For What It's Worth
~hotsleekeyz~
Chapter 4
Breathing You
**************************************************************************** ***************
Hermione stood appalled at what she heard. She didn't know how to react. The first emotion that was evoked in her was pity. . . but to examine Malcolm's words further, she thought whether Malcolm deserved it or not.
"Malcolm, how could you say that you were scarred? In what way? I don't understand this. We don't have any more connection than being a teacher- student and acquaintances, but, isn't SCARRED too much of a term?"
Malcolm stared straight into Hermione's eyes. "Hermione, I saw the goodness you possess. You are a very nice person and I seem to be at ease with you around. The moment I met you in the library last night, there was something in my heart that dictated my mind what I felt. I like you Hermione though in that short span of time that we've known each other, I reckon I already love you. You may say it's foolish, I don't mind. But honestly, I've never seen such an angel like you. . . too beautiful, too gorgeous, too---"
"You know, what you are feeling is anything but love. If it's only physical attraction that binds me to you then forget that we've ever known each other"
Malcolm snorted. "You know Hermione, you're funny"
"Excuse me?"
"You don't understand what I mean because you are not ready to love me just yet. Just you wait and see, you'll be mine before you could ever say NO"
Hermione flashed a disgusted look. "What? You think that I'm too low that you could just easily take me as yours in a snap of a finger?"
"Precisely." Malcolm smirked a familiar smirk and brushed some strands of his brown hair away from his face.
"You are too full of yourself! In fact, you are like Malfoy. If I knew you two any better, I'd say you came from the same tree! If you'll excuse me professor but I reckon I need to go back in", snapped Hermione as she stormed her way inside the room in anger.
Malcolm smirked yet again. . .The famous Malfoy smirk.
**************************************************************************** ***************
Draco and Malcolm were in the latter's office arguing on a VERY significant topic. . .
"So, BROTHER, it's the Mudblood you're friends with. If I may say so, you're eyeing her like a beast who found its prey", spat Draco indignantly at his older brother.
"Would it matter to you Draco? I recall that you wouldn't want to get near me nor would you like to meddle in my affairs. Now why are you suddenly so interested in my life? Funny how your mind works", snapped Malcolm with a blank stare at Draco.
"Funny it may seem but I reckon it's you that is worth laughing at. How could you ever stoop low from your position only to get a girl like that? You're getting too cool with her. Being a person who lived with her for the entirety of our wizarding school lives, I know her and that is exactly the way she would want to be pissed off, not impressed"
"Ah. . . so you're claiming that YOU know HER? Pardon me brother but I see that she wouldn't come with the sort of you. And by the way, why were you with her outside the classroom when you were supposed to be inside just as I instructed you to do so?"
"I told you. We suddenly decided to have our moment for a while. You know, kiss and then make out for a while---the works. And apparently, you don't know how that goes about in her mind. You've to live longer with her to know how HER mind works. Complicated I'd say. And from the looks of it, I'm way ahead of you"
Draco smirked so evilly that his face could've broken a mirror.
"So you're telling me that you've feelings for her", stated Malcolm rather narratedly than in question.
"Oh no brother, you're mistaken! I, as such, have a mutual relationship with Miss Granger"
"Let me confirm that with her"
"No need. It seems pretty obvious by what we were doing outside, what WE have at the moment. And could I say I hear jealousy coming?"
Malcolm remained silent.
"Malcolm, if I were you, I'd use another style on her. Yours is way passé. If she finds that style in you, she'd say she'd seen that before. . . only because it already worked before, of course, I used that style to lure her into my net"
"Whatever Draco. As long as Hermione denies the fact that there is something between you two, I will not believe a word you say. I put this challenge up brother. You and I will compete on who between us two should have the right to win her. No rules, no limitations"
Malcolm extended his hand over to Draco. Draco looked at it for a while and took it, pressing his fingers tightly at Malcolm's hand. Both donned the Malfoy smirk.
"Pardon me Malcolm but for tonight you lose", said Draco in a matter-of- fact voice.
"Why would I?"
