Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters.
Taming Your Will
Chapter 4
"Those were his exact words." The headmaster asked again, slowly processing the events Severus Snape had told him. Only nodding towards the older man, Severus slumped into his sit, not caring for his usual regal appearance.
Hours seem to pass before Professor Dumbledore said a thing. And when he did, his statement left Snape speechless. Eyes twinkling with sudden epiphany, Albus brushed his long white beard gazing towards his younger companion. Realizing that Severus must still be baffled by his words, he softly spoke again.
"Do you not agree with what I said?" His tone was gentle like a father teaching his son.
Gazing upward, Severus finally made eye contact with the headmaster. Swallowing the large lump in his throat, he replied roughly. "No, I understand what you mean. Its just the way you said it, remanded me of someone else."
"Oh? I simple said to 'join his plan."
"Albus, last time I heard those words, I received this," Snape pointed at his tattoo. "And forever damnation." Desperately he leaned forward, placing his head between his hands. His temple was throbbing and the world seemed to be spinning. Here he was explaining the twisted plot of his old school chum, while his mentor sat listening in his pajamas. Severus didn't know if he should be laughing or crying at the current moment.
Luckily he was saved with a burst of flame besides them. Turning towards the fireplace, the head of Remus Lupin appeared. Replacing his anguish expression, Severus gave his best sneer.
"Hello Remus, how is everything going?" Ablus greeted like it was a common occurrence to be floo at 4:00 in the morning.
"As best as the situation allows it." Remus responded not bothering to even look at Snape's direction. "I received an owl from Harry today and thought it would be best if I shared the information with you."
"Is his scar hurting?" Professor Dumbledore's eyes instantly dimmed at the thought.
"No," Remus shook his head, "but part of me wishes it was instead." He only continued his speech before answering the confused expressions on both men's faces. "It appears Hermione has an unwanted admirer of some sort. While I never intervene in Harry's personal affair with Hermione, I definitely know this "admirer" is not an easy thing to deal with."
"Lucius," Severus said, realizing to late that the comment was made vocal.
"How did you know? Harry, Merlin only knows how, found out that Malfoy was interested in Hermione." Remus stated clearly shocked.
"We recently just found the news out ourselves Remus. But thank you for informing us as well. Now that we know Lucius reason in being in Hogwarts, it makes the future a much easier battle."
"Ablus, I don't know what you have planned. Or how Snape is going to play a role in this? But I have to warn you, Harry will be trouble." Remus' tone seemed to imply something more than a dear friend's safety. "Ever since Sirius and those random attacks and killing sprees, Harry's been unstable. Sure, he might seem fine out side, but inside he's a ticking bomb. The smiles, girlfriends, and even Quidditch are just things that keep him normal."
"I do not see how Ms. Granger would have any effect on Potter's mental health." Snape drawled, annoyed at the usual Gryffindor dramatics.
"You have no idea Snape." Remus gave a deep growl resembling his werewolf state. "Hermione is Harry's normal. Someone is now threatening the only thing that seems stable in his life. Wouldn't you react drastically if someone was tampering with your life?"
"Even if he's the boy-who-lived, he's still a boy, Lupin."
"Snape, what were you doing at 17?" An eerie pause had fallen between the three men, as the situation of one thing grew into something even bigger.
"I'll keep my eye on Potter. And Lucius will not be a problem. Albus and I have plans on what to do." Severus replied after images of his reckless 17-year-old self-swirled in his head. "Just keep him from interfering and playing the hero."
"I'll try my best."
"Which will be fine," Ablus spoke, making both men jump in surprise. "I think this will do gentlemen, for it is late and I still need my beauty sleep." He smiled showing off rows of pearly white teeth.
After a few polite farewells, Severus found himself staring at the grim face of Ablus again. Sighing to himself, Albus looked away from his mantle to speak solemnly to his friend.
"Do not tell any one of this plan yet. We must keep their reactions genuine or Lucius will not believe it. As for Harry, I will speak with him." The headmaster stopped thinking over what he just said. "Actually I will talk with William about it. He would be better about these things with Harry."
