfriend? Does she want a robe as well?"
"She's not my girlfriend."
"He's not my boyfriend."
Madam Malkin looks embarrassed as Malfoy steps off the footstool. "I'm terribly sorry. The way you two act and look at each other...I just thought..."
Malfoy and I look at each other before turning our heads the opposite way. I don't see it. We don't act or look at each other like -that-! She needs glasses. She obviously can't see our glaring looks of hatred or feel the palpable enmity around us!
"Do you want a robe?" Malfoy asks.
"I--" Well, my robe -did- catch on fire. "Sure."
"What material?" Madam Malkin asks.
"Just the same as this one," Malfoy answers.
I open my mouth to protest, but Malfoy holds up a hand. "Exactly the same."
Some enmity, huh?
-----------------
"I can't believe you paid forty-five Galleons for this!" I exclaim as we leave the store. "I'll have you know that I'm -not- going to be paying back for this!" I gesture to the robe in the bag. "I didn't even want it. I would've bought something less expensive and more practical."
Malfoy shrugs. "If -I'm- going to be buying stuff with my own money, it might as well be the very best."
"I was going to pay you back."
"And people would see -me- paying for it," he says.
"Do you care -that- much about what people think of you?" I ask.
He doesn't answer.
I'm starting to see a trend here. Sighing, I change the topic. "So where are we going now? Aren't the two hours up?"
"We have about fifteen minutes left and I have one last stop to make."
I can only think of two places where Malfoy has to make a stop at: somewhere in Knockturn Alley or Quality Quidditch Supplies. I hope it's not the former... I remember Harry describing everything he saw in there and I shiver. And after being dragged to Quality Quidditch Supplies by Harry and Ron so many times...I'm hoping it's not the latter either.
To my surprise, we step into Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor.
"Ice cream?" I ask as I look around the parlor.
"You don't like it?" he asks, surprised.
I shake my head. "No, I like ice cream. It's just that..." How do I phrase this?
We sit at a small table at the end of the store and a witch jauntily saunters towards us.
"Hello and welcome to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor! Name your flavor you want to savor!" she says perkily.
"Chocolate and raspberry with chopped nuts on a cone," Malfoy orders. "You?"
"I, err. How much money is this going to be again?" I'm beginning to worry that I've over exceeded my set limit for today.
Malfoy waves his hand dismissively. "It's on me."
In that case... "Strawberry and vanilla with fudge. And I've always wanted a cherry on top, too..." I add. "Two, no, three scoops. On a cone!"
The witch writes it down and slips away.
Malfoy smirks. "Someone here has a sweet tooth. You sure you can finish that off?"
I stick my tongue out him in a child-like manner. Ice cream is my secret love... No one comes between me and my ice cream, and I -mean- no one! My parents keep a short leash on what sweets I could eat, and ice cream -barley- made the list. So as you can imagine, I don't get a chance to eat it very much.
"As you were saying--just that what?" Malfoy asks, pulling a couple gold Galleons out.
I sigh. "Do you really want to know?"
"Now that you've perked my interest, yes." He sets the coins on the table and looks directly at me from seat.
"I just thought that you were going to go to Knockturn Alley or the Quidditch store," I explain. "But when I saw that wasn't your intention, I was a bit surprised. I guess I have you pegged wrong."
I told you so, my brain boasts.
Malfoy nods. "I see. Although going into Knockturn Alley isn't such a bad idea..." He raises his eyebrow suggestively. "We can go right after."
I examine his face carefully. I can never tell if he's lying or not. "It's a horrible idea. We're meeting Hagrid -right- after this."
The witch returns with our orders and swipes the coins into her uniform pocket. "Here we are!" she says as she gives us our frozen treats.
I gleefully take my cone and begin to lick it. Mmmm... Yummy. This is really good ice cream! I let my tongue savor the taste.
"Granger, it's melting," he warns as he nibbles on his ice cream.
"I don't feel anything." I turn the cone around and sure enough, the bottom scoop is melting. Sighing, I lick it off and begin to nibble on my ice cream.
He smirks. "You're a messy eater."
"I am not."
Malfoy points to his lips and chin. "It's all over your face. Geez, Granger..."
I hastily pick up a napkin and wipe my mouth. "Gone?"
"No."
I rub the napkin harder on my lips. "Now?"
"No."
