CHAPTER 3~ An Agreement
Draco woke up the next morning when his alarm clock went off. He turned it off groggily as the memories of the night before came flooding back to him. Hermione had seen his back and knew why he was in so much pain, and he didn't like that she knew anything. He was hoping that he wouldn't have to see her when he went down to the common room.
After he dressed, he headed down the stairs and saw that she was already sitting on one of the black chairs. She looked up as he walked down.
"Malfoy, I need-"
He didn't even acknowledge her presence, just walked past as if he hadn't heard her utter a word. Heading out the portrait, he heard her let out an annoyed sigh. **Serves her right** he thought. **That damn bitch shouldn't have walked into the fucking bathroom without knocking first**
Hermione was pissed off indeed. She had only wanted to talk to him and see if he was alright. ^^Of course he's not alright!^^ she thought. ^^How could he be with a gash like that across his back? I feel so terrible. I want to apologize to him, but does he care.NO!^^
She got up and walked out the portrait a few minutes after Draco had gone and headed down to the Great Hall. Ron and Harry were already there and stuffing there faces-what else is new?
"'Morning," she said half-heartedly as she plopped down in a seat across from them.
"What's up with you this morning?" Ron questioned skeptically.
"Problems with Ferret Boy?" Harry asked. "Want me to beat him up for you? I will. I don't want him giving you any shit."
"I'm fine, guys. Don't worry about it. Malfoy's just being himself." She looked across the Hall and met Malfoy's icy grey eyes. He sneered at her and turned back to his two gay companions while Hermione turned to hers. "Gods I hate him."
"And guess what we have first?" Ron asked. They both looked at him questioningly and he said, "Potions, with the Slytherins. This is just great! I love them so much!"
"Hey, I thought you loved me," Harry said defensively.
"I was joking. Of course I love you, Harry."
Hermione cringed mentally. Still, after two years, she couldn't handle it when they got all mushy on her. Part of her thought it was sweet that they had been able to be so open with each other and not lie, but another part of her couldn't get over the fact that they were homosexual.
Draco couldn't bare the pain in his back, but he still wouldn't let anyone see how much pain he was in. He continued to joke around with the Slytherins and make everything seem normal. As he was making fun of Granger, he dared to shoot a look across the Hall at her, and his cold gaze met her annoyed brown eyes. Almost as quickly as he glanced at her, he looked away again.
"I can't stand that stupid Mudblood bitch," he continued. "She's always bugging me and everything about her annoys the hell outta me. This year, I'm gunna embarrass her. I'll prove to her that purebloods are superior to Mudbloods. I'll tear her heart out." The Slytherins all seemed to think it was a brilliant idea and they nodded in agreement.
"Drakie, that is such a great idea. I could always help you if you want," Pansy said.
"Shut the fuck up!" he said. Her voice was so annoying, and he hated everything about her.
"Why are you being so mean to me lately? I thought you loved me," she responded and folded her arms defiantly over her chest.
"That's really funny, Parkinson. When did I ever love you? I simply went to the dance with you because no one else was available. Now, kindly take your disgusting hands off of me. Greatly appreciated, thanks."
The timetables were soon passed around and Draco saw that he had Potions first with the Gryffindors and that just made him even more pissed off. "Every fucking year for seven years it's been the same thing. The fucking Gryffindors ruin everything in that class. I hate losing time that we could be using to make our potions due to the fact that Snape always has to correct their stupid mistakes because they don't bother to follow directions the first time."
The entire Slytherin table, including the first years, knew not to bother Draco when he was ticked off. They knew he would explode if you said something to offend him. Hell, he would explode even if you didn't offend him. He just had a very short temper and didn't get along well with others.
After breakfast, the seventh year Slytherins and Gryffindors headed down to the dungeons for another fun-filled Potions lesson.
"Ugh, I hate having this first period with them," Ron said angrily.
"Chill out, Ron," Hermione answered. "Just try not to lose your head over anything stupid and we'll be fine. I hope that we're not being paired up today. I am not in the mood to make a potion with a Slytherin."