"Because you've put me up with her for detention. That's my point against you. If you'll excuse me, good day Professor Trent"
Draco turned around and walked away with yet a triumphant grin on his lips.
**************************************************************************** ***************
Draco was sitting over the metal body of the beds at the hospital wing. Hermione, on the other hand was sweeping the floor.
"Excuse me Malfoy, but have you not an intention to help me out here? We've been in here for more than half an hour and you haven't even moved an inch from where you're sitting. For your information, you don't have the right to just sit there and wait for your house elves to arrive, as they wouldn't come to do the work for you. I as such, don't do this at home but since I'm a nice girl who's a victim to your stupid deed of putting me up to your lie to Professor Trent, I'm doing my part of the job and I'm wishing you'll do yours. I don't enjoy paying for an offense I didn't commit, so if I were you, I'd get down on my knees right now and start scrubbing before I get a huge dark mark around my eye", spat Hermione with a threatening glare.
Draco just played his smirk.
"Do you reckon what I said was funny?" asked Hermione irritated.
"Nothing. YOU are funny Granger"
"Hn"
"Don't breathe on me now Granger. I remember having helped you with your arm back at DADA class. Now I see you have not the right to spat at me crazy without hearing my side of it"
Hermione rolled her eyes and continued scrubbing.
About thirty seconds came in between before Hermione asked again. "Aren't you going to help me out here ferret boy?"
"No"
Hermione glared at Draco yet again and threw the dirty rag away. "Fine! I'm tired already and I want to rest. Besides, I should've been down with my books right now and you've just ruined my schedule you filthy albino! Such ingrate!"
Hermione stood at once and walked towards the door when Draco spoke. "Granger, tell me honestly, do you expect me to get down on my knees and clean this filthy place? That is servant stuff. Malfoys never do those sort of stuff"
"Well, honestly too Malfoy, I AM actually expecting you to get down on your knees and start scrubbing because it's all your fault why I'm stranded with your stupid face in the infirmary at this time of the night. Well I'm sorry if I couldn't stay up too late as you do! I'm not the type of person who's up in the night for reason of having pleasure in worldly desires--- I'm doing my job around here and I have to manage my homework done and there's the finals I've got to worry about and here I am scrubbing the floor for an offense I did not do!"
Draco didn't say another word. He went down on one knee and took a rag in his hand. He stared at Hermione. "You want me to do servant stuff? Then you'll get it Ms. Granger"
Draco, though terribly disgusted, tried to look as blank as he could. He dipped the rag into the pail of water and put it down on the floor. He started scrubbing it.
Hermione stood greatly appalled. She thought she was dreaming the moment she saw Draco get down on one knee and grab a soiled piece of cloth. She immediately went over to Draco without realizing why she was in a rush to get there. She grabbed Draco by his arm and pulled him up. "Okay, stop it"
Draco raised a brow in question. "I reckon you wanted me to do part of my job"
"Yes, yes, I know!"
"Then why are you stopping me now?"
"Because you look stupid!"
Draco acted innocent. "Stupid? Me, cleaning the floor---STUPID?"
"Exactly"
"Now I don't really know how to understand you girls. First, you say something and in a second you take it back. Girls. . ."
"Fine! Fine!"
Hermione walked away again without saying another word. Draco shouted from behind, "Where are you going?"
"Oh, do you mean, where are WE going?"
"We?"
"Yes, we. Malfoy, we're not doing this because nothing happened between us in DADA. We just got to make Professor Trent accept our reason for staying in the dark. I am not going to do anything that I shouldn't be liable for and so are you"
Draco smirked. "You just don't want to see me do servant stuff"
"Well, yes, partly"
"You care for me"
"Oh dream on Malfoy! It's not going to happen!"
"It just did"
Draco smirked again as they both headed to Malcolm's office.
**************************************************************************** ***************
"So, you're asking me to believe that sort of excuse. If Ms. Granger did get hurt, she should have been in the infirmary, and not in the shadows with you, Mr. Malfoy", snapped Malcolm angrily. From the looks of his face, he's worn a frown too long from when he saw Hermione with Draco at DADA.