"Are you going to tell Weasley the plan than?"
"No, I'll just say Remus is concerned with Harry's obsession in protecting Ms. Granger from any other attentions. I am sure he will understand what I mean from his closeness with Harry."
"Let us hope the boy listens." Snape grunted fully feeling the pounding in his head.
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"Hermione, could I have a moment of your time?" Justin asked politely as the Great Hall was filled with students enjoying their breakfast. Giving a short kick towards Ron, Hermione turned smiling at the Hufflepuff.
"Of course Justin," she stood following him towards the doors. Aware of the murmurs starting behind them, Hermione quicken her pace. Once away from the noisy minds of Hogwarts, Justin dared to speak.
"Um…well…I wanted to ask you if you were going to Hogsmeades next weekend?" He fumbled through his words like a child scared of his own shadow.
"Justin, are you asking me on a date?" Hermione felt her insides tumble with butterflies.
Eyes wide, he blushed immediately from her comment. "I…well would you go out with me?" Justin rushed through; feeling like his whole face was burning. Shifting his weight awkwardly, he looked up staring eager eyed into Hermione's deep dark eyes.
"Justin, I would love to go to Hogsmeade with you." She paused him from speaking, with excitement. "And Ron can go with Hannah, while Harry's with Padma. It can be a group thing. Being surround by friends before the exams."
"Friends?" His voice softened, openly showing his disappointment.
"Yes, because we're all such good friends. Don't you think so?" Hermione felt awfully but knew this was the only way to get her point across.
"Yeah, of course I do." Justin cleared his throat, while glancing at his watch. "Well I'll mention it to Erin too. The more the merry right?" He took a step back separating him self from her. "I'll see you later Hermione."
"Later," she called out, as he disappeared into the corridor. Sighing to her self, Hermione quickly returned into the Great Hall. Not standing to disappoint people, she stabbed her ham, still on her plate.
"What happened?" Harry whispered into her ear, while Ron was arguing with his sister Ginny about her current boyfriends.
"Justin, asked me on a date." She placed her fork down, leaning unhappily against her right palm. "I told him to make it a big group thing. You know, a bunch of friends getting together."
"So basically you told him, you just wanted to be friends."
"Yes," she rolled her eyes. "You better not be like Ron and say I need to date more and give him a chance nonsense."
"Nene," Harry pressed his forehead against hers. "Would I ever do that to you?"
"No," she giggled from his small brushes against her arm. "Harry, that tickles."
"It made you smile though," he grinned making several 4th years sigh.
"Prat," Hermione punched his shoulder.
"Bookworm," he playfully tugged her hair.
"When did you get back?" Ron's voiced interrupted their mock fight.
"Several minutes ago," Hermione pinched Harry's cheek, stopping him from tickling her waist.
"Oh," Ron still carried the look of confusion. But his eyes then grew wide in excitement, "So did Justin ask you?"
"Ron, please tell me you didn't set this up?" Hermione threw a glare rivaling Professor Snape's.
"I…hehe…well Mione the boy has been mooning over you for ages. I just told him to go for it. I mean what's the worst that can happen. You turning him into a hairless badger."
"Ron," Hermione's voice seemed to tighten in anger. "You know how I hate being put in those situations. Its awkward and embarrassing afterwards."
"Only if you say no," he retorted. "Oh Mione don't tell me you said no. You…you didn't give him the speech about friends and stuff. Hermione the boy's in love with you." Ron threw his arms up in annoyance.
"How can he be in love with me when he hardly knows me? Ron, I love you to death, but you really need to stop meddling in my love life. When I'm ready to date, I will. I don't you need playing cupid."
"Mione, you're 17. Books and school are not everything this life has to offer."
"Well it's certainly good enough for me Ronald Weasley. But I wouldn't expect you to understand since your broomstick leads you everywhere." Gasps were heard around them, as the prefect perfect Granger made a blunt innuendo. Blushing madly from his friend's comment, Ron did the best thing he knew. He left the argument.
