Chapter 2 Caught In The Act

Malfoy was poring over his Muggle Studies homework. It was the only subject which he found incomprehensible. Maybe it came from his attitude towards muggle world, but he just couldn't understand how it exists without any magic power. In fact, he was going to give up his homework, but for sure the teacher would get points from Slytherin, and besides his father. Why did he want him to suffer this humiliation, to study this unworthy mean subject? He must have his own purpose. But the son was going to fail the study, and his father would punish him. Draco looked over books. Then, a flash of hope glimpsed to him. Of course she would help him. - Hey Granger! Hermione looked at him surprised. -What do you want? - she raised an eyebrow. - Well, you're a mud. I mean to say a muggle, so you know this muggle doings. Hermione nodded: - Of course! But how possibly does it matter to you? - I wonder if you would . if you'd like. - he braced himself and expressed himself clearly: - Can you help me? It was the most unexpected and astonishing thing the girl had heard in her whole life. - You want me to help you to do the homework? - qualified she. - Well, actually yes, I mean if you could.. - Malfoy felt his cheeks burning. But Hermione didn't want to make it more difficult fir him. - Certainly! - said she - So what's your problem now? -We started learning the muggle means of communication, and the professor has explained us how tele. how te-le-pho-ne works, but I understood not a word. - You need to study physics to understand how the phone works. - To study what? -Malfoy looked so idiotic that Hermione couldn't help laughing. - Physics, it's a muggle science.

By the end of the day, Malfoy knew everything what was possible to know about telephone communication, and even about the cell-phone, and he was greatly impressed by the muggles' ingenuity. Indeed, it will be difficult to fight with them, thought he unwillingly. And he was greatly impressed by Hermione's teaching talent; she could explain everything so clearly, that he managed to get everything. But Malfoy wouldn't have been true himself if he had shown a bit if his appreciation. - Enough, I've got it, - was the only thing he said. Hermione reckoned it to be his thanks. Maybe he is not as bad as he tries to look? But it was too good to be true.

Next evening Hermione was free - it was Malfoy's turn to watch the school. So she'd planned a nice evening with her Gryffindor friends. - Going somewhere? - asked Malfoy in imperious tone. Hermione disliked the question and the tone and answered sharply: - None of your business. And went out. "She must have gone to see Potter", thought Malfoy, and somehow disgusted this idea. He slid out of the room and slunk after Hermione. She went straight to the Gryffindors' common room and stayed there. After waiting for a while Draco went patrolling school.

