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CHAPTER FORTY SIX: Red Dragon

Once the gloves were switched and a thank you kiss exchanged, Draco led Hermione down the stairs, holding a hand protectively against the small of her back. She looked around the stadium, which was more than half empty. Quite a few people still remained resting before a tiring journey home. Curiously, Hermione turned to Draco.

"You know, Draco, we don't have to leave right away. Reif isn't coming back, you can rest a while if you want to. I don't mind. I was reading one of your apparation packets and it said that some people experience severe exhaustion after apparating, especially if it's double," she said worriedly, causing Draco to smile and give her a quick kiss.

"That's sweet of you, love, but think about it; I'm not one of those people," he said, smiling. Hermione playfully rolled her eyes.

"Is this another Malfoys-have-no-weakness things?" she asked suspiciously and Draco laughed.

"No, this is one of those look-at-the-facts-and-it's-obvious things. I apparated you... I don't even know how many thousands of miles, then back, then about three hundred to my house, then six back to the castle and still had enough energy to grope you. I think I'll be alright," he reminded her and Hermione looked thoughtful.

"I never thought of it that way," she said, then paused. "And would you stop beating yourself up about that? I think we've more than made up for whatever we couldn't do that night, so just get over it, okay? I hate it when you're all 'everything is my fault and I hate me.'" Hermione tied her arms around him and squeezed Draco tight.

"Aren't we being a bit hypocritical?" he asked with a smirk and Hermione shook her head.

"No. Even if you won't admit it, if it weren't for me, none of that stuff would have happened. Reif, Zane, and Snape were after ME. *I* misunderstood your intentions in your garden and when we were flying. *I* was too dense to notice the sick infatuation with me held by the older brother of my best friend, which in turn caused your dreams. *I* used my telepathy to piss you off... and *I* gave you that sandwich. If I were someone else... say, Ginny, none of that would have happened." Draco groaned.

"Mia, must we fight about this? I already told you; you're a goddess surrounded by gits. It's illogical to blame all that on you. Yes, if you were Ginny most of that wouldn't have happened, but there would have been just as many problems, if not more." Hermione leaned her head on his shoulder.

"I guess..." Draco kissed the top of her head and walked in silence for a few minutes. As much as he tried to put the previous events out of his mind, Flagg's words kept repeating in his head ** She was a good shag, too. Much better than Muddy here...**. Had Hermione really slept with him? Draco wondered why she hadn't said anything about it before... when she'd told him about Zane. When Hermione reached up to place a gentle kiss on his cheek, Draco opened his mouth, and made a big mistake.

"Did you sleep with Flagg?" Hermione stopped abruptly, eyes a little wide. "Damn..." he whispered. "I'm sorry; pretend I didn't say that."

"No, it's okay. You deserve to know, really..." She took a breath. "Yes, it is quite possible that I slept with Reif. Or I slept and he fucked me. I don't really remember... I know Zane did, and Reif was there... but I passed out before they left. Anything could have happened."

"Hermione, I..." Draco started, but she shook her head.

"How do you know him?" Draco frowned.

"He's a death eater... Lucius let him... 'visit' with my mother... on several occasions." Hermione looked grave. She could only imagine the torment that poor woman had had to endure... what she'd gotten was nothing. Zane wasn't even a wizard... she shuddered.

"I'm so sorry, Draco," she whispered and Draco kissed her head. "Can we talk about something else?"

"Most definitely."

* * * * * * * * * *

"Hermione, love, you've been cleaning for three hours and, as much as I love you, I have to say that it's getting quite annoying. You're not even using magic; is there a reason for this madness?" asked Draco as he leaned against the doorway of her room. Hermione emerged from below her bed, face flushed and bun messy, small pieces of lint caught in her hair and clothes.

"What? It's only been three hours? Ugh!" she said, flopping down on her crimson berth. "I cleaned my room, messed it up again, then cleaned it a second time and it's only been three hours?"

"Alright, now I'm definitely confused. Why would you do that?" Draco asked her, looking as he claimed to be. Hermione sat up.

"Because; everyone comes back tomorrow, and I'm restless... and excited... and nervous... and..."

"Scared?" Draco provided and Hermione hesitated before nodding slowly.

