An: This is basically the continuation of the previous chapter originally meant to be part of it but splitting it up didn't really hurt anything.

*Disclaimer- I don't want to take the risk of you to sure but if you want to share please do I don't own Harry Potter Coo'? (Sorry my friend wanted me to put that - don't hate me)*

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Chapter 24 - The Malfoy Charm



(Still have to think of a song was expecting this be part of the last chapter - any suggestions?)

"So Draco, what have you been up to recently?" His father's voice was cold, severe, and suspicious.

"Not all the much, not really anything out of the ordinary. I've been keeping up with my school work, Quidditch, and my prefect duties." It was all true and honestly Hermione wasn't out of the ordinary - anymore.

"How is you school work going? Does that wretched mudblood still have better grades?"

"Yes, sir. But she devotes every spare second to studying or reading. If she would do half as much stuff as I do her grades wouldn't be nearly as high."

"There are no if, ands, or but, my dear boy. You are a pureblood now start acting the part and be better than the filth you unfortunately have to learn with. I expect you to be better than her and all the other dirty blood around here."

Dumbledore who was walking silently, slightly behind them decide this was the opportune time to jump in for Draco's benefit. "That feat is nearly impossible. Miss Granger, whom I assume you are speaking about, has quite the gift for absorbing knowledge. And as young Mister Malfoy stated, has her priorities set, on studying, and fulfilling her prefect duties. She had almost not accepted being a Prefect with fear it might interrupt her ability to study."

"That is all irrelevant. My son is the smartest wizard in his year."

Draco watched silently as his headmaster and father went back and force. "That is all quite true and Hermione Granger is the smartest which and top student of her year."

"For now. Now will you excuse us so we can have a family discussion with our son."

"Yes, for now I will stay out of your way. Mr. Malfoy remember the prefect meeting in my office tonight to discuss the advancement of that trip I assigned you all to plan." Draco nodded and watched he's safety walk off into the distance down the corridor.

"Now what is the real reason you haven't been replying to my letters? Do you not want to join our Lord?" he asked menacingly.

"I have been very confused as of late. I want to join," he lied through his teeth, "I just don't think this is the right time for me to do so. With school and all the other students I don't want anybody to get suspicious especially Potter and all his groupies."

"Oh? And why would they get suspicious of an up-standing citizen like yourself?"

"We hate each other, and none of them trust me."

"I see. We will talk about this more later after I have spoken with the Drak Lord. Now let's go see the project the muggle-loving git was talking about."

"Yes, sir. It's in the prefect common room, where we just were a few minutes ago."

They proceeding to walk back in the direction of the third floor corridor, stood on the trap door, and Draco whispered the password. They gracefully popped in to see Snape and McGonagall discussing something with Hermione Granger.

"Hello again, Severus, Minerva," Lucius Malfoy said blatantly ignoring the presence of the Gryffindor girl. She wasn't all that shocked, but she did look slightly infuriated and made a point of it.

"Good afternoon, Draco, Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy." There was a lot of sarcasm in her voice that startled even Draco. It wasn't like her. The older Malfoy glared at her for a moment before turning up their noses.

"Draco here was just going to show us the trip project he has been working on it." They way he spoke, implied that he believe that no matter who else helped Draco was the brains and leader in the group, and he alone was the one coming up with the plan, the others were just his submissive minions.

"Yes, Miss Granger was just starting to tell us about it. It seems they all have worked very hard and there isn't much left to do." Draco nodded in agreement with his Transfiguration teacher. The aging woman turned to Severus, "I think we should go now, we have things to discuss with the headmaster that just can't be put off any longer."

They left the room with out further discussion. "Aren't you leaving too, Mudblood?" Lucius asked. Hermione ignored him. He walked purposefully over to her. "Mudblood, I asked if you were leaving as well."

She turned defiantly towards him, trying not to let her emotions take control of her, or let anything slip that she wasn't supposed to. "Oh, were you talking to me? I didn't know. See my name is Granger, or if you like Hermione. I don't remember reading 'Mudblood" on my birth certificate anywhere. And if you don't mind, I have more of a right to be here than you do. I after all am actually a prefect and you, fortunately, are just visiting, I promise to keep out of your way. I'll be over here going over some notes."

She turned and sat on the couch closest to the fire. Lucius looked ready to kill. Not many people stood up to him, he didn't tolerate it, especially coming from a stupid, dirty, Mudblood. "You have no right to be here. You are a filthy little muggle born. The only reason you are here is because of the absurd muggle-loving headmaster."

"Do not insult Professor Dumbledore in front of me. He is a great man, and you for one, are just jealous of all his accomplishments, that you will never even come close to surpassing. I may be muggle-born but I have better marks than you ever hand in your entire seven years at this school. You weren't even in the top ten of your class." Hermione spoke scornfully not even looking up from her text.

Draco help back a smirk, he enjoyed watching his father be put in his place, but was afraid of the repercussion he would take. ""This school does contain records in its libraryAnd how would you know that?"