"Why, Granger? Do you have a problem with us?" came the cold, drawling voice of none other than Draco Malfoy.
"No, Malfoy. I just have a problem with you," she answered him coolly.
"And pray tell, just why is that, Mudblood?"
"That for one, and the fact that you're a cold-hearted asshole."
"Is that all? I was sure you would be able to come up with a better reason than that. Boy, I am disappointed."
"Leave her alone, Malfoy," Harry spat.
"And why should I listen to you, Queer?"
"Because you know I can take you, and you wouldn't want me to mess up your precious face, now would you?"
"Good one, Potthead, good one."
As soon as the classroom door opened, the students all filed in and took the same seats that they had been sitting in for the past six years. Professor Snape came in shortly after and everyone became immediately silent.
"Today we will be taking notes. I am hoping for no interruptions today because I am not in a particularly good mood. Do not say something you will regret." He began lecturing the class about some of the new ingredients they would be using that year.
Ron and Harry kept passing love notes to each other and Hermione kept rolling her eyes at them and praying that they wouldn't be caught.
Snape kept glancing in their direction like he thought they were doing something wrong, but they would pretend to be writing furiously when they saw his gaze turn to them.
Draco glanced across the room and saw Hermione glanced in his direction. He sneered at her and she turned back around to face the front of the room. Wondering what had possessed her to look at him, he scribbled a note and threw it in front of her.
Hermione opened it up and it read.
What are you looking at, Mudblood? Why don't you just keep your eyes on Snape Because your gaze makes me feel dirty.
She shook her head and scribbled a note back to Malfoy. He was surprised that she had actually got it to land in front of him.
Actually, Ferret Boy, I was just wondering, Do you always act like a complete jackass? Or does it just come naturally?
Once again, he scribbled an answer and threw it back at Hermione. Both were glad that Snape hadn't caught them yet, but feared that he eventually would.
It's one of those things that just comes naturally. Thanks for asking. Oh do you think I can borrow your notes later? I forgot to take them.
Hermione gave him a threatening look, but he gave her a puppy dog face and she couldn't resist. Before she wrote back, however, she couldn't help but wonder why he hadn't taken notes. Potions had always been his best class, and she had known that he always taken notes before.
Yeah, sure. I'll give them to you in the common room. If you don't mind me asking though, How come you didn't take notes today? You always do. What's going on?
She threw it back to him and a slightly perplexed look crossed his face. He didn't know whether he should tell her the real reason or give her the reason that she was probably expecting. He decided to give her the reason she had been expecting.
You should know. You saw my back last night. I can't concentrate with the pain that engulfs every part of me.
Hey threw it back to her and watched her carefully. She was jotting down noted between writing to him and she looked like she was concentrating very hard. **She's really pretty when she's working hard** he thought. **Where the hell did that come from? She's a Mudblood. She's not pretty** He was arguing with himself and he didn't like doing that. It made him feel like a schizophrenic and he hated feeling like that.
About that, is there anything at all I can do to help you? As much as I dislike you, I don't like seeing you in that much pain. If there's anything I can do to help let me know.
He was shocked that she had even offered to help her. Although he thought it would be good to have someone to help him out, he wasn't ready to tell anyone what had really happened, and he didn't want anyone's sympathy, especially not a Mudblood's.
"Mr. Malfoy!" Snape called.
"Uh, yes, Professor?"
"Sit up straight, won't you? You know that posture is not acceptable in my class."
"Sorry, Professor," he mumbled and tried to sit straight up, but his back hurt terribly and he had to bit his lip to stop himself from crying out in pain.
"Is there a problem, Mr. Malfoy?"
"None. None at all, Professor," he said through gritted teeth.
"Okay then. Back to the lesson. Mr. Malfoy, I would like a word with you after class."
"Yes, Professor."
He stared down at the piece of parchment that he had been writing to Hermione on and then scribbled a response and threw it back to Hermione.
I'll think about it and talk to you tonight. I have a few things to check up on though.
Hermione nodded to him and continued to take notes for the rest of the period.
After class, when the class filed out, Draco stood up and casually approached his favorite professor. "You wanted to see me, Professor?"
