Forever Stay the Same

Angelkatt (melodyfae-at-yahoo-dot-com)

2001
Rating: PG13
Summary: Draco finally get what he deserves, but how can he cope being stuck in a wheelchair and being bossed around by Hermione?

Chapter 2

As soon as the Professors left, Draco started yelling. "Are you mad! I don't want to spend my time hanging around a mudblood like you!"

"Yeah, because I'm doing this to be with your winning personality." she scoffed.

"Well yes. As a matter of fact, I think you want to make those other girls jealous by associating with me."

Hermione was genuinely puzzled. "What would they have to be jealous about?"

"Hello! Handsome, powerful, rich..."

Hermione started laughing so hard her stomach hurt.

"Shut your gob! You're the one wanting to get extra credit when you're already at the top of the class!"

She tried to control herself. "That Ravenclaw, Katrina, is second and if she did this, it would make her closed to first. I can't risk that!"

"You. Are. Insane! That's all there is to it."

Hermione didn't acknowledge his comment and went to look at the newly conjured wheelchair.

"So, what's that supposed to do, anyway?"

"You sit in it and use your hands to wheel yourself around, or else someone can push you."

"You mean it doesn't float, fly, transport or zoom?" His eyes widened at the dreadful thought.

"I don't think the Professors would think it would be that much of a punishment if you had that kind of luxury."

"Shut up, Granger."

Madam Pomfrey was now back beside Draco. After casting his right leg, she looked at the left and frowned. "I wished the Headmaster would let me heal that. You have enough to worry about with your other leg. Well, at least I will rest easy knowing you are in good hands, right Hermione?"

She grinned evilly at Draco. "Oh, yes. Don't worry about a thing. I won't let anything happen to him I don't want happening."

As Madam Pompfrey helped him into the wheelchair, she couldn't hear him mutter under his breath, "Just kill me now..."

"Hey Granger. You're supposed to be helping me, no?" Once they were in the hall, Draco stopped behind her and folded his hands on his lap.

Hermione stopped walking and looked at him in disbelief. "You don't expect me to wheel you around like some slave, do you?"

"It is your job."

"Um, no Malfoy." Her tone was one you would use to explain things to a child. "It's extra credit for me. It's your punishment. Which means you have to do what I say." she said just as she realized the fact for herself.

"I could just stay here then. You can't just leave me since I'm your responsibility."

"Oh, I understand. Your thin weakly arms can't support you. Aww, it's okay Malfoy. Not everyone can be strong and muscular."

"I'll have you know these are very good arms to have! Not sickly like your friend Potter's."

"Are you kidding me? Harry's arms are way stronger than yours are. He actually gets a workout while playing Quidditch. They're nice, unlike your bony ones."

"Whatever. Look at these." He rolled up the sleeve of his robe and flexed his arm. "Feel how hard they are. Come on!"

Hermione couldn't stop laughing at this peculiar scene. She and Malfoy looked so ridiculous debating about such a thing in the halls! Of course, to make things perfect...

"I see you've been working out Draco!" Parvati and Lavender walked passed and were giggling uncontrollably.

Then Malfoy did something Hermione had never seen before. His pale skin turned a nice shade of pink.

"Wow! Draco Malfoy blushing. Never thought I'd see the day." she taunted, although her cheeks were also burning at what her fellow roommates thought.

"Oh, whatever. Let's just go." he wheeled himself away, forgetting about his protest.

Hermione Granger was given the great privilege of setting foot in the Slytherin common room. At least, that's how most of the Slytherins felt. Hermione, she would have given anything not to be there. Not to have those Slytherin eyes follow her around. Not to have them whispering about her while she stood right there. Not to see such horrible decor.

'What is this? The set of "Masterpiece Theater"?' she thought as she looked at the dim setting, antique chairs, brown patterned wallpaper and an undistinguishable colour of limeish green carpet.

"You can leave now, mudblood." Malfoy dismissed her as if he thought she wanted to spend any unnecessary time there. "I don't need your help anymore."

"Gladly!" She was about to get as far away as possible, but was distracted by Pansy's entrance.

"Draco!" she gushed at him. "What happened? Are you okay? What did she do to you?" she was attaching herself onto Draco's robes.

"Dammit Pansy! Go away!" he waved his arms around, trying to get her to let go.

"But you're hurt! I have to take care of you. Don't worry about a thing."

"Wait, Granger. I change my mind. Come back!"

Pansy frowned. "Draky! You would rather have some annoying Gryffindor overachiever take care of you than me?"

"Hell yes." Hermione followed him as he rolled himself out.

"You like that muggle born more than me!" Pansy cried after them.

"You got that right." Off of Hermione's look from that comment, he had to explain, "Don't get excited. I like Avada Kavadra more than her."

"Seriously? I always thought you two where...a couple or something, Draky." Not that she really cared about Malfoy's life. It just always seemed like the two horrible people belonged together.

"If you ask her, she'll say we're the perfect couple. Personally, I can't stand to be in the same room as her."

"Then why do you hang out with her? Knowing you, if you really disliked her so much, she'd know about it."

"I try---hey! Mind your own bloody business! When did you become my psychiatrist?"

"Geez, I'm just trying to make conversation. And you know what? I can totally see you going to therapy."

"If only McGonagall knew how rude you are, she wouldn't think you where this exemplary student. You do nothing but insult people."

"Excuse me?" She could not describe to you the level of disbelief that statement put her in. "I insult you? Everyone who has ever met you--"

"There you go again! If people knew how mean you are--"

"EVERY time you--"

"I can't believe your friends--"

"I don't believe you Malfoy--"

"What is the meaning of this racket?" the bickering couple stopped and finally noticed Professor McGonagall.

"Professor! We're sorry. We were just..."

"Never mind, Miss Granger. I know very well what you were doing. Now stop disrupting the whole castle!"

"Yes ma'am." Hermione bowed her head in embarrassment and wheeled Malfoy away with her.

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