Disclaimer: In a word: NO.
Pairings: Hermione/Draco
***
Several weeks passed from the grand evening of Hermione's birthday—several weeks that included her acting as though a certain Slytherin had fallen off the face of the earth, and finding it rather hard to look Ginny Weasley in the eye. This, of course, was not Hermione's fault—seeing your best friend drunk and snogging with her boyfriend wasn't something anyone could forget too quickly.
Ginny had sworn Hermione to secrecy from everyone from Mrs. Weasley to Ron upon waking up the following morning with a splitting headache. Ginny had then proceeded to close all the blinds and sleep for the rest of the day, while Hermione went about making excuses to the general public (everyone from Ron, Harry, and Lavender to Blaise Zabini himself) as to the real reason of Ginny's absence.
And now it was mid-November.
This in itself was really no reason for her to complain, Hermione realized that. Except for the minor detail that in addition to N.E.W.T. preparation and homework; Professor Dumbledore had somehow managed to give the seventh years a "new sort of project." This the Headmaster had announced cheerfully over breakfast that morning in his usual vague manner, telling his seventh years "they would be paired up and assigned a field of research accordingly."
Which left Hermione feeling rather uncomfortable with the whole thing.
Hermione left her thoughts to run in confused, hap hazardous circles around her head as she threw her bag into the corner of her private room on Thursday evening. Classes were over for the day and Hermione was graced with the seemingly ever-present headache.
I need a vacation, Hermione thought wearily, as she searched through her desk for her bottle of Muggle aspirin. Finding it, she popped two of the little white pills into her mouth and swallowed.
Hermione pulled back her hair and searched through her trunk for a sweater. Her rooms were always cool, she had realized, as she looked out her window at the darkening Hogwarts grounds.
And then she saw something to catch her eye.
Hermione pulled back the sheer white curtains covering her windows and pressed her face to the glass, squinting. Sure enough, she saw a figure darting across the grounds towards the lake, a lit up wand held at arm's length. It met up with another, slightly shorter figure, and together they took off toward the far side of the lake.
From this point of view, that looks an awful lot like…Hermione squinted even harder. Tall, broad build, speedy…Like Blaise, Hermione thought. She straightened and furrowed her brow, but the figures had disappeared from sight.
Curiously, Hermione went over to her door that separated the seventh year girl's dorms from her own and stuck her head out. Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil were sitting cross-legged on Lavender's bed flipping through Witch Weekly, talking in hushed tones.
"Where's Ginny?" Hermione asked. Lavender's blonde head shot up from the magazine, looking around the room. Lavender shrugged.
"She said something about playing chess with Harry or something of the like," Lavender said. "Dunno. Why'd you ask?"
Hermione shook her head. "Never mind," she said. Lavender threw a glance to Parvati and they both went back to discussing 'Secret Wedding' of the Weird Sister's bassist's brother. Hermione ducked back into her room. She grabbed a sheet of parchment of her desk, along with a quill, and jotted down:
Thursday, 20 November—Blaise on grounds with girl (not Ginny) at dusk?
Hermione frowned as she stashed the piece of parchment in her oak desk. This year is far too odd for my tastes, she thought, before collapsing in exhaustion on her bed.
***
On Friday morning, a very bleary-eyed Draco Malfoy wandered down to Potions with the likes of Pansy Parkinson, Millicent Bulstrode, Blaise Zabini, Theodore Nott, Tahmores Bleacou, and Malcolm Baddock. "The Slytherin Seven", as they had been aptly yet sappily named by the rest of their schoolmates, had become sort of an elitist group—the best of the best. And Draco was, naturally, their self-appointed leader.
The seven of them stopped outside of the dungeons, knowing they had fifteen minutes till class.
"So what do you think Dumbledore meant about the big project yesterday?" the short, bulky Malcolm asked. The group shrugged.
"Dunno," Blaise said carelessly, brushing his dark, carefully arranged hair out of his eyes and winking at Pansy, who grinned.
"I heard," Millicent said in a confidential tone, "that this project is really a kind of Ministry test…they're seeing how they can arrange us in Ministry jobs."