Completely humiliated from her own outburst, Hermione buried her head into her hands. Gently touching her shoulder, Harry spoke softly.
"I'll go get him. Can you make it to class?"
"Yes," she murmured. Feeling Harry's lips on her forehead, he left her to find his other friend.
"Don't mind Ron, Hermione." Ginny said, reaching her hand taking the older girl's. "You know how he is. The git's thoughtless at times, but that's just because he loves us."
"How can you so easily brush him off after he spent the whole morning bothering you about Calvin and Derek?"
"Growing up with six brothers, you learn to put fights aside." She smiled showing off her lovely personality. "Boys don't dwell on arguments too much. True when they are fighting, fists, words, or even both break out. But once its done, it's done. They settled things. If you dwell on it too much, they start to fester with the feeling and it gets uncomfortable."
"One would think I know this after 7 years with Harry and Ron." Hermione glanced around, noticing the students returning to their own conversations.
"Well Harry's different, with all his stuff. And Ron had me for company all those years. But anyway, don't worry Hermione. I'm sure when he meets up with Hannah later on today, he'll forget the whole thing."
"I hope so," Hermione meekly answered.
(I was going to end it here, but I thought I'd give you all an extra long one since everyone has been so kind in their reviews.)
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She was mad. No annoyed, hell she was so pissed off, she wanted to scream until her voice was hoarse. But Hermione knew that wouldn't solve anything. Contrary to what Ginny said, Ron was still not over their argument in the Great Hall. Not only had he ignored her the whole day and today, but his girlfriend too.
Apparently when needing another females opinion, he asked Hannah if what Hermione said was true. Sadly she agreed when reaching for his famous broomstick. Well words were exchanged, and now Hermione was in the library facing several glares from Hannah and her Hufflepuff friends. Glaring straight back, Hermione resumed her work, not caring if she hogged the largest table in the room.
After working in silence for several hours, she was interrupted with the chorus of giggles from girls across the room. Irritated Hermione looked up to see the entire ruckus. There surrounded by a sea of starry-eyed girls, was Lucius Malfoy. Lazily he leaned against the tabled with an ancient book cradled between his hands. His blonde white hair was tied neatly behind him, showing off his smooth angular face. Those intense gray eyes were dancing in movement as he read from the text, capturing each girl listening to him.
In a needy wanton way, Hermione found him attractive. She would be blind to deny it. But the way he carried him self while surrounded by schoolgirl crushes was ridiculous. Honestly he acted like the Queen of England bowed down to him, with everyone else. At least Bill or Professor Weasley didn't act that way with his admirers. He wouldn't take advantage of their feelings.
Shivering from the thought, Hermione wondered how many naive girls had fallen into his charms. How many girls had given themselves freely to him? How many had broke hearts, after learning what he was? How many actually cared for a man like him?
Aware of Hermione's attention, Lucius unbuttoned his collar giving a small piece of his lean hard chest. Smirking at the noises from the simpleminded girls around him, he continued his reading from Hogwarts A: History.
Rolling her eyes, she continued her studying. She wasn't going to waste her free period thinking about him. But sadly a Malfoy would interrupt it.
"Granger, Dumbledore wants to meet with us." Draco appeared, looming besides her. "Move, I got Quidditch practice tonight." He glared clearly hating to be any where near her.
"And heaven forbid, I make you late for anything Malfoy." Hermione replied sarcasm heard in every word.
"Watch you're tongue Granger." Malfoy sneered running out of the library with only a side-glance towards his father. And from Hermione's observation, he wasn't happy about it. Interesting she thought to her self. This might be useful.
Leaving the headmaster's office, Hermione's stomach growled in hunger. Not wanting to be near Malfoy anymore, she quicken her pace. Yet Malfoy had other plans. Angrily he threw her against the wall, pain shooting in to her back.
"What the hell is you're problem Malfoy?" Hermione shouted, trying to push his arms away from her shoulder.
"Isn't it obvious." Malfoy drawled with malice clearly seen in his eyes.
"No, let go of me. Or I'll turn you into something worst then a ferret!"