"What's wrong with you?" Snape asked gently. He had always thought of Draco of more like a nephew than anything.
"I'm fine. Why?"
"You're not fine, Draco. I saw the look of pain that crossed your face when you sat up. Did your father hit you again?" Draco remained silent and became interested in the floor. "Why do you insist on protecting him? It will only be harder on you."
"Professor, I'm fine. Look, I can walk and everything just fine."
"I know that you don't like to show when you're in pain. I've known you for seventeen years. Do you think I wouldn't notice when something is wrong?"
"Listen, can we just drop this for now?" Snape nodded once and Draco then asked, "Uh, Professor, can a wound that can't be healed by magic be healed by a muggle remedy?"
"Most of them can be. Why? What happened to you?"
"I-it's no big deal. I was just wondering. Can I have a note for my next teacher so he won't think I was purposely late?"
"Of course. Who's your next teacher?"
"Hagrid."
"If you can even call him a teacher," Snape sneered.
Draco smirked a little and accepted the note gratefully. "Thank you, Professor."
"Not a problem."
Draco walked out of the room and came face to face with Hermione Granger. "What do you want?" he asked irritably.
"Nothing now. Forget it." She turned to walk away, but he pulled her back to him.
"When a Malfoy asks a question, they get a direct answer. I'll ask you again Granger, what do you want?"
"I want you to let go of me so I can get to my next class, which unfortunately happens to Care of Magical Creatures with you."
"That's not what I meant, Mudblood. Why did you wait for me? Don't Potthead and Weasel realize your missing yet?"
"I don't care. I only waited for you to give you my notes. I'm deciding to give them to you now so I can study them tonight." She pulled four pieces of parchment out of her bag and handed them to him.
"Gods, can you take more notes? It'll take me the entirety of lunch to copy all of these!" She began to walk away and up the stairs. "I know that's not the only thing you wanted," he said while taking a few long strides to catch up with her.
"I wanted to know if you were alright, okay?"
"Yeah. I'm fine."
"I know your not, so don't pull that bullshit with me. What the hell happened to your back?"
Draco looked at her and to him it looked like she really did care. "I'll tell you later. I can't be seen talking to a Mudblood in public."
"Fuck you, Malfoy. You know what, I don't think I'm gunna help you now. You're a self-centered bastard who gets everything he wants. I can't stand pricks like you. It's because of people like you that this world is in such a state of chaos." She doubled her pace to try and get ahead of him, but he caught up quickly.
"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" She shrugged her shoulders and continued walking. "You better answer me, Granger."
"Or what, Malfoy? You'll call your daddy? I'm not afraid of you and I'm not afraid of him. You two are both psychopaths. How the hell can you be so damn cruel all the time?"
They reached the Entrance Hall, and instead of heading outside for class, Hermione went up the stairs. "Where are you going, Mudblood? We have class to get to."
"I'm not going right now, Ferret Boy. I'll talk to Hagrid later. He won't mind if I miss a class anyway; I am his best student."
"Where are you going then?"
"Where do you think? Gods, Malfoy, you really are dense sometimes."
"I try."
Hermione let out an exasperated sigh and opened the eagle statue that guarded their common room. She walked in and plopped down on the nearest sofa. Draco sat across from her and stared at her intently.
"What do you want, Malfoy?"
"I want you to help me."
"Hold on a minute! Weren't you just like what two seconds ago calling me a Mudblood? Now you want my help? I don't know, Ferret Boy. I'll have to think about that now."
"But you said before."
"That was before, this is now. I wasn't thinking before and I felt a bit bad for you. I'm not so sure I do now." She glared at him icily.
"Please?"
She continued to look at him, but her glare softened a little and she realized how desperate he really was. His eyes were pleading with her and she could truly see how much pain he was in. He was sitting in the same position he had been in on the train and he looked so vulnerable.
"Okay. But there are two things you have to do for me because I will deserve it."
"Anything."
"Number one, before I do anything, you tell me what happened. Number two, you don't call me Mudblood anymore-it's getting very old."
"I can deal with that."