The group shared an ominous glare. As the children of former (or in some cases, dead) Death Eaters, none of them especially liked being told what to do. Their strong sense of Slytherin stubbornness only intensified their dislike.
"As long as they don't make us work with any Gryffindors," the skinny and pallid Theodore Nott joked. Pansy gave a laugh, joined by the others. Draco quirked an eyebrow in Blaise's direction at his chuckling.
"They're not all so bad," Draco muttered to himself.
"What?" Pansy asked.
Draco grinned. "After all…who would we harass if not for the likes of Potter, Weasley, and Granger?" Draco gestured down the stone hallway to a trio approaching. The seven shared a chuckle. As they drew near, Draco picked up on Hermione's voice.
"…Honestly, ten minutes till class and you're asking me to check your homework now? You two are really something…I don't know what you'll do when you're on your own!" Hermione trilled, exasperated. She pulled her parchment out of her bag and thrust it at a sheepish-looking Harry and Ron. "Take it," she muttered to her two best friends.
"What're they giving you in return, Granger?" Tahmores Bleacou called down to them, catching the three Gryffindor's attention. Hermione's head whipped around and her eyes found Draco's in the crowd.
"Don't you have things to do in your free time?" Hermione asked, her tone a chilly sub-zero.
"More like 'people to do', Granger," Blaise quipped, a rakish grin crossing his face. "If you catch my drift."
This remark was met by hoots and catcalls on the Slytherin's part; Harry and Ron grimaced. Hermione threw all seven of them a look of pure disgust before she glared at Draco and turned away.
"Come on Granger," Pansy Parkinson spoke up, her hard blue eyes alive with malice. "We've all heard about that night up in the Astronomy Tower!" Hermione turned back around, her chestnut eyes narrowed. Ron's face was the exact color of an overripe tomato, and Harry's fist was clenched around his wand menacingly. Pansy continued. "Two guys in one night, Granger? Are you trying to build the reputation you've always wanted?" The Slytherins snickered, with the exception of Draco, who avoiding Hermione's eyes at all costs.
Hermione drew in a deep breath. "Too bad," she said with an air of forced nonchalance. "I'll never be able to catch up with you, Pansy."
Calls of "Ooooh" and a low whistle came from the Slytherin side. Harry and Ron looked at Hermione with surprise. She only sent them one back that said, didn't think I had it in me, huh?
Pansy glowered, her cheeks pink. "At least I have the decency to see them one at a time," she spat. Hermione smirked.
"Oh, yes, let's see: Bleacou, Nott, Baddock," Hermione ticked names off on her fingers. The Slytherin boys looked a little self-conscious. Hermione continued, her eyes settling on brown and blonde heads, respectively. "Zabini," Hermione hissed, recognizing him from the previous night. Then her eyes rested on Draco, who looked up at her with silvery orbs. "And Malfoy," Hermione finished. "Ah, yes, take a number boys, Parkinson is all booked up!"
Millicent Bulstrode gasped. Hermione had to admit, her words had been harsh—but what better way to fight fire than with fire?
Draco's gaze caught Hermione's again, with a look of contemplative confusion. (Was there such a thing? Hermione wondered.) She raised her eyebrows. Draco merely shook his head, turned on his heel, and left the scene.
Pansy stood for a moment, still gaping from Hermione's scathing insult, before finally realizing she couldn't come up with anything half as character-debasing. With a huff, Pansy snapped her mouth shut and stormed off to the girl's lavatories, leaving her remaining five friends behind.
The rest of the Slytherins starred at Hermione with malice. She rolled her eyes, exasperated.
"Can I help you?" Hermione hissed. The Slytherins turned away, Blaise still glaring, and formed a tight-knit circle. Whispers could be heard echoing down the hallway. Hermione turned back to Harry and Ron, who both stood with their mouths slightly agape. Hermione threw her arms out, her face flushed. "What?!" she cried, thoroughly angered.
Ron gulped meekly, his eyes wide.