"But of course Professor Trent. I reckon you wouldn't really want Granger to be doing stuff like that---cleaning the floor and the metal frames for beds. I mean, come on Malcolm, that's SO not you", spat Draco.
Hermione immediately shifted her eyes from Malcolm to Draco. //Did he just call Malcolm by his first name? And when did Malfoy ever knew anything about Malcolm?//
"As punishment, I believe that it is but fitting for her to be doing such"
"Well, there shouldn't be any punishment at all, PROFESSOR. As I've told you, nothing happened"
"And why did you put me up with a lie? You told me that you were getting down with something and now you want me to believe that you were just there to hide from the rest of the class so that they won't see you cure Ms. Granger?"
"Precisely"
"Um, excuse us, Mr. Malfoy but I need to have a moment with Ms. Granger"
Draco blankly stood from the seat and turned away towards the classroom down the stairs. He left Hermione, who was terribly flushed in front of Malcolm.
"Forgive me Hermione, I didn't believe you"
"As I see it, there is nothing for us to talk about Malcolm"
"And I'm sorry for being too fresh. . . you know---I didn't really mean what I said about getting you that easily. I know it would be hard to have you"
"You speak as if I'm just an object. How could I like someone like you who doesn't know how to respect a woman?"
"I told you I'm sorry! I mean it Hermione. You saw how I reacted when I reprimanded you during class. I care for you, and I've told you so frankly that I love you. I wouldn't be feeling this way---I wouldn't get jealous if I don't have a bit of a feeling for you. What I'm telling you is just truth. I swear"
"Then next time, you make sure how to treat me well if you want to make a good impression. I might acknowledge THIS if you'll just change. Honestly, Malcolm you have an attitude problem. . . Just like Malfoy"
"Don't you ever compare me to him again. There is no point of comparison"
"Malcolm, if you continue treating me as if I'm inferior to you, you might as well swallow your words back. By the way, why am I putting you up with that? I'm not interested in you anyways! If you want, you could look up more students the following days in your classes. Surely, you'll get someone who'd deserve such arrogant behavior"
Hermione stood up from her seat and started to walk towards the door when Malcolm's held hers. Malcolm didn't let go of Hermione's arm and even pulled her closer to him.
"No one tells me how I should treat her. My arrogance must be too suffocating for you. . . well Ms. Granger, I'll let you die in it"
In a split second, Malcolm locked his lips with Hermione's. Hermione's eyes grew wide as she pushed Malcolm away. She got even more infuriated when Malcolm took her in a tight embrace and seemed to not let go of her.
"Malcolm, stop it!" yelled Hermione pleadingly.
"You're not getting anywhere Ms. Granger"
Malcolm buried his face into Hermione's and plunged into her lips madly. Hermione struggled to get free but to no avail.
"Malcolm, let me go before I tell the Headmaster about this!"
"You don't frighten me one bit. I know what I want---and I get what I want"
Hermione pounded her tight fists onto Malcolm's chest but Malcolm continued kissing at Hermione's neck, licking the smooth very slowly in circular motion.
Hermione was on the verge of crying. She knew what harassment was. She thought it only existed on muggle stories. Never did it daunt on her that the mage world is not very much different from muggle.
Too soon, Hermione's tears fell from her cheeks. She was crying and pleading both at the same time. She was already without strength to struggle any further. "Please Malcolm, I beg you. . ."
Malcolm continued tasting more of Hermione. He wanted every inch of her.
In between the series of lustful kisses that Malcolm planted on Hermione's virgin skin, he heard mad footsteps headed their way.
"So this is why you wanted me to get away!"
Draco yelled in rage as he caught Malcolm's robe and pulled him away from Hermione. He immediately put a strong fist on Malcolm and Malcolm was almost thrown to the floor. He rubbed his temple where Draco hit him hard while he glared at his brother maliciously.
"I never expected you to be that strong Draco. . ."
"Well now you know!" yelled Draco as he grabbed Hermione's hand tight in his and took her farther from Malcolm.