They reached out and shook hands.
Draco woke up the next morning when his alarm clock went off. He turned it off groggily as the memories of the night before came flooding back to him. Hermione had seen his back and knew why he was in so much pain, and he didn't like that she knew anything. He was hoping that he wouldn't have to see her when he went down to the common room.
After he dressed, he headed down the stairs and saw that she was already sitting on one of the black chairs. She looked up as he walked down.
"Malfoy, I need-"
He didn't even acknowledge her presence, just walked past as if he hadn't heard her utter a word. Heading out the portrait, he heard her let out an annoyed sigh. **Serves her right** he thought. **That damn bitch shouldn't have walked into the fucking bathroom without knocking first**
Hermione was pissed off indeed. She had only wanted to talk to him and see if he was alright. ^^Of course he's not alright!^^ she thought. ^^How could he be with a gash like that across his back? I feel so terrible. I want to apologize to him, but does he care.NO!^^
She got up and walked out the portrait a few minutes after Draco had gone and headed down to the Great Hall. Ron and Harry were already there and stuffing there faces-what else is new?
"'Morning," she said half-heartedly as she plopped down in a seat across from them.
"What's up with you this morning?" Ron questioned skeptically.
"Problems with Ferret Boy?" Harry asked. "Want me to beat him up for you? I will. I don't want him giving you any shit."
"I'm fine, guys. Don't worry about it. Malfoy's just being himself." She looked across the Hall and met Malfoy's icy grey eyes. He sneered at her and turned back to his two gay companions while Hermione turned to hers. "Gods I hate him."
"And guess what we have first?" Ron asked. They both looked at him questioningly and he said, "Potions, with the Slytherins. This is just great! I love them so much!"
"Hey, I thought you loved me," Harry said defensively.
"I was joking. Of course I love you, Harry."
Hermione cringed mentally. Still, after two years, she couldn't handle it when they got all mushy on her. Part of her thought it was sweet that they had been able to be so open with each other and not lie, but another part of her couldn't get over the fact that they were homosexual.
Draco couldn't bare the pain in his back, but he still wouldn't let anyone see how much pain he was in. He continued to joke around with the Slytherins and make everything seem normal. As he was making fun of Granger, he dared to shoot a look across the Hall at her, and his cold gaze met her annoyed brown eyes. Almost as quickly as he glanced at her, he looked away again.
"I can't stand that stupid Mudblood bitch," he continued. "She's always bugging me and everything about her annoys the hell outta me. This year, I'm gunna embarrass her. I'll prove to her that purebloods are superior to Mudbloods. I'll tear her heart out." The Slytherins all seemed to think it was a brilliant idea and they nodded in agreement.
"Drakie, that is such a great idea. I could always help you if you want," Pansy said.
"Shut the fuck up!" he said. Her voice was so annoying, and he hated everything about her.
"Why are you being so mean to me lately? I thought you loved me," she responded and folded her arms defiantly over her chest.
"That's really funny, Parkinson. When did I ever love you? I simply went to the dance with you because no one else was available. Now, kindly take your disgusting hands off of me. Greatly appreciated, thanks."
The timetables were soon passed around and Draco saw that he had Potions first with the Gryffindors and that just made him even more pissed off. "Every fucking year for seven years it's been the same thing. The fucking Gryffindors ruin everything in that class. I hate losing time that we could be using to make our potions due to the fact that Snape always has to correct their stupid mistakes because they don't bother to follow directions the first time."
The entire Slytherin table, including the first years, knew not to bother Draco when he was ticked off. They knew he would explode if you said something to offend him. Hell, he would explode even if you didn't offend him. He just had a very short temper and didn't get along well with others.
After breakfast, the seventh year Slytherins and Gryffindors headed down to the dungeons for another fun-filled Potions lesson.
"Ugh, I hate having this first period with them," Ron said angrily.
"Chill out, Ron," Hermione answered. "Just try not to lose your head over anything stupid and we'll be fine. I hope that we're not being paired up today. I am not in the mood to make a potion with a Slytherin."