"I'm sick of your empty threats Granger. You're pathetic. All you do is boss people around with that silly brain of yours. Well, I'm sick of it. Your words mean nothing. You're not special or unique. And I'll show everyone. I let them see how useless you really are."
"Malfoy what the hell is up your arse? I've been like this for years. If someone here should be pissed is me. I had to put up with your comments about my parents and relationship with my friends."
"Well I don't lust after your father do I!"
"I wouldn't touch your father even if he was the last being on this planet."
"Then stop looking at him."
"You tell him to stop looking at me." Hermione finally moved away from his grip. Stepping several paces back, her wand was stiffly pointed at Draco's head.
"He wouldn't give you the time of day. You're only a mudblood."
"Funny, he didn't care when he was groping me in the library one day."
"You're lying you filthy," Draco moved forward not caring about the wand pointed between his eyes.
"Leave her alone Malfoy!" Harry's voice came booming behind him. Instantly Draco went flying towards the wall, crumbling into an agonizing position. Running to guard Hermione, Harry held her safely behind him. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine Harry." Hermione tried glancing at Malfoy. "Harry, he might be hurt. You threw him really hard."
"Then he deserves it," Harry grabbed her wrist pulling her away. "Let's go. Someone's coming. They'll take care of him." Rushing through Hogwarts corridor, Hermoine felt her legs aching from the speed Harry was going. Finally reaching the Room of Requirements, Harry pushed her inside commanding the doors to lock. Exhausted Hermione leaned against the wall, panting for more air.
"Why…are…we…in…here?"
"Because it was the closest room," Harry said placing his head against the door. "He didn't hurt you did he?"
"Of course not," Hermione answered quickly. "Harry, I could have handled the situation."
"I'm sure you could have." He stated, fully sounding unconvinced. "Come on, I don't hear anything." Unlocking the door, they stepped out seeing no one around. Taking Hermione's hand, Harry protectively guided her towards the Great Hall. Unluckily a smirking blonde stopped them along the way.
"Potter you may run along, I have busy with Ms. Granger here." Lucius completely ignored Harry's glare.
"What busy is that?" He snapped back, tightly holding Hermione's hand.
"That Potter is none of your business. Unless you were with my son earlier today." Hermione quickly paled from the comment.
"Actually," Harry started, but Hermione covered his mouth with her hand.
"Harry, its probably just duties Professor Dumbledore handed us. It'll just take a minute. Go on ahead. I'll catch up." She smiled silently telling him to agree. Reluctantly
Harry nodded, glaring at Malfoy senior before leaving.
"I see you have Potter wrapped around your finger."
"Professor Malfoy if you have something to say, please does so." Hermione's tone carried through the hall.
"Fine," he snapped all trance of amusement gone. "I just found my son unconscious and bleeding. Ms. Granger would you care to explain this?"
"Professor, I have no idea what you're talking about. But if you want me to investigate I will." Her eyes carried innocence to the situation that almost shocked Lucius.
"I'm not a fool girl. I saw you and Draco, with Potter saving the day." Malfoy moved forward, inches away from Hermione.
"If you saw, then you should have stopped your son. He's the one pushing people around." Hermione glared not backing down. "And further more, I would appreciate it if you would tell your son that you're the one leering at me. Because Professor I have absolutely no interest in you."
"Ms. Granger you have detention at 8:00 tonight with me. And ten points for speaking back to a Professor. Now leave me before I start taking more for my son." Biting her lower lip, Hermione left without a glance back.
Revealing himself from the shadows of the corridors, Draco obediently stood by his father's side. "What are you going to do to her father?"
"That boy is my business," Lucius smirked at how easily the situation had fallen into his hands. "Now run along and stay away from Potter or Granger." Pushing his son in the opposite direction, he grinned happily to himself.
A.N.
Thank you!!! I really like the reviews. Please keep them coming. I hope you liked this chapter. It doesn't say much, but if you look closely it foreshadows a lot of my story. And for those wondering what the real shipper of this story is…well you'll just have to read this whole thing to found out. Thanks again, and stay tune for next time.