"Hn. Funny what you can do. You are just as stupid as I am"
"Well not as stupid as you are! I may be stupid but I won't stoop that low just to win a girl. Not that way Malcolm. I know how to respect a woman. Pity you, your father didn't teach you well some manners!"
Hermione cut in at once. "Stop it Malfoy! He's a teacher!"
"Oh no Granger. I won't let this pass. He's done you wrong and he should know what he deserves in return!"
Draco released Hermione's hand and grabbed Malcolm's collar and punched him again. Malcolm fought back with his own fist but Draco was faster and was able to duck and punch Malcolm instead.
"Stop it Malfoy! You'll get in trouble!'' screamed Hermione.
"No. Malcolm, you've brought much disgrace to the family already and I will not allow you to add more filth to it. Father should be informed of this at once!"
Without saying another word, Draco took Hermione's hand again and led her out of Malcolm's office.
**************************************************************************** ***************
Draco and Hermione were up at the Astronomy Tower after walking to what seemed like a trip headed nowhere. They just continued walking until they reached that spot.
They both sat down on the floor, resting their backs at the wall. Draco and Hermione stared blankly into the sky from an open window.
"Are you all right Granger? You seem to me still a bit shaky", said Draco in a soft, sincere voice that Hermione first heard in the entirety of their stay at Hogwarts.
Hermione turned his head towards Draco. "I'm just a bit cold. I'm fine, thanks"
Without saying a thing, Draco took off his robe and put it around Hermione. He even rested his arm over Hermione's shoulder. "Feeling better?"
"Yeah, thanks." Hermione took her silence for a while when she continued, "Um, Malfoy, I---"
"It's okay. Don't worry about it"
"No. I have to thank you. I really appreciate you saving me back there. I should've been dead screwed up if you didn't come back for me"
"I just did what I had to do"
Silence.
"Um, Malfoy, if you don't mind me asking, how are you related with Professor Trent? You seem to know him quite well"
"I, uhh---he's a family friend, if you could call him that"
Hermione, already tired, fitted her way closer to Draco, melding her body with his. She felt secure in his arms.
"Thanks"
"No problem"
Draco alone looked at the sky before them. It was too beautiful---the stars shined brightly, as the moon shed its light to anything that it could touch. Too perfect---as Hermione was there in his arms.
"Granger?"
"Hmm?" sounded Hermione rather sleepily. In truth, her eyes were already shut.
"I need to tell you something"
"If it's about that pervert, I don't want to hear it"
"It's about you and me. Parkinson put me up to a dare of winning you over. You know, the usual devious stuff that I've always been put into dares to. I didn't give my answer to them whether I agreed to the challenge or not, though in truth, I put it as a self-challenge for me if I could win someone like you"
"Hm?" sounded Hermione more lazily. She was already half-asleep.
"And apparently, since we were faced with this situation, all that went through my mind is that I want to take care of you. . . look after you. . .I want you to be treated well. I can't promise you that but I swear I'll try. . . If you would only allow me to"
Hermione was already asleep that she wasn't able to reply. Draco lowered his head to smell Hermione as her head was rested on his strong shoulder. He took his thumb and forefinger and cupped Hermione's chin with it. He raised Hermione's head while she was asleep and he placed his soft lips onto hers.
Draco kissed Hermione very kindly. He was about to pull away when Hermione went after to kiss Draco on his lips. He was surprised, nonetheless, he returned Hermione's sleepy kiss and held Hermione's cheek in his warm palm.
When at last they pulled away, Hermione slowly opened her eyes and smiled an angelic smile. "I don't know Draco, but I reckon I'm already breathing you. . ." She leaned in for another kiss as Draco reciprocated it with immeasurable delight.
~Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns characters, setting, etc. Except: the plot is mine.~
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! I didn't plan on this setting though I think it'll work out fine from here. All I've got to do is get some motivation to write more chapters as the ideas are already up in my head. We'll take it nice and slow from here then we'll add on some accounts of the deed very soon. . . *evilsmirk*
Chapter 4
Breathing You
**************************************************************************** ***************
Hermione stood appalled at what she heard. She didn't know how to react. The first emotion that was evoked in her was pity. . . but to examine Malcolm's words further, she thought whether Malcolm deserved it or not.
