Disclaimer: I own nothing. but my sick and twisted little imagination
Chapter 3: A Civilized Confrontation
As the day wore on Hermione realized that she had been dozing more often than she was paying attention. She had to keep reminding herself that this habit was going to get her Head Girl privileges revoked. And who could blame them, what kind of an example was she setting if she couldn't even keep her eyes open for her Advanced Wand Craft class. She chastised herself severely for several minutes longer before she felt her eyelids becoming heavy.
A sharp jab in the ribs from Ron jostled her awake. "Hermione, are you alright?" Ron's eyes pleaded sincerely to have her reassure him that everything was ok. "You keep napping and I know how much you have been looking forward to our guest speaker today." She had been bragging all week how she had convinced Mr. Olivander himself to teach their first chapter on Associating Woodwork.
" I thought you would at least pay attention to what he had to say, seeing as you're so keen on the subject." Ron's reply sounded hollow in her ears. Hermione's eyes teared up as she apologized. " I haven't been getting the best of sleep lately". Her voice cracked with hurt and despair made Ron's heart stop. " Anything I can do?" He asked. A small smile formed at the corner of her mouth. "Yeah, just nudge me if I start to snore" she said with a laugh.
The sound of Hermione laughing snapped Draco's head up. His eyes went instinctively to her. And just what did she think was so damn amusing? Draco's face became a mask of pure hatred as he watched Hermione and Ron's heads inches apart as they shared in some hilarious secret.
Draco was furious in an instant. What do I care if Granger and Weasley get all close and cozy in the middle of class? It's only bothering me because I am becoming nauseous just thinking about them together.
As if sensing someone staring at her, Hermione turned her eyes to the classroom to meet immediately with burning silver. Draco was forced to gasp at the intensity of her gaze. A slow smile had found its way into her profile, transforming her into Mona Lisa before his eyes. His own smile tugged at his lips in response.
At that moment the bell signaled the end of the class and the two classes dissipated out the doors. They headed to their separate destinations.
Draco would have plenty of time to ponder that secretive smile before he would see Hermione again. The only other class they shared was at the very end of the day. The Head Boy and Girl found themselves in an empty classroom for the last period, with an uneasy silence charged by the electricity of unsaid words.
Neither wanted to be the one to initiate a conversation, so, as the time ticked by the atmosphere became even more unsteady. Draco finally cleared his parched throat and jumped into a conversation as if they had been life long friends. It was just small talk really, about the empty room, the weather outside, and anything else that he could say without actually saying anything at all.
" Do you like the sound of your own voice or are you actually talking to me in a civilized manner?" Hermione's confusion had finally run out of guessing what was in his head. Honestly. to start up a conversation about absolutely nothing in particular, as if he was only continuing an earlier conversation. What was he thinking?
Draco was taken back by the question but before he could reiterate the doors burst open and a cheery Dumbledore stood in the room. With the ever- present twinkle in his eye the Headmaster took in the pair. Hermione stood leaning over the nearest desk, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, glaring at Draco. Draco was sitting at the desk with his mouth gaping open like a fish out of water, vile insults at her audacity on the tip of his tongue.
" Well Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy. I am apparently right on time." He said with his deep chuckle. " I have scheduled the two of you to have patrol duty for the remainder of the day. Your duties as the Heads of your respected Houses permit you great leniency. You can wander anywhere on the school grounds that you prefer, and the normal rules do not apply to you. There is one exception that must be maintained. You are to patrol together at all times. Please understand that this is only a precautionary measure, as I don't doubt that you are both capable of walking the corridors alone. However I must insist that you obey this one simple rule." Dumbledore paused to make sure that they understood that this was not to be taken lightly. At their nods of acceptance he continued.
" Now I must be off. Peeves has been terrorizing a house elf in the kitchen so badly that it is a wonder our food is even edible. If I can get dinner on the tables by 6:00 it will be a miracle". He winked, smiled, and disappeared in a puff of blue smoke.
" Well, we had better get going." Hermione suggested. " God only knows what the students are doing right now."
Together they searched the halls, while silently maintaining their truce. They wandered side by side until the bells chime signaled the end of classes. They had not had a single disturbance and yet the time had seemed to fly by.
At the signaling of the bells Draco turned smoothly to Hermione, whispered goodbye, and joined his friends as they headed towards the Quidditch field for practice.
Hermione was stunned by his goodbye. As she watched his muscular form shrink into the distance she shook herself off and headed to the library. She intended to escape her unwelcome feelings and thoughts of Draco buried deep in a book until she could fall asleep.