"Why, Granger? Do you have a problem with us?" came the cold, drawling voice of none other than Draco Malfoy.
"No, Malfoy. I just have a problem with you," she answered him coolly.
"And pray tell, just why is that, Mudblood?"
"That for one, and the fact that you're a cold-hearted asshole."
"Is that all? I was sure you would be able to come up with a better reason than that. Boy, I am disappointed."
"Leave her alone, Malfoy," Harry spat.
"And why should I listen to you, Queer?"
"Because you know I can take you, and you wouldn't want me to mess up your precious face, now would you?"
"Good one, Potthead, good one."
As soon as the classroom door opened, the students all filed in and took the same seats that they had been sitting in for the past six years. Professor Snape came in shortly after and everyone became immediately silent.
"Today we will be taking notes. I am hoping for no interruptions today because I am not in a particularly good mood. Do not say something you will regret." He began lecturing the class about some of the new ingredients they would be using that year.
Ron and Harry kept passing love notes to each other and Hermione kept rolling her eyes at them and praying that they wouldn't be caught.
Snape kept glancing in their direction like he thought they were doing something wrong, but they would pretend to be writing furiously when they saw his gaze turn to them.
Draco glanced across the room and saw Hermione glanced in his direction. He sneered at her and she turned back around to face the front of the room. Wondering what had possessed her to look at him, he scribbled a note and threw it in front of her.
Hermione opened it up and it read.
What are you looking at, Mudblood? Why don't you just keep your eyes on Snape Because your gaze makes me feel dirty.
She shook her head and scribbled a note back to Malfoy. He was surprised that she had actually got it to land in front of him.
Actually, Ferret Boy, I was just wondering, Do you always act like a complete jackass? Or does it just come naturally?
Once again, he scribbled an answer and threw it back at Hermione. Both were glad that Snape hadn't caught them yet, but feared that he eventually would.
It's one of those things that just comes naturally. Thanks for asking. Oh do you think I can borrow your notes later? I forgot to take them.
Hermione gave him a threatening look, but he gave her a puppy dog face and she couldn't resist. Before she wrote back, however, she couldn't help but wonder why he hadn't taken notes. Potions had always been his best class, and she had known that he always taken notes before.
Yeah, sure. I'll give them to you in the common room. If you don't mind me asking though, How come you didn't take notes today? You always do. What's going on?
She threw it back to him and a slightly perplexed look crossed his face. He didn't know whether he should tell her the real reason or give her the reason that she was probably expecting. He decided to give her the reason she had been expecting.
You should know. You saw my back last night. I can't concentrate with the pain that engulfs every part of me.
Hey threw it back to her and watched her carefully. She was jotting down noted between writing to him and she looked like she was concentrating very hard. **She's really pretty when she's working hard** he thought. **Where the hell did that come from? She's a Mudblood. She's not pretty** He was arguing with himself and he didn't like doing that. It made him feel like a schizophrenic and he hated feeling like that.
About that, is there anything at all I can do to help you? As much as I dislike you, I don't like seeing you in that much pain. If there's anything I can do to help let me know.
He was shocked that she had even offered to help her. Although he thought it would be good to have someone to help him out, he wasn't ready to tell anyone what had really happened, and he didn't want anyone's sympathy, especially not a Mudblood's.
"Mr. Malfoy!" Snape called.
"Uh, yes, Professor?"
"Sit up straight, won't you? You know that posture is not acceptable in my class."
"Sorry, Professor," he mumbled and tried to sit straight up, but his back hurt terribly and he had to bit his lip to stop himself from crying out in pain.
"Is there a problem, Mr. Malfoy?"
"None. None at all, Professor," he said through gritted teeth.
"Okay then. Back to the lesson. Mr. Malfoy, I would like a word with you after class."
"Yes, Professor."
He stared down at the piece of parchment that he had been writing to Hermione on and then scribbled a response and threw it back to Hermione.
I'll think about it and talk to you tonight. I have a few things to check up on though.
Hermione nodded to him and continued to take notes for the rest of the period.
After class, when the class filed out, Draco stood up and casually approached his favorite professor. "You wanted to see me, Professor?"