"Malcolm, how could you say that you were scarred? In what way? I don't understand this. We don't have any more connection than being a teacher- student and acquaintances, but, isn't SCARRED too much of a term?"
Malcolm stared straight into Hermione's eyes. "Hermione, I saw the goodness you possess. You are a very nice person and I seem to be at ease with you around. The moment I met you in the library last night, there was something in my heart that dictated my mind what I felt. I like you Hermione though in that short span of time that we've known each other, I reckon I already love you. You may say it's foolish, I don't mind. But honestly, I've never seen such an angel like you. . . too beautiful, too gorgeous, too---"
"You know, what you are feeling is anything but love. If it's only physical attraction that binds me to you then forget that we've ever known each other"
Malcolm snorted. "You know Hermione, you're funny"
"Excuse me?"
"You don't understand what I mean because you are not ready to love me just yet. Just you wait and see, you'll be mine before you could ever say NO"
Hermione flashed a disgusted look. "What? You think that I'm too low that you could just easily take me as yours in a snap of a finger?"
"Precisely." Malcolm smirked a familiar smirk and brushed some strands of his brown hair away from his face.
"You are too full of yourself! In fact, you are like Malfoy. If I knew you two any better, I'd say you came from the same tree! If you'll excuse me professor but I reckon I need to go back in", snapped Hermione as she stormed her way inside the room in anger.
Malcolm smirked yet again. . .The famous Malfoy smirk.
**************************************************************************** ***************
Draco and Malcolm were in the latter's office arguing on a VERY significant topic. . .
"So, BROTHER, it's the Mudblood you're friends with. If I may say so, you're eyeing her like a beast who found its prey", spat Draco indignantly at his older brother.
"Would it matter to you Draco? I recall that you wouldn't want to get near me nor would you like to meddle in my affairs. Now why are you suddenly so interested in my life? Funny how your mind works", snapped Malcolm with a blank stare at Draco.
"Funny it may seem but I reckon it's you that is worth laughing at. How could you ever stoop low from your position only to get a girl like that? You're getting too cool with her. Being a person who lived with her for the entirety of our wizarding school lives, I know her and that is exactly the way she would want to be pissed off, not impressed"
"Ah. . . so you're claiming that YOU know HER? Pardon me brother but I see that she wouldn't come with the sort of you. And by the way, why were you with her outside the classroom when you were supposed to be inside just as I instructed you to do so?"
"I told you. We suddenly decided to have our moment for a while. You know, kiss and then make out for a while---the works. And apparently, you don't know how that goes about in her mind. You've to live longer with her to know how HER mind works. Complicated I'd say. And from the looks of it, I'm way ahead of you"
Draco smirked so evilly that his face could've broken a mirror.
"So you're telling me that you've feelings for her", stated Malcolm rather narratedly than in question.
"Oh no brother, you're mistaken! I, as such, have a mutual relationship with Miss Granger"
"Let me confirm that with her"
"No need. It seems pretty obvious by what we were doing outside, what WE have at the moment. And could I say I hear jealousy coming?"
Malcolm remained silent.
"Malcolm, if I were you, I'd use another style on her. Yours is way passé. If she finds that style in you, she'd say she'd seen that before. . . only because it already worked before, of course, I used that style to lure her into my net"
"Whatever Draco. As long as Hermione denies the fact that there is something between you two, I will not believe a word you say. I put this challenge up brother. You and I will compete on who between us two should have the right to win her. No rules, no limitations"
Malcolm extended his hand over to Draco. Draco looked at it for a while and took it, pressing his fingers tightly at Malcolm's hand. Both donned the Malfoy smirk.
"Pardon me Malcolm but for tonight you lose", said Draco in a matter-of- fact voice.
"Why would I?"