Rub. Rub. RUBBB! My lips are starting to hurt. "-Now-?"
Malfoy smirks. "No."
"Here, hold this!" I say, handing him my cone. "I'm going to go to the lavatory."
He takes it and I walk to the lavatory, rubbing my face vigorously. Was the ice cream charmed to stay on your face? I open the door. Maybe some water will do the trick... I look at the mirror and see that my chin has turned an irritated red color. Argh, Malfoy! I slam my hands on the sink.
Calm down, Hermione, my brain consoles me. It's just minor skin irritation. And you can get him back.
How?
We'll find a way...
------------
"Malfoy," I say. "There's no trace of ice cream on my chin."
He turns around and looks at me innocently. "You must've gotten it off."
"Yes, huh?" I take my ice cream back from him. Only one more scoop to go... I smile to myself.
He nods. "Hurry up and finish. We only have eight minutes left... And your chin!" He begins to laugh.
Narrowing my eyes, I contemplate shoving the ice cream in his face. If he says -one- more thing...
"It's so red! You look like a clown, hahahaha!"
SPLAT.
I can't believe I actually did that. Merlin, I -don't- believe I... But there's proof right on Malfoy's face. I actually -shoved- the ice cream in his face. The entire store is quiet. Then...
"GRANGER!"
Eep.
"You--you--you," he stutters, glaring at me.
How can he look so serious with ice cream all over his face? I wonder. I laugh. "Hahahaha--"
SPLAT.
...
A cold, sticky substance hits my face. Ice cream. Right on my forehead.
"Not so funny now, huh?" He asks.
Well, let's see. We're in a store. Together. With ice cream on our faces. And everyone's just staring at us. Funny? Not at all. It's hilarious! I laugh again.
"May I ask what's so funny?"
"You, hahaha. Me, hahaha. Ice cream! -You- look like a clown!"
He stares blankly at me.
I point and laugh at him. "Hahahahaha!"
Slowly, he starts to grin. "At least I don't look like I'm growing a horn out of my head."
I laugh harder and a second later, he joins in.
The customers continue to stare at us.
------------------
"Yeh right on time," Hagrid says. "Do yeh 'ave yeh wands and everythin'?"
"Yeah," I say, smiling.
We touch the portkey and we transport back to Hogwarts. I stagger onto Malfoy again, and this time, I'm not surprised when he catches me and sets me upright.
-------------------------------
o5.o4.o3 - -Long- chapter! Ooh, and look at the date. :D Isn't that cool? Lol. Hope you liked it! :D :D :D A tad bit fluffy, though. *frowns* Oh well. More stuff to come...as soon as I think of it. xDDD In the mean time, be happy with this. Lol, ice cream... Can't you tell I have a thing with food? Ahh~ It's a shame that will probably be the last time I use that gag.
And I see that only one person wanted to be put on my 'update' list... lol. Oh, well. :D The offer will continue to stand throughout this entire fic.
Oh, my goodness. @.@ So many reviews.
Thanks to: ast*P, Dreaming One, Sunshine Stargirl, Ponderer, MoshiMoshiQueen, Nadeshiko (o.O; Draco? A pansy? *makes an attempt to hit Sean, but misses* Pah.), fb90, Keeper of the Circle, tom4eva, cherie (lol, I like the tie idea too! xDDD), Moon Wolf, Draco is the man (No idea yet), Sailor Moon Rose (Lol, here's more... about 20 kb without my notes!), Aniiston (If I was Hermione, I would live off that moment for years.), HarryPotterWanter (*shrugs* Eh, it's a school. Rumors are bound to happen. :D Wait until you 'hear' some of the more...er..naughtier ones. And I have no idea if they were hospital gowns. I don't think they do. In the CoS movie, I remember Draco was still in his Quidditch uniform), Ellie, ally, one-crimson-tie (I think everyone uses that because it's so, hm, what's the word for it? sexy? *shrugs*), shigity-shiggity, Reika, somewhere-I-belong (He just thanked her for...well...'protecting' him, sort of.), horsegrl8311, Ash, Krissy, beckie13, and Aenea (lol, no problem!).
...That's too tiring. Lol. I'm going to give up writing all all these names after this, unless you write something I can actually comment on. *nod nod*
Too OOC? Too fluffy? Too strange? Write your comments in the review! *nods*