"That was…a little harsh, Hermione," Harry said weakly.
Hermione blinked in disbelief. "What is this?" Hermione cried. "Since when do we stick up for Slytherins who, if you didn't notice, attacked my character first?"
Ron cleared his throat nervously. "Nothing…it's just that for this project…you know we're getting paired up with opposite House members?"
Hermione motioned for Ron to continue. "Well…"Harry picked up. "We're going to be paired with Slytherins."
***
"Professor Snape, sir?" Draco called out, entering the office of Severus Snape timidly. "Professor…"
"Draco?" Snape's voice came from practically inside the store cabinet. The Potions Master's slick dark hair popped up from behind the door. "What do you want?"
Draco suppressed a grin. In his first year at Hogwarts, Severus Snape had taken it upon himself to "supply emotional support and administer advice" to the parentally crippled Draco. Draco had known next to nothing about Snape's Death Eater betrayal until after his father had been imprisoned for the final time in sixth year, so his views on the man hadn't been greatly affected. Granted, he'd had to keep to weekly meeting with Snape secret from his father, but that was an endeavor unto itself.
"How many times, Draco," Snape asked, rising with a jar of pickled slugs in hand, "not to call me 'Sir'? It makes me feel old."
Draco allowed a tiny smirk. "Severus, then," he replied, watching the jar of slugs with fond remembrances of his second year.
Snape leafed through lists of parchment on his desk, marking them. "Was there something you wanted?" Snape questioned, looking up, his face pale yet alive looking. The Potions Master motioned to a chair and Draco took the invitation. Snape looked at the clock. "I do hope it's fast, though, we've only got eight minutes until class."
Draco sat. "It's about…well, it's kind of got to do with a bet, Si—er, Severus."
Snape looked mildly interested, sitting up in his high-backed chair. "Oh? A monetary wager made on the outcomes of the Quidditch game or the like?"
Draco grimaced. "Not exactly. To say the least it involves…well, a lot actually. But Zabini, and a girl…well, and me. And a girl."
Snape's face broke into the tiniest of smiles. "I should expect no less, Draco," he murmured. "May I ask as to what exactly you're betting on, or is that classified information?" Draco could swear there was a twinkle akin to that of Dumbledore's deep in the Potion Master's eyes.
Draco fidgeted with his hands. "Er," he said. "Well…there's this girl I kind of have to…" he stumbled over his words. "I mean…the thing about it is she's not a Slytherin, but a Gryffindor and…well."
Snape looked amused now. "Ah," Draco's mentor said, the twinkle even more recognizable now. "So it's you who has been pursuing Miss Granger, then?"
Draco nearly fell out of his chair. "How exactly did you hear about that?" Draco hissed, his fists clenching the arms of his chair. Snape chuckled, his dark hair clouding his vision.
"Draco, something you must learn about Slytherins before you leave this school is that they are never as secretive as they seem," Snape said sagely. When Draco gave him a confused look, Snape added, "I do believe it was Mr. Zabini's romantic interest that let it slip to a friend of hers during Potions."
Dammit, little Weasley! Draco cursed. Snape stopped laughing at the expression on Draco's face, suddenly serious, or at least for Draco's ego's sake, attempting. Snape continued. "And those four students up in the Astronomy Tower the night you were supposed to be Patrolling…"
Draco sighed, unconsciously fingering the spot on his mouth where Hermione had chewed on him. "Us," Draco stated simply. Snape nodded. The room fell silent. Draco could hear footsteps entering the Potions classroom just beyond the doors of Snape's office. They only had a few minutes left. Draco thought he could hear Hermione's voice through the oak door.
My little vixen, Draco thought ruefully, then cursing himself for sounding so possessive. Hermione's hard-to-get act perplexed him…intrigued him. But Draco wanted that position on the Falmouth Falcons so. But is that all? Draco pondered silently, staring at his shoes with interest. It was somehow different chasing Hermione than chasing, oh, say, chasing Hannah Abbot had been.
Then again, Hermione had slapped him around a great deal more as well.