"Because you've put me up with her for detention. That's my point against you. If you'll excuse me, good day Professor Trent"
Draco turned around and walked away with yet a triumphant grin on his lips.
**************************************************************************** ***************
Draco was sitting over the metal body of the beds at the hospital wing. Hermione, on the other hand was sweeping the floor.
"Excuse me Malfoy, but have you not an intention to help me out here? We've been in here for more than half an hour and you haven't even moved an inch from where you're sitting. For your information, you don't have the right to just sit there and wait for your house elves to arrive, as they wouldn't come to do the work for you. I as such, don't do this at home but since I'm a nice girl who's a victim to your stupid deed of putting me up to your lie to Professor Trent, I'm doing my part of the job and I'm wishing you'll do yours. I don't enjoy paying for an offense I didn't commit, so if I were you, I'd get down on my knees right now and start scrubbing before I get a huge dark mark around my eye", spat Hermione with a threatening glare.
Draco just played his smirk.
"Do you reckon what I said was funny?" asked Hermione irritated.
"Nothing. YOU are funny Granger"
"Hn"
"Don't breathe on me now Granger. I remember having helped you with your arm back at DADA class. Now I see you have not the right to spat at me crazy without hearing my side of it"
Hermione rolled her eyes and continued scrubbing.
About thirty seconds came in between before Hermione asked again. "Aren't you going to help me out here ferret boy?"
"No"
Hermione glared at Draco yet again and threw the dirty rag away. "Fine! I'm tired already and I want to rest. Besides, I should've been down with my books right now and you've just ruined my schedule you filthy albino! Such ingrate!"
Hermione stood at once and walked towards the door when Draco spoke. "Granger, tell me honestly, do you expect me to get down on my knees and clean this filthy place? That is servant stuff. Malfoys never do those sort of stuff"
"Well, honestly too Malfoy, I AM actually expecting you to get down on your knees and start scrubbing because it's all your fault why I'm stranded with your stupid face in the infirmary at this time of the night. Well I'm sorry if I couldn't stay up too late as you do! I'm not the type of person who's up in the night for reason of having pleasure in worldly desires--- I'm doing my job around here and I have to manage my homework done and there's the finals I've got to worry about and here I am scrubbing the floor for an offense I did not do!"
Draco didn't say another word. He went down on one knee and took a rag in his hand. He stared at Hermione. "You want me to do servant stuff? Then you'll get it Ms. Granger"
Draco, though terribly disgusted, tried to look as blank as he could. He dipped the rag into the pail of water and put it down on the floor. He started scrubbing it.
Hermione stood greatly appalled. She thought she was dreaming the moment she saw Draco get down on one knee and grab a soiled piece of cloth. She immediately went over to Draco without realizing why she was in a rush to get there. She grabbed Draco by his arm and pulled him up. "Okay, stop it"
Draco raised a brow in question. "I reckon you wanted me to do part of my job"
"Yes, yes, I know!"
"Then why are you stopping me now?"
"Because you look stupid!"
Draco acted innocent. "Stupid? Me, cleaning the floor---STUPID?"
"Exactly"
"Now I don't really know how to understand you girls. First, you say something and in a second you take it back. Girls. . ."
"Fine! Fine!"
Hermione walked away again without saying another word. Draco shouted from behind, "Where are you going?"
"Oh, do you mean, where are WE going?"
"We?"
"Yes, we. Malfoy, we're not doing this because nothing happened between us in DADA. We just got to make Professor Trent accept our reason for staying in the dark. I am not going to do anything that I shouldn't be liable for and so are you"
Draco smirked. "You just don't want to see me do servant stuff"
"Well, yes, partly"
"You care for me"
"Oh dream on Malfoy! It's not going to happen!"
"It just did"
Draco smirked again as they both headed to Malcolm's office.
**************************************************************************** ***************
"So, you're asking me to believe that sort of excuse. If Ms. Granger did get hurt, she should have been in the infirmary, and not in the shadows with you, Mr. Malfoy", snapped Malcolm angrily. From the looks of his face, he's worn a frown too long from when he saw Hermione with Draco at DADA.