Since Hermione had to live in the Prefects' room, the Gryffindor common room seemed to her almost like home, and she was glad to spend there her out of duty time. She helped the new Gryffindors with their homework, and due to her efforts they always got most points. And besides, two boys and the muggle-born girl reminded her strongly of herself , Harry and Ron in their first year. Now, she would give the world to turn back the happy carefree time. But it would never be the same. Their children's friendship broke down facing the tragedy of the real life. Ron. Ron would never be the same, the lively funny boy who desired to be famous, to outdo his brothers. She knew that he would never be able to forgive Harry, although it wasn't his fault that Ginny had loved him, that she went after him in order to safe him just like he had safe her, but perished. Ron would never be able to forgive Hermione, because she preferred Harry to him. Well, they talked to each other - that was good enough, but Hermione didn't have trust in him anymore. She couldn't explain this weird feeling, but she just couldn't look straight into his eyes, since Jinni's death. Ron always hid his eyes, and he looked furtive and shifty. Hermione didn't like this look of him, but she didn't want to bother Harry with her observation. The boys barely spoke to each other anyway. To talk of the devil and he is sure to appear. Hermione has just thought of Ron and there he sat in the common room. - Harry is not here, - said he by way of a greeting. - I just wanted to see Mary, Alex and Dickie,- that were her first-year- pets. - Out as well.- cut Ron short. - Won't you mind if I wait for them here? - Hermione didn't feel like turning back to her room. - I don't care. - snapped the boy unfriendly. - Want to talk? - asked Hermione conciliatory. - Do I look like? - barked Ron. He stood up, took the book he had been reading and intended to go. - No really, Ron, your awkward age lasts too long! Don't you think it's time to give up your childish behaviour? He measured her with a strange look. - You know, maybe you are right, - muttered he in an icy tone which made Hermione shiver, and immediately left. Hermione felt just like with Malfoy. The only difference was that she knew what expect from Malfoy, but she couldn't guess what expect from Ron since he'd changed . The portrait hole flung open, and a cheerful crew appeared - it was nobody else but the first years. - Hi, Hermione! We were watching Harry by Quidditch! Bloody brilliant! The guy can fly! - chattered they interrupting each other. - Well, well, well, but where is the hero himself? - she stopped their exalted ejaculation. - Who is the hero? - it was Harry who entered the common room. - Glad to see you, Herm! He embraced and kissed her. They had nothing to hide from their little friends. Not from them. - Harry, please, teach me to fly like you! - begged the trio. - Please! Please! - No, it's impossible! I can't stand it any longer! - Harry tried to sound annoyed, but he didn't managed. They knew too well that he was just pretending to be bothered. - Let's go somewhere! - suggested Hermione. - Nice idea! - agreed Harry. - Children, be good! - demanded he jokingly. Indeed , he loved that smart trio. They made him forget his troubles for a short while. But only for a short while. Another thing was Hermione. With her he could discuss his problems, although not all of them. There were some points, which he might discuss only with Dumbledore, or with aurors, and those were really dark things. He just couldn't bring himself to talk about it with her. He just couldn't tell her that Voldemort was going to extirpate all muggle-born wizards, because they would help the Muggles to resist his will to dominate all life. But the Muggles were doomed as well. They were meant to be slaves, and the refractory spirits must be destroyed. But she could have guessed it. The only thing he would never dare to say her was that "Hermione Granger, the mudblood" was name number three in Voldemort's death list, after Harry and Dumbledore. Even Sirius had the lower position, number four. Harry knew it from his nightmares. And he wanted to spare her this horror. As to himself, due to Dumbledore, he learned to keep his temper, to be patient and wait, wait, wait. Wait for the very moment when he will manage it. Will he?.