"But I don't know why, because it doesn't matter, I don't care," she added, sounding as if she were trying to convince herself more than him.

"Yes you do, and so do I. It's okay to care, Mia," Draco told her and Hermione nodded again, wringing her hands. Slowly she began rocking back and forth.

"But nothing's going to change, right? I don't want anything to change, Draco," she said and Draco sighed, straightening and moving toward the bed.

"Mia, I wish I could tell you what you want to hear, but I think we both know that it's not true," he said softly as he sat down. Hermione closed her eyes sadly, but Draco smiled and lifted her chin. "But that's not necessarily bad. For everything to be the same, you'd have to go back to hating me, Harry and Ron will go back to being complete gits, and Snape will be potions master again. Is that what you want?" he said and Hermione shook her head.

"No, of course not. I don't want us to change, Draco. What we've made this summer... I don't want to lose that... I can't lose that," she said, her voice growing quiet. Draco laughed.

"Is that what you're worried about? Mia, I still love you, you know. Just because there are a few more people in the room, it doesn't mean I feel any less," he told her and Hermione looked up.

"Promise?" she asked and Draco smiled.

"Mia, you're so innocent; it's adorable," he said, causing Hermione to smile, then kissed her softly. "I promise." Draco opened his arms and Hermione smiled, accepting his embrace. There was a happy silence for a moment, but Hermione broke it by speaking something unexpected.

"Can I clean your room?" Draco laughed.

"What?" Hermione pulled back and slid off the bed, onto her knees.

"Please? I can't do mine again, I'll explode, but I'll freak if I try to sit still. Please, Ace? That disaster area will take me three hours in itself. Please?" Hermione begged on her knees to an amusedly smirking Draco.

"You sound like my mother.... except for that whole begging to clean my room thing." Hermione stuck out her lip and Draco sighed. "That room is as much yours as mine anymore, Mia. If it will make you feel better, you can do whatever the hell you want to it," he said and Hermione smiled widely.

"So that means I can redecorate in colors which will match those mittens of mine you love so much?" she asked sweetly and Draco looked horrified.

"I take that back; let me rephrase. You can do whatever you want to my room as long as there is no physical changing of any of my stuff. Agreed?" he asked and Hermione giggled.

"Alright, agreed," she said and Draco nodded.

"Go ahead, then," he said and Hermione squealed. She stood, gave him a very nice goodbye kiss, and ran out her door on a course for his room. Draco shook his head at her and stood to go back to the common room.

* * * * * * * * * *

Draco had been reading in the common room, scolding whatever told him to agree to let Hermione wreak havoc on his room, for the last two hours. Periodically, a noise from behind the closed door would cause him to look up, but the amused giggles of one Hermione Granger allowed him to smile and look back down.

Fifteen minutes after they would normally have left for dinner, Hermione finally opened the door. Draco looked up with a smile and Hermione giggled. She was now wearing a black bandana to hold back her hair, red shorts, and...

"Is that my shirt?" he asked suspiciously and Hermione looked quickly to her clothing, then nodded with a grin.

"I liked it and I didn't want to lose it," she explained and Draco shook his head.

"But it's okay to lose it if you don't like it?"

"Yeah, but don't worry; I stuck to our deal. Everything is intact, and accounted for, just because I'm nice," she said, sauntering toward him with her hands behind her back. The shirt she had infiltrated was a dark gray and bore a Chinese red dragon on the front, which normally breathed pictured fire, but it had gotten annoying and Hermione stopped it with a charm.

"Gee, thanks. So, have you gotten this attack of my mother thing out of your system yet?" Draco asked and she laughed.

"Not really, but I'm hungry and I'm finished, so I guess I'll take a break. Oh," she said, interrupting herself with a giggle. "Dumbledore called. He wants to meet us after dinner," she told him and Draco laughed.

"What did he say about you being in my room?"

"Nothing, really, except that he needed to make some arrangements about something. Anyway, are you coming or not?" she asked impatiently and Draco put down his book.

"Yes, yes... I'm coming."

* * * * * * * * * *

"You wanted to see us, Professor?" Hermione asked as they entered Dumbledore's office.