Snape broke the silence first as the bell rang, pulling Draco from his thoughts.
"Draco," the older man said, "there is a question you must ask yourself about your…quest. I know it started out as a bet and a bribe, but from your attitude I can tell it's become more of a personal mission of sorts." Snape paused, his dark eyes thoughtful, staring Draco down. Draco shifted, not wanting to give anything away. Snape continued, rising. "But you cannot always take the situation for exactly what it is."
Draco rose also, frowning. What the hell does that mean? He asked angrily. Aloud, he said, "I'm not sure I understand."
Snape gave a mysterious half-smile, ushering his young pupil toward the door. "You would have to ask Miss Parkinson, Draco, as she was the one who let it slip in the first place."
Draco nodded idly, and then he was able to piece two things together: "Blaise's romantic interest" and… "Parkinson"?
"Wait a moment," the blonde said; turning to face his mentor, "I thought you said it was Blaise's girlfriend who let it slip?"
Snape looked perplexed. "Miss Parkinson…"
Draco smacked his palm to his head, muttering, "Weasley!" Snape only frowned more, but Draco shook his head.
Well, at least now I know why Blaise has been sneaking out after dark, Draco noted.
Moments later, the whole class had assembled quietly in their seats, and Snape took to his podium, looking tremendously more stern than he had five minutes back in his office.
"As you know," the Potions Master said, in his usual commanding tone, "the Headmaster has created a new…project of sorts for you to complete." The class shifted in their seats. Hermione threw a nervous glance out of the corner of her eye to the Slytherin side of the classroom.
Snape continued. "And, of course, the Headmaster would like to institute some inter-House ties, so, you will all be paired accordingly." Snape briefly caught Draco's eye and Draco could barely keep himself from smirking with glee. Something in his Slytherin brain clicked and he suddenly knew Snape's plan.
He was going to be paired with Granger.
Could this bet get any easier?
"…project will continue from now until you have reached a sufficient end," Snape was saying, his onyx eyes sweeping his pupils. "You have been chosen to research a type of Potion, either existing or one of your own creation." The pale man drew a list of parchment from his robes pocket. "I will read off the names," he said quietly, as the whole class leaned forward in their seats, "and you will pair off accordingly.
"Weasley…Parkinson!"
Ron got up slowly, throwing a glance of despair to Harry and Hermione. Harry shrugged, while Hermione gave him a sympathetic smile. Grudgingly he gathered his things and sat with an equally disgruntled looking Pansy in the back of the classroom.
"Baddock…Abbot!"
The rosy Hufflepuff girl threw a nervous glance at the tall, stout Malcolm Baddock, and timidly drew out the chair next to hers. Malcolm threw himself resignedly at the chair.
Snape continued. "Zabini…Brown."
Blaise got up, a smirk on his pretty face as he sauntered over to Lavender's desk. Lavender actually went so far as to bat her eyelashes at him, before seeming to suddenly remember she was flirting with Ginny's boyfriend. Hermione sent a venomous glare at the back of the blonde's head.
"Bulstrode…Potter!"
Here, Hermione couldn't tell if Millicent or Harry was more horrified by this announcement.
The list went on, and Hermione tuned it out until she heard:
"Malfoy…Granger." Hermione's head shot up in surprise. Snape rolled the parchment and tossed it onto a pile of books. Hermione threw a surprised look at Malfoy, who leaned back in his chair, smoothing his blonde hair and looking at her in a self-satisfied manner. Hermione turned in disgust and timidly raised her hand. Snape was bent over marking papers. Without so much as glancing up, he asked, "What is it, Miss Granger?"
Hermione turned a little pink in the cheeks but cleared her throat. "Professor, sir…I'm not quite sure I heard my name right. Did you say—"
"—Malfoy, yes, Granger," Snape said in an almost bored tone. "I suggest the two of you get used to the idea and get to work."
From behind Hermione's back, Draco offered a wide grin of thanks to his professor. Snape gave a tiny, unrecognizable nod and went back to his papers.