. Even Tom Riddle had lower marks than I. A Mr. James Potter and a Miss Lily Even did quite well few years ago, though."

The deatheater's face was turning quite red. "You little bitch. Mucius Totalus! That might help you think about what you say."

Hermione opened her mouth in retor still filled with rage:

"So what am I not supposed to have an opinion Should I keep quite just because I'm a woman? Call me a bitch cause I speak what's on my mind Guess it's easier for you to swallow if I sat and smiled When a female fires back Suddenly big talk don't know how to act So he does what every little boy would do Making up a few false rumors or two That for sure is not a man to me, slandering names for popularity It sad you only get your fame through controversy But now it's time for me to come and give you more to say."

Hermione snapped her mouth shut, when she realized she was singing. Draco was shocked as well.

"Oh not a bad voice mudblood. But please stop speaking while we discuss Draco's project."

The pissed-off Gryffindor crossed her arms and sat grudgingly on the sofa once more. The she turned to Draco.

After all of the stealing a cheating you probably think that hold resentment for you But uh-uh, oh no, you're wrong. Cause if it wasn't for all that you tried to do I would know just how capable I am to pull through So I wanna say thank you It makes me that much stronger It makes me worker hat much harder It makes me that much wiser So thanks for making me fighter It made me learn a little bit faster Made my skin a little bit thinker It makes me that much smarter Thanks for making me a fighter."

With that she stood to leave and presumptuously to go complain to Dumbloredore or Madam Pomfrey. They Malfoys all let out a laugh, but Draco's was forced.

"Maybe she'll learn her place after a while with that charm on."

Draco ignored the comment and kept his face emotionless, a skill he had long since learn. "So for this trip we are going to be put in random groups of inter-houses from about four to eight people. Half with go to Rome and the other portion will go to Paris. As Prefects we get to go to both, as supervision and for enjoyment."

"That's sounds interesting, " it was the first time he heard his mother's voice on this excursion of theirs.

To his dismay his father picked up on the fact that Hermione would be apart of his group. "Couldn't you find a way to get out of the group with the Mudblood?"

"Only if I reneged my duties and privileges as a Prefect. It could always be worse though. I might have been put in a group with Potter and Weasley. Plus if she annoys me, you have just shown me a terrific spell to make her shut her trap."

"Very well."

~*~

Hermione was forced only to think to herself instead of her usual rant- filled mutterings. And even then, it was coming out in a sing-song tone. She stormed off to the infamous gargoyle and began singing off different combinations of candy, finally earning admittance with Butterfinger.

"Ah, Miss Granger, how can I help you?" he questioned as she lightly rapt on the door.

"Sir," she clamped her hands over her mouth as even the simple word spoken sounded like it was going to break out in a chorus of art.

"I see the Musicus Totalus spell. Would this have anything to do with Mr. Malfoy's visitors?"

She nodded silently sliding into a chair opposite his desk. "It should wear off in as little as a few hours, or we could go ask him to take it off?"

Hermione looked up shocked, and defiantly protested in the shaking of her head.

"I suppose you wouldn't want to do that would you? No I guess not."

Hermione mouthed her thanks before walking back to the Gryffindor common room. She left a note saying she would be around the castle alone. She decided to include something about the curse but not who actually cast it. She needed want to cause any more problems than necessary. She left walking up to the owlery to send a relatively same message to Draco's dorm so he wouldn't try to find her when he's parents eventually did leave. She headed off to astronomy tower to wait, of course with a good book for company.

~*~



Draco's parents left right before dinner started in the great hall claiming they didn't want to eat to school food when their own was so much better. Draco was relieved, he needed to find Hermione, and talk to her and explain. He was sure she already knew most of what he had to say but wanted to assure himself that she didn't hate him.

He sat down in his usually spot at the Slytherin table and watched tediously as hordes of people moved through the great wooden doors. He watched as a red headed girl walked in soon followed by a boy with the same color hair and one with jet black hair. He expectantly got up hoping to stop Hermione before she got a chance to sit down. But she never came in. Curious he went over to the Gryffindor group, trying to be his 'old' cocky self, "Where's Granger?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

"That's kind of why I asked, Weasle."

Harry, used to always mediating between Hermione and Ron stepped in. "Didn't you hear? Something went wrong while she was practicing the Music charm or something and now she's stuck singing everything she wants to say until it wears off."

Draco was slightly satisfied that they were cooperating for him, but more curious why Hermione hadn't told them about the truth - his parents namely. "So where is she?"

"She never said, or sang for that matter. She left us a note in the Gryffindor common room."

Draco simply nodded and strode off through the doors not really hungry.

"That was bloody weird," Ron said as they watched their nemesis walk off.

"Yeah, it was," they both agreed.

~*~

Draco wasn't quite sure where to look. He knew she wasn't in the Prefect common room. He had been in there all after noon with his parents. And she obviously wasn't in the Gryffindor common room, according to Potter anyway. There was always the library but that would be predictable. He began to walk aimlessly around the castle and found himself in his dorm room. There was a school owl perched on his desk.