"Oh, yes, Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy. Please, have a seat; I wish to speak with you about your training," he explained and the Head Boy and Girl shared a look before moving to sit in the conference chairs. "I assume you've both looked through the information I have provided?" Dumbledore asked, leaning forward and smiling. Both teens groaned.

"Extensively," Draco informed him and Hermione nodded in agreement.

"Very well. Your schedules have all of your training classes already marked out. Miss Granger, you will be trained by Professor McGonagall and will sit in on her classes. Mr. Malfoy, you will do the same with Madam Hooch. Do you have any questions?" Draco looked at Hermione.

"Don't look at me, you're the one who wouldn't let me finish that list, and now I can't remember any of them," she said amusedly and Draco turned back to Dumbledore and shrugged.

"I guess not, Professor," he said and Dumbledore laughed.

"Alright. Come with me, if you will, and I will show you some landmarks you'll be visiting rather frequently," he said and stood, walking toward the door. Draco and Hermione quickly followed behind, allowing the headmaster to lead them wherever he wished.

* * * * * * * * * *

The trio walked through many a corridor, showing no intention of slowing, and Draco was getting impatient.

"Where do you think we're going? He asked Hermione in a whisper, letting his palm brush against hers. She smiled.

"I don't know, but I hope we get there soon. If we're supposed to be going to this place all the time, it'd be nice if it wasn't twenty miles from the common room," Hermione answered, taking his hand and quietly kissing his cheek. Draco nodded in agreement just as Dumbledore stopped and turned around, wearing his trademark twinkles behind those iron frames.

"Miss Granger, this will be your classroom for next fall's semester," Dumbledore told them, turning to open the door behind him. Hermione's eyes widened as she looked past him and into a circular room with windows for walls, half of which were covered with shelves of books. The room was devoid of all furniture except a large empty desk and a portable blackboard.

"Wow," she said in awe, stepping through the door and gently pulling Draco behind her. Hermione walked around the outside of the room, looking at and trying to take in everything.

"Will this suffice, Miss Granger?" the headmaster asked and Hermione nodded enthusiastically, not speaking as she continued to pull a grinning Draco about the large room. "Good, good. Come now; I will allow you to return later if you wish," he said and turned down the hall again. Hermione blinked and backed slowly toward the doorway, her eyes still taking in her surroundings. Draco smiled, amused at her expression, and followed her back out into the hall. A kiss brought her back to reality and Hermione smiled at Draco before pulling him to catch up with Dumbledore.

"Well," she said with a big grin. "Now we know where we're going." Draco laughed.

"That's very true," he said and gave her a happy kiss. Draco couldn't help but be a little excited. Chances are, next stop would be his classroom. Hermione seemed fairly intrigued as well; she kept looking up at him and smiling, radiating happiness as she energetically walked along the corridor. Then, just down the hall and around the corner, Dumbledore stopped again.

"As you may have expected, Mr. Malfoy, this will be your classroom." He said and again opened the door. Inside was more like a lounge than a room for teaching. There was one large table surrounded by eight chairs, a filing cabinet, and a chalkboard, but the rest of the classroom was decoratively furnished with couches and chairs, paintings, and tapestries. In the center of one of the walls was a wooden door and Draco looked at it curiously.

"Professor," he asked as Hermione went about exploring his room in a similar fashion to her own. "Where does that door lead to?"

"Ah," said Dumbledore. "This, Mr. Malfoy, is how you will be teaching your students. Once they know the basics, simply lead the students into this room," he said, opening the door. Inside was a very unwelcoming room with gray stonewalls and a hard cement floor. There were no windows, simply a torch and a mirror to reflect it. "Not the most favorable of habitats, but this helps with motivation. If the student does not want to be where they are, it is more probably that they will leave."

Draco nodded and stepped into the room, looking alertly at everything. Hermione, who had not liked the look of things on the other side, stayed behind. Dumbledore smiled as he slammed the door shut behind the Slytherin. Hermione gasped slightly at the sound and raised a hand to her mouth, watching the door intently. She wanted her Draco back out of there; she didn't trust that room.

"Boo!" said a voice from behind her and Hermione jumped severely, then turned to see a laughing Draco as the voice's owner. She playfully pushed his chest.