Hermione drew in a deep breath. She could almost hear Ginny saying, "Well, at least you'll have more time to 'work on your project'."
"Come on, Granger," Malfoy's ecstatic voice broke into Hermione's wall of misery. "You heard the Professor—we've got lots of work to do!"
***
An hour later, the bell finally ended the seemingly longest Potions class of their lives.
"Thank Merlin," Hermione muttered under her breath, gathering her books as students streamed out the door. She had almost reached the blessed exit when Draco's hand on her elbow stopped her. She turned to face him with frustration. "Yes, Malfoy?"
Draco smirked, and Hermione tried hard to look at his eyes. "Calm yourself, Granger," Draco said smoothly. "But you're forgetting something. Don't you think we should do a little research to narrow down a topic?"
Hermione inwardly growled. She hated it when he brought up rational points. Now she would have to follow another one of Ginny's "brilliant" plans to get Draco Malfoy to fall for her.
Wonderful.
Draco continued, easily guiding Hermione out into the hallway. "Besides, Granger, the library is where we had our first little tête-à-tête."
This time Hermione really did growl. "Listen, Malfoy," she muttered. "If I were you, I wouldn't mention that. And secondly, if you didn't notice, all of our suggested topics are on things that would most definitely be in the Restricted Section. Snape won't help us this time, he even said so."
Draco smirked as the pair passed up a flight of stairs. "Easy," he said. "We'll go to my library."
Hermione stopped dead in her tracks.
"What?" Hermione cried. Had she heard right? What did he mean, his library?
Draco stopped too. "My library, Granger. You know, that room some people have in their houses where they keep books and stuff?" he said slowly, as if explaining to a temperamental five year old that one plus one equals two.
Hermione shook her head, brown eyes narrowed with disbelief. "Okay, Malfoy, what exactly are you implying?"
Draco sighed, exasperated. "I mean, Granger, we're going to take a little field trip to Malfoy Manor."
Hermione glared. "I don't think so, Malfoy. If you want to go home, then fine. But just because I'm paired up with you, to my great misfortune, on one stupid little project does not mean I'm trekking around your private Library! I'm sure we can find things here." Hermione sidestepped Draco, her head high. Draco cut in front of her, looking downright devilish.
"Ah, but Hermione, you said yourself we can't get this sort of information here," Draco said with his usual drawl. "And this is my grade just as much as yours, so that means sometimes you'll have to do things my way." Draco paused and stared Hermione down, puffing himself up to his greatest height. They stopped moving for a moment, and Hermione froze, still glaring fiercely. Draco was careful not to inhale the scent of Hermione's hair.
Finally, Hermione broke the quiet. "You're wretched, Draco Malfoy," she said.
Draco took it as a compliment and turned, grinning, to walk toward his Charms class. "Entrance Hall, nine P.M. tomorrow night," he called over his shoulder, swaggering confidently away.
As soon as he rounded the corner, Hermione let out an infuriated shriek.
***
A/N: Ta Da! Yes, it's true, ladies and gentlemen: I am officially back from the dead! The true reason for my more than a month long absence can be summed up in three words.
"Real Life" and "Writer's Block"
No, our four words for why I couldn't be here are…(did anyone catch that subtle Monty Python reference?!)
Anyway. Thanks largely to all my wonderful reviewers out there. You guys have no idea how much I appreciate this right now. I'm actually kind of bored with this fic. Isn't that awful? But it's true. TTT could be finished in 6-9 chapters! So review while you can! Also, to everyone who mentioned Hermione's vampirism moment last chapter, I totally agree with you. That whole biting bit was a bit much. Sorry. I have bad writer's block with this fic.
THANK YOU:
Akasha Ravensong
Carolinastylus—lust is so much more fun!
Desiqueen
Jamie—bad boys do rock my world. Your reviews rock my world too!
Lair—Your honesty with me is really helping. I did read over my last couple of chapters, and realized they all end the same. It's like déjà vu all over again!
Lisha Megan
MsLessa—Another KISS ME KATE lover. Go you!
Unicorn13
Literature and All that Bosh—
*Madame