He swept some treats across the desk I front of it and took the letter the now familiar scrawl addressed it to him.

Dragon,

First thing we need to find you a better code name nick name whatever this are. The translation of your name is not really original is it? No, I guess not. Wellas you know, your father cast that curse on me and everything is coming out in rhyming lyrics, even my thoughts. I went to Dumbledore, I didn't tell him much but he talked enough t share that all I could do was wait for it to fade or ask Lucius to take it off (like that would ever happen.)

I'm avoiding people until I get used to not talking or it fades. I'm sure it will fade before I get used to not talking. Well any way I just wanted to let you know that I wouldn't be around so you wouldn't get all hot- headed and worried or something. I guess I'll see you around.

Sleeping beauty.

He was relieved to know that she was all right but the note still left no clue to where she might be hiding out. He thought about it more - where would be the least likely place she would be. The divination classroom or Snape's class were on the top of his list.

He exited it through the Slytherin common room and went straight down the hall to his favorite class. He looked around the silent classroom and quickly ruled out her presence of being there and he went to in the direction of he's next idea.

He climbed the many different staircases leading to his intended goal. It was plenty of time to think. Hermione would never really force herself to suffer those exasperated smells or tea leaves and perfumed oils. It just wasn't her. She would look for a quiet place where no one would think to find her - The astronomy Tower. It was quiet this time of year, with snow still covering it. It was high enough to evade the sounds of down below and it wasn't commonly used except for summer night snog sessions and midnight stargazing.

He was already most of the way there just the last spiraling staircase to go. He quietly climbed, praying that Hermione was there and he wasn't just wasting his energy to discover some snow banked rooftop. One more turn and he reached the top, trying successfully to control his breathing as not to alarm her, if she was in fact there.

She has transfigured some objects into a oversized comfortable chair and functioned a clear covering over her. She had some small torches more for light then heat since it was obvious her has cast a warming charm. Her hair flowed around her as she read every word in the book laying open in her lap. She was completely rapt in it. Draco tried to think of a nice thing to do, to announce his presence, apologize, and hopefully make her feel better. He muttered a few words with his wand pointed at himself before climbing the last step.

She gasped when he started singing, and turned abruptly from the pages of her book.

"My gift is my song And this one's for you"

He went and sat next to her, brushing hair out of her face.

"You can tell everybody That this is your song It may be quite simple now that it's done I hope you don't mind I hope you don't mind That I put down on words How wonderful life is Now that you're in the world

I sat on roof I kicked off the moss (he sang while pushing snow around with his foot) Though some of these verses Well they've got me quite cross Bit the sun has been kind while I wrote this song It's for people like you that keep it turned on

Excuse for getting but these things I do You see I've forgotten if they're green or they're blue But the thing is what I really need

Yours are the sweetest eyes that every seen

And you can tell everybody that this is your song It may be quite simple but now that it's done I hope you don't mind I hope you don't mind that I put down in words How wonderful life is now that you're in the world I hope you don't mind oh I hope you don't mind that I put down in words How wonderful life is now the you're in the world"

Hermione smiled and applauded, still not trusting herself to talk, or for the open her mouth. Draco removed the charm from himself.

"I'm sorry. My father is a jerk, and he doesn't like to be proved wrong by anybody, much less a muggle born. I just want to say that I'm proud of you. You stood up to him more today, that I usually ever do. Stupid Gryffindor blood - it really will get you in trouble one of these days."

She shrugged sheepishly, almost and gave hi a friendly hug. Hermione wanted to thank him but all her thoughts were still slightly sing-song so she took out a quill and some parchment.

Thanks Draco. It was beautiful. I will never know how you know about Elton John. How did you find me anyway? I know I didn't tell anyone, not even Dumbledore though he probably knows anyway.

"Elton John, he's a wizard, well a sqibb. Why do you think most people think he is so weird? As for finding you, I just looked for the glowing aura. No not really I just thought of the least likely, quiet place you would be. So what book are you reading."

She handed him the book before writing I don't like to leave things unfinished.

"Hmm, and I thought I was going to read this whole book to you."

You still can. Your voice relaxes me; it's really weird. Up until this year your voice sent chills up and down my spine.

"I assume it was foreboding chills not 'oh god Draco Malfoy is actually talking to me' chills?" Hermione nodded. "Well, I guess we really changed this year. Mind if I sit with you?" Hermione's head shook.

Draco positioned himself leaning against one of the arm-rest. Hermione laid her head down on his chest and he opened the book to where he left off and began reading again. With in the hour Hermione had fall asleep against him and he soon followed suit, dreaming of the tale only with himself and the girl in his arms in the place of the characters.

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What to expect next chapter: 1) I'm skipping ahead like a week or two to Valentine's Day, with a few surprises 2) The music charm obviously vanishes 3) There might be a test of the protection charm but I haven't decided yet.

Well you obviously read Now review cause I said.