"Draco! You could have used the door like a normal person, but no; never miss an opportunity to scare me half to death!" she scolded and Draco smiled at her.

"Sorry, Mia," he said and quickly kissed behind her ear. "I would have used the door, but there wasn't one... which is wonderful, by the way, Professor. Adds to the uncomfortable atmosphere. Perfect."

"I agree, Mr. Malfoy. The door does indeed disappear as it is closed and can only be reopened from the outside," said Dumbledore proudly.

"Isn't that a bit dangerous, sir? I could name a few sixth years I wouldn't put it past to lock in some of the younger students," Hermione pointed out and Dumbledore smiled.

"That has already been taken care of, Miss Granger. If a person is in that room for more than ten minutes and is nervous or scared, this wall will temporarily disappear, allowing the person to simply walk back into this room," he told her and she nodded.

"Professor," said Draco, "Wasn't that a two way mirror in there?"

"Indeed it was, Mr. Malfoy. Astute observation." Dumbledore took a step forward and Hermione and Draco moved to the side to let him pass. The headmaster stopped in front of a medium sized paining of an ocean, just to the side of the door, and pulled on the left rim of the frame. The painting opened to reveal a window into the apparation chamber. "For safety purposes. If a student faints, they won't feel the needed emotions and the wall will not open."

A strange sound was heard from the far corner of the room and all three heads turned to face it. Hermione laughed. There, on the wall, was a classic Felix the cat clock, complete with tail pendulum and moving eyes. The strange purring signaled the arrival of eight o'clock.

"Oh," said Dumbledore as he closed the painting. "I must be going; I'll be late for my meeting with Professor McGonagall. If you wish to explore, be my guest and do have fun. Behind that tapestry is the door to your common room. You will find a similar one in your classroom, Miss Granger. I shall see you both tomorrow," he said and left through the door before they could say anything.

Draco turned to Hermione, who was looking through the once again open painting and into the chamber. She shook her head.

"That little room creeps me out," she said and Draco nodded.

"It's supposed to. When you're just learning, it helps to feel some strong emotion; fear and frustration are the easiest to conjure. It's alright, love, there really isn't anything to be afraid of," he said, coming up behind her and brushing his cheek against her temple. Hermione smiled and leaned back into him slightly, closing her eyes as his arms encircled her. The two stayed that way, both quite comfortable, for a moment, then Draco kissed the end of her jawbone and pulled away, taking her hand and stepping toward the door. Hermione opened her eyes, but kept her smile.

"Where are we going?" she asked contentedly, moving to follow him.

"You're classroom, of course. You think I'd give up a perfectly good opportunity to decorate a room just to hang out in a creepy little cell? Right," he said and rolled his eyes, then smiled and kissed her. Hermione laughed and followed him down the hall.

* * * * * * * * * *

"Alright, Mr. Martha Steward, what do you plan on changing? The only wall not a window is covered in books, which will not change, mind you. I need those books; I am teaching literature, after all," Hermioen said as they stood in her classroom, surveying the scene.

"Well, you need desks," Draco said, but Hermione shook her head and pointed to the crate next to her desk which was labled 'LapDesk cnt. 25'. "Okay, so you're going to make your kids sit on the floor? You'll be the chiropractor's favorite professor," he said smartly and Hermione sighed.

"No, of course not. I need something to transfigure, then. Maybe I should go get some rocks or something," she suggested, looking out the window at the greenhouses.

"Mia, if you make an apple out of a teacup, it's going to taste like a teacup. If you make a chari out of a rock, it's going to feel like a rock."

"Fine, so I need something softer, then," she said, thinking for a moment, then her mouth turned up into a smirk, eyes glittering at Draco.

"I don't like that look," he said nervously and Hermione lifted her hand. "What are you doing?" She didn't answer, but flicked her hand, then held out her palm. "Ow...ow...ow..."Draco said as, one by one, twenty five hairs jumped from his head and into Hermione's hand. "Now that was just plain cruel," he said sourly and rubbed his scalp. Hermione gave him a pouty look, then threw the hairs into the air, flicking her hand and arranging them on the floor. With a few more finger flicks, each of Draco's hairs sprouted into a silvery and quite comfortable looking chair.

"There. Now I have nice soft chairs," she said happily.