"But of course Professor Trent. I reckon you wouldn't really want Granger to be doing stuff like that---cleaning the floor and the metal frames for beds. I mean, come on Malcolm, that's SO not you", spat Draco.
Hermione immediately shifted her eyes from Malcolm to Draco. //Did he just call Malcolm by his first name? And when did Malfoy ever knew anything about Malcolm?//
"As punishment, I believe that it is but fitting for her to be doing such"
"Well, there shouldn't be any punishment at all, PROFESSOR. As I've told you, nothing happened"
"And why did you put me up with a lie? You told me that you were getting down with something and now you want me to believe that you were just there to hide from the rest of the class so that they won't see you cure Ms. Granger?"
"Precisely"
"Um, excuse us, Mr. Malfoy but I need to have a moment with Ms. Granger"
Draco blankly stood from the seat and turned away towards the classroom down the stairs. He left Hermione, who was terribly flushed in front of Malcolm.
"Forgive me Hermione, I didn't believe you"
"As I see it, there is nothing for us to talk about Malcolm"
"And I'm sorry for being too fresh. . . you know---I didn't really mean what I said about getting you that easily. I know it would be hard to have you"
"You speak as if I'm just an object. How could I like someone like you who doesn't know how to respect a woman?"
"I told you I'm sorry! I mean it Hermione. You saw how I reacted when I reprimanded you during class. I care for you, and I've told you so frankly that I love you. I wouldn't be feeling this way---I wouldn't get jealous if I don't have a bit of a feeling for you. What I'm telling you is just truth. I swear"
"Then next time, you make sure how to treat me well if you want to make a good impression. I might acknowledge THIS if you'll just change. Honestly, Malcolm you have an attitude problem. . . Just like Malfoy"
"Don't you ever compare me to him again. There is no point of comparison"
"Malcolm, if you continue treating me as if I'm inferior to you, you might as well swallow your words back. By the way, why am I putting you up with that? I'm not interested in you anyways! If you want, you could look up more students the following days in your classes. Surely, you'll get someone who'd deserve such arrogant behavior"
Hermione stood up from her seat and started to walk towards the door when Malcolm's held hers. Malcolm didn't let go of Hermione's arm and even pulled her closer to him.
"No one tells me how I should treat her. My arrogance must be too suffocating for you. . . well Ms. Granger, I'll let you die in it"
In a split second, Malcolm locked his lips with Hermione's. Hermione's eyes grew wide as she pushed Malcolm away. She got even more infuriated when Malcolm took her in a tight embrace and seemed to not let go of her.
"Malcolm, stop it!" yelled Hermione pleadingly.
"You're not getting anywhere Ms. Granger"
Malcolm buried his face into Hermione's and plunged into her lips madly. Hermione struggled to get free but to no avail.
"Malcolm, let me go before I tell the Headmaster about this!"
"You don't frighten me one bit. I know what I want---and I get what I want"
Hermione pounded her tight fists onto Malcolm's chest but Malcolm continued kissing at Hermione's neck, licking the smooth very slowly in circular motion.
Hermione was on the verge of crying. She knew what harassment was. She thought it only existed on muggle stories. Never did it daunt on her that the mage world is not very much different from muggle.
Too soon, Hermione's tears fell from her cheeks. She was crying and pleading both at the same time. She was already without strength to struggle any further. "Please Malcolm, I beg you. . ."
Malcolm continued tasting more of Hermione. He wanted every inch of her.
In between the series of lustful kisses that Malcolm planted on Hermione's virgin skin, he heard mad footsteps headed their way.
"So this is why you wanted me to get away!"
Draco yelled in rage as he caught Malcolm's robe and pulled him away from Hermione. He immediately put a strong fist on Malcolm and Malcolm was almost thrown to the floor. He rubbed his temple where Draco hit him hard while he glared at his brother maliciously.
"I never expected you to be that strong Draco. . ."
"Well now you know!" yelled Draco as he grabbed Hermione's hand tight in his and took her farther from Malcolm.