"What's wrong with you?" Snape asked gently. He had always thought of Draco of more like a nephew than anything.
"I'm fine. Why?"
"You're not fine, Draco. I saw the look of pain that crossed your face when you sat up. Did your father hit you again?" Draco remained silent and became interested in the floor. "Why do you insist on protecting him? It will only be harder on you."
"Professor, I'm fine. Look, I can walk and everything just fine."
"I know that you don't like to show when you're in pain. I've known you for seventeen years. Do you think I wouldn't notice when something is wrong?"
"Listen, can we just drop this for now?" Snape nodded once and Draco then asked, "Uh, Professor, can a wound that can't be healed by magic be healed by a muggle remedy?"
"Most of them can be. Why? What happened to you?"
"I-it's no big deal. I was just wondering. Can I have a note for my next teacher so he won't think I was purposely late?"
"Of course. Who's your next teacher?"
"Hagrid."
"If you can even call him a teacher," Snape sneered.
Draco smirked a little and accepted the note gratefully. "Thank you, Professor."
"Not a problem."
Draco walked out of the room and came face to face with Hermione Granger. "What do you want?" he asked irritably.
"Nothing now. Forget it." She turned to walk away, but he pulled her back to him.
"When a Malfoy asks a question, they get a direct answer. I'll ask you again Granger, what do you want?"
"I want you to let go of me so I can get to my next class, which unfortunately happens to Care of Magical Creatures with you."
"That's not what I meant, Mudblood. Why did you wait for me? Don't Potthead and Weasel realize your missing yet?"
"I don't care. I only waited for you to give you my notes. I'm deciding to give them to you now so I can study them tonight." She pulled four pieces of parchment out of her bag and handed them to him.
"Gods, can you take more notes? It'll take me the entirety of lunch to copy all of these!" She began to walk away and up the stairs. "I know that's not the only thing you wanted," he said while taking a few long strides to catch up with her.
"I wanted to know if you were alright, okay?"
"Yeah. I'm fine."
"I know your not, so don't pull that bullshit with me. What the hell happened to your back?"
Draco looked at her and to him it looked like she really did care. "I'll tell you later. I can't be seen talking to a Mudblood in public."
"Fuck you, Malfoy. You know what, I don't think I'm gunna help you now. You're a self-centered bastard who gets everything he wants. I can't stand pricks like you. It's because of people like you that this world is in such a state of chaos." She doubled her pace to try and get ahead of him, but he caught up quickly.
"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" She shrugged her shoulders and continued walking. "You better answer me, Granger."
"Or what, Malfoy? You'll call your daddy? I'm not afraid of you and I'm not afraid of him. You two are both psychopaths. How the hell can you be so damn cruel all the time?"
They reached the Entrance Hall, and instead of heading outside for class, Hermione went up the stairs. "Where are you going, Mudblood? We have class to get to."
"I'm not going right now, Ferret Boy. I'll talk to Hagrid later. He won't mind if I miss a class anyway; I am his best student."
"Where are you going then?"
"Where do you think? Gods, Malfoy, you really are dense sometimes."
"I try."
Hermione let out an exasperated sigh and opened the eagle statue that guarded their common room. She walked in and plopped down on the nearest sofa. Draco sat across from her and stared at her intently.
"What do you want, Malfoy?"
"I want you to help me."
"Hold on a minute! Weren't you just like what two seconds ago calling me a Mudblood? Now you want my help? I don't know, Ferret Boy. I'll have to think about that now."
"But you said before."
"That was before, this is now. I wasn't thinking before and I felt a bit bad for you. I'm not so sure I do now." She glared at him icily.
"Please?"
She continued to look at him, but her glare softened a little and she realized how desperate he really was. His eyes were pleading with her and she could truly see how much pain he was in. He was sitting in the same position he had been in on the train and he looked so vulnerable.
"Okay. But there are two things you have to do for me because I will deserve it."
"Anything."
"Number one, before I do anything, you tell me what happened. Number two, you don't call me Mudblood anymore-it's getting very old."
"I can deal with that."
They reached out and shook hands.