"Yeah," Draco said grouchily, "And I have a bald spot."

"Oh, don't be such a baby. It was only twenty five hairs; you lose more than that in a day," Hermione said, moving the chairs into a circle with her hand.

"Well, I will today. You could have used cat hair or something," he told her and Hermione smiled as she stepped closer.

"Some people are allergic to cat hair," she said innocently as she drew her arms around his neck. Draco smiled and moved his lips a little closer.

"What if someone's allergic to MY hair?" he asked smartly and Hermione smiled.

"Then I pity them," she said. "I love your hair." Draco moved even closer, his lips almost touching hers as he spoke.

"You could have just asked, you know. I would have given you all the hair you wanted," he whispered and Hermione giggled slightly.

"Yes... but if I had done that, you wouldn't be so close to kissing me right now, would you?"

"No, I suppose that's true," he agreed and Hermione closed her eyes, waiting for the warm an dfamiliar feel of his lips on hers. Draco, however, had other plans; he lifted his head away and stepped slightly backward. Hermione opened her eyes and knit her brow in confusion. Draco let out an amused laugh at her innocent and clueless pout. "Well, why should you be rewarded for stealing my second most prized possession?" Hermione blinked, then smiled, moving close again.

"Just think of it as me making it up to you," she said suggestively and Draco playfully pushed her away again. "Do not attempt to defy me, grasshopper. You can not resist me; you will NOT win," she declared and Draco smiled.

"Oh, really?" he asked and tuned toward the door. Hermione crossed her arms over her chest.

"Draco!" she called, wining. The tall blonde laughed and turned back, swiftly sweeping Hermione into a passionate kiss.

She had been expecting it, but this kiss startled her. It was different thant he warma nd happy kisss they usually shared; this kiss was cool and refreshing... energetic and amazing. The cosset of lips still held an element of style only possessed by Draco Malfoy; she knew she could be blindfolded in a room with a hundred men and know it was he who was kissing her. Hermione let out a small moan of both pleasure and surprise and leaned in, pushing her head up and wanting more. There was silence for a moment as they parted, but Hermione smirked and broke it.

"I TOLD you," she said and he laughed, then kissed her again.

"You're right, Circe. I can't resist you and you know it," he said, kissed the tip of her nose and turned back toward the door only to be anchored by the dainty hand in his.

"Where are you going?" Hermione asked curiously and Draco smiled.

"I'm going to go survey the damage done to our room; care to join me?"

"Of course, but I want to use the tapestry. Number one reason; I have no idea how to get anywhere from here," she said and Draco nodded.

"Right. I'd forgotten all about that," he said, then smiled. "I'm lucky to have such an ingenious little Gryffindor aournt to help me out, hm?" Hermione tried to keep a straight face, but the seductive smirk on Draco's lips caused her to gush giggles.

"I'm not even going to pretend that that wasn't the corniest thing I've ever heard," she said and pulled him toward the tapestry.

"Wait," Draco said as he followed her. "I though tyou like that stuff. If I had known you didn't, I wouldn't say half the things I do," he continued and Hermione spun to look at him.

"What do you mean?" she asked curiously, her eyes searching his for something. Draco could tell she was on the brink of being hurt and his mind went haywire thinking of a way to get out of this.

"Which doesn't mean tat any of it is untrue, simply that I wouldn't say it," he said with a winning smile and Hermione weakly replied with one of her own.

"Yeah, sure. And I do like it... but that one was just terrible," she said and turned to move aside the tapestry. "You know, if I WAS Circe, I could turn you back into a ferret."

"See if I ever eat your cooking again," Draco said and Hermione giggled, opened the door, and stepped into the common room.

"Go ahead and check; I promise-nothing's pink," she swore and Draco smiled, then kissed her before leaving to check his assets. "And just so you know," Hermione said as she moved toward the bathroom. "I am NOT giving this shirt back," she finished, hugging the red dragon.

"Yes you damn well will," Draco said playfully and Hermione smiled.

"Make me." He stuck out his tongue.

"Maybe later."

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A/N: Sorry, I don't feel like doing PRFs. Oh, COME ON! It's only like the second time I've slacked off. Do you want another chapter or not? Geez. xoP