Draco slowly walked through the dark school passages. He was thinking about the Head Girl. Of course she was a mudblood, but she was much better than some Slytherin purebloods, take this stupid cow Bulstrode. He shouldn't think like this, stopped he his train of thoughts. None mudblood can compare with pureblood wizards. A faint sound attracted his attention. It was very quiet, but he knew the sort of noise well. He used to be with girls, well, tête-à-tête. He grinned. Now he was going to show his powers as a Head Boy. He slightly opened the door to a deserted classroom. But what he saw made him freeze on the spot. He hadn't expected to see what he had discovered. In the deserted classroom was nothing except for a large table. And right on this table there were Harry and Hermione making love and noticing nothing at all. The look of Hermione's naked body made his blood run faster. He eyed greedily her slender feet, her flat belly, her full breast. But the marvellous view was badly marred up by the boy who partly covered this beauty. "Damn Potter. But what a nice chance", - thought Malfoy. Suddenly he thought better of it. He wanted her so badly - he would get her. Willing or not. Better willing. He didn't want to spoil the pleasure with screams or faints. No, he was definitely against violence in the matters of sex. Not with Hermione. He slowly raised his wand, pointed it at Harry and uttered: "Petrificus Totalus!" Harry fell right on the stony floor, Hermione gasped terrified. - Tut tut tut.. Shame on you, miss Head Girl. - Draco stepped out of the shadow. - The best student of the school doing such things. I think my direct duty is to inform our dear Headmaster Mr. Fudge about this incident; don't you think so, Ms Granger? Hermione, who tried to cover her nudity, turned very white. - No, please, Malfoy, don't! - squealed she. - Why not? You are breaking thousand rules and besides.. - Don't do it Malfoy! - You know, I'm really very sorry for you, - he made a nasty grin. - So I have a suggestion.. Hermione turned even more paler though it seemed impossible. - What do you want from me? - stammered she. - Just the same thing you were doing here with Potter. - How dare you! You slimy git! You scum! You.. He interrupted her: - Stop it, Granger, or I can change my mind! And I've never thought you are so selfish! Of course you may loose this honorable position, but think just a little about Potter! Well, if I tell everything Fudge, you know, I've got the impression, that he won't protect the famous Boy-Who-Lived. I really believe that he is eager to find any reason to expel him. And I'm pretty sure you know what will happen right then, don't you? Or you want Potter dead? - Malfoy, how can you be so. so. - but she couldn't find any words - Think about it, Granger. I'll be awaiting you tomorrow at, we'll see, at 11 pm. - Where? - asked Hermione in a colourless tone. - Of course in our room, I mean in my bedroom. And if you won't appear at 5 past 11 I'll go straight to Fudge and tell him everything. Well, and don't be afraid - I promise to be gentle! - He smirked and turned to leave. - Put at least him right! - blurted Hermione, pointing on Harry. Malfoy laughed: - I indeed wonder how are you reputed to be the best Hogwarts' student! - he pointed his wand at Harry: "Partium Obliviatum!" - Now he won't remember anything what's just happened. And if I were you I wouldn't tell him. He might not like the idea. - And with the nastiest of his smirks Malfoy left. Hermione took her wand and uttered "Finite Incantatem!" She managed to put away the wand before Harry opened his eyes. - What's wrong with me, Herm? I passed out? Hermione, who barely managed to keep her tears, nodded. - And what's wrong with you? - he put his hands round her neck. - Oh Harry! I was so afraid for you! It was terrible! But her mind was racing: "Don't tell him! Don't tell him! It will kill him!"

Harry turned onto his common room from his date rather down. However hard he tried, he still couldn't remember what had happened before he fainted. In the common room he found Ron, obviously waiting for him. - Harry, - Ron rose from the arm-chair, - I need to talk to you. Harry was surprised. He hadn't really talked to Ron for months. - Why? - managed to ask he. - I can explain. If you would listen. - said Ron quiet. - But. - Ron looked around - not here. They came to the Quidditch training field. Ron stood, apparently not knowing where to start from. - You know Harry, after Jinni had died I was not myself. - Yeah, I've noticed, - put in Harry. - Please don't interrupt me - Ron flushed. - Or I'll never say it. Harry looked anxious. -What's wrong? - Nothing, I just wanted... Just wonder. Will you forgive me? - For what ? - wondered Harry. - I've been unjust to you. It's not your fault. It's war, mum's right. - He swallowed. Harry was silent. - I mean. what if . we could be . friends again? - asked Ron hesitatingly. Harry didn't know if he should believe his ears. It was so hard for him to be ajar. Still Ron used to be his friend. His first and only friend. Except for Hermione of course. And he couldn't help exclaiming: - Sure! Of course! If you really forgive me. - Harry, I was an obstinate fool! - said Ron heartily and hugged Harry. - Ron, I'm so glad that you. that we. Well. that it's all over now, but let's go, we are not supposed to stay outside. - Just a moment Harry. - Ron hesitated. - Yeah? - Take this! - Ron reached him a kind of amulet, a dark stone on a leather string. - Please don't reject it! - What's this? - wondered Harry. - It's just a talisman, a protecting one. Mum gave it to me after Jinni. Well you know what happened. But now I think you need it more than I do. So please take it! - Ron . - started Harry , but his friend interrupted him. - Take it as a token of our reborn friendship. And it would be a birthday present. 'cause I hadn't made you one this year. And Harry took it. - There is only one thing. You shouldn't mention it to anyone if you want that it would really work. Please, Harry, do me the favour, keep it always on, or. or I won't sleep well. - begged Ron. Lying in his bed, Harry was smiling. He was really glad that Ron and he made up. It was the only good thing which happened to him since a very long time. That night he had no nightmares.