Chapter 3: A Civilized Confrontation
As the day wore on Hermione realized that she had been dozing more often than she was paying attention. She had to keep reminding herself that this habit was going to get her Head Girl privileges revoked. And who could blame them, what kind of an example was she setting if she couldn't even keep her eyes open for her Advanced Wand Craft class. She chastised herself severely for several minutes longer before she felt her eyelids becoming heavy.
A sharp jab in the ribs from Ron jostled her awake. "Hermione, are you alright?" Ron's eyes pleaded sincerely to have her reassure him that everything was ok. "You keep napping and I know how much you have been looking forward to our guest speaker today." She had been bragging all week how she had convinced Mr. Olivander himself to teach their first chapter on Associating Woodwork.
" I thought you would at least pay attention to what he had to say, seeing as you're so keen on the subject." Ron's reply sounded hollow in her ears. Hermione's eyes teared up as she apologized. " I haven't been getting the best of sleep lately". Her voice cracked with hurt and despair made Ron's heart stop. " Anything I can do?" He asked. A small smile formed at the corner of her mouth. "Yeah, just nudge me if I start to snore" she said with a laugh.
The sound of Hermione laughing snapped Draco's head up. His eyes went instinctively to her. And just what did she think was so damn amusing? Draco's face became a mask of pure hatred as he watched Hermione and Ron's heads inches apart as they shared in some hilarious secret.
Draco was furious in an instant. What do I care if Granger and Weasley get all close and cozy in the middle of class? It's only bothering me because I am becoming nauseous just thinking about them together.
As if sensing someone staring at her, Hermione turned her eyes to the classroom to meet immediately with burning silver. Draco was forced to gasp at the intensity of her gaze. A slow smile had found its way into her profile, transforming her into Mona Lisa before his eyes. His own smile tugged at his lips in response.
At that moment the bell signaled the end of the class and the two classes dissipated out the doors. They headed to their separate destinations.
Draco would have plenty of time to ponder that secretive smile before he would see Hermione again. The only other class they shared was at the very end of the day. The Head Boy and Girl found themselves in an empty classroom for the last period, with an uneasy silence charged by the electricity of unsaid words.
Neither wanted to be the one to initiate a conversation, so, as the time ticked by the atmosphere became even more unsteady. Draco finally cleared his parched throat and jumped into a conversation as if they had been life long friends. It was just small talk really, about the empty room, the weather outside, and anything else that he could say without actually saying anything at all.
" Do you like the sound of your own voice or are you actually talking to me in a civilized manner?" Hermione's confusion had finally run out of guessing what was in his head. Honestly. to start up a conversation about absolutely nothing in particular, as if he was only continuing an earlier conversation. What was he thinking?
Draco was taken back by the question but before he could reiterate the doors burst open and a cheery Dumbledore stood in the room. With the ever- present twinkle in his eye the Headmaster took in the pair. Hermione stood leaning over the nearest desk, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, glaring at Draco. Draco was sitting at the desk with his mouth gaping open like a fish out of water, vile insults at her audacity on the tip of his tongue.
" Well Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy. I am apparently right on time." He said with his deep chuckle. " I have scheduled the two of you to have patrol duty for the remainder of the day. Your duties as the Heads of your respected Houses permit you great leniency. You can wander anywhere on the school grounds that you prefer, and the normal rules do not apply to you. There is one exception that must be maintained. You are to patrol together at all times. Please understand that this is only a precautionary measure, as I don't doubt that you are both capable of walking the corridors alone. However I must insist that you obey this one simple rule." Dumbledore paused to make sure that they understood that this was not to be taken lightly. At their nods of acceptance he continued.
" Now I must be off. Peeves has been terrorizing a house elf in the kitchen so badly that it is a wonder our food is even edible. If I can get dinner on the tables by 6:00 it will be a miracle". He winked, smiled, and disappeared in a puff of blue smoke.
" Well, we had better get going." Hermione suggested. " God only knows what the students are doing right now."
Together they searched the halls, while silently maintaining their truce. They wandered side by side until the bells chime signaled the end of classes. They had not had a single disturbance and yet the time had seemed to fly by.
At the signaling of the bells Draco turned smoothly to Hermione, whispered goodbye, and joined his friends as they headed towards the Quidditch field for practice.
Hermione was stunned by his goodbye. As she watched his muscular form shrink into the distance she shook herself off and headed to the library. She intended to escape her unwelcome feelings and thoughts of Draco buried deep in a book until she could fall asleep.