"Hn. Funny what you can do. You are just as stupid as I am"
"Well not as stupid as you are! I may be stupid but I won't stoop that low just to win a girl. Not that way Malcolm. I know how to respect a woman. Pity you, your father didn't teach you well some manners!"
Hermione cut in at once. "Stop it Malfoy! He's a teacher!"
"Oh no Granger. I won't let this pass. He's done you wrong and he should know what he deserves in return!"
Draco released Hermione's hand and grabbed Malcolm's collar and punched him again. Malcolm fought back with his own fist but Draco was faster and was able to duck and punch Malcolm instead.
"Stop it Malfoy! You'll get in trouble!'' screamed Hermione.
"No. Malcolm, you've brought much disgrace to the family already and I will not allow you to add more filth to it. Father should be informed of this at once!"
Without saying another word, Draco took Hermione's hand again and led her out of Malcolm's office.
**************************************************************************** ***************
Draco and Hermione were up at the Astronomy Tower after walking to what seemed like a trip headed nowhere. They just continued walking until they reached that spot.
They both sat down on the floor, resting their backs at the wall. Draco and Hermione stared blankly into the sky from an open window.
"Are you all right Granger? You seem to me still a bit shaky", said Draco in a soft, sincere voice that Hermione first heard in the entirety of their stay at Hogwarts.
Hermione turned his head towards Draco. "I'm just a bit cold. I'm fine, thanks"
Without saying a thing, Draco took off his robe and put it around Hermione. He even rested his arm over Hermione's shoulder. "Feeling better?"
"Yeah, thanks." Hermione took her silence for a while when she continued, "Um, Malfoy, I---"
"It's okay. Don't worry about it"
"No. I have to thank you. I really appreciate you saving me back there. I should've been dead screwed up if you didn't come back for me"
"I just did what I had to do"
Silence.
"Um, Malfoy, if you don't mind me asking, how are you related with Professor Trent? You seem to know him quite well"
"I, uhh---he's a family friend, if you could call him that"
Hermione, already tired, fitted her way closer to Draco, melding her body with his. She felt secure in his arms.
"Thanks"
"No problem"
Draco alone looked at the sky before them. It was too beautiful---the stars shined brightly, as the moon shed its light to anything that it could touch. Too perfect---as Hermione was there in his arms.
"Granger?"
"Hmm?" sounded Hermione rather sleepily. In truth, her eyes were already shut.
"I need to tell you something"
"If it's about that pervert, I don't want to hear it"
"It's about you and me. Parkinson put me up to a dare of winning you over. You know, the usual devious stuff that I've always been put into dares to. I didn't give my answer to them whether I agreed to the challenge or not, though in truth, I put it as a self-challenge for me if I could win someone like you"
"Hm?" sounded Hermione more lazily. She was already half-asleep.
"And apparently, since we were faced with this situation, all that went through my mind is that I want to take care of you. . . look after you. . .I want you to be treated well. I can't promise you that but I swear I'll try. . . If you would only allow me to"
Hermione was already asleep that she wasn't able to reply. Draco lowered his head to smell Hermione as her head was rested on his strong shoulder. He took his thumb and forefinger and cupped Hermione's chin with it. He raised Hermione's head while she was asleep and he placed his soft lips onto hers.
Draco kissed Hermione very kindly. He was about to pull away when Hermione went after to kiss Draco on his lips. He was surprised, nonetheless, he returned Hermione's sleepy kiss and held Hermione's cheek in his warm palm.
When at last they pulled away, Hermione slowly opened her eyes and smiled an angelic smile. "I don't know Draco, but I reckon I'm already breathing you. . ." She leaned in for another kiss as Draco reciprocated it with immeasurable delight.
~Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns characters, setting, etc. Except: the plot is mine.~
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! I didn't plan on this setting though I think it'll work out fine from here. All I've got to do is get some motivation to write more chapters as the ideas are already up in my head. We'll take it nice and slow from here then we'll add on some accounts of the deed very soon. . . *evilsmirk*
