*(IF YOU COME BACK)*
a/n: I'm such an ASS, aren't I? But before I hex myself to oblivion I must thank you guys (25 reviews 4 1 chap!) for always being there to support me and offering me encouragement ^_^. I'm really sorry and I know homework's not an excuse... or maybe it is.(read the previous chapter's a/n for my really long and naggy apology! xD!) I'm just really really sorry for not updating for so many months-- the past number of weeks have been really stressful... and I was really under pressure because my results were slipping from A's to C's. So... yeah... Sorry, once again... I'll continue this fic, of course, but I'll take a longer time doing it. School, homework and tests still have to be my top priority if I want to get good grades, then a scholarship to overseas for university. So thanks for standing by ^_^!
ps: this chapter is un-beta-ed because SPIKA has not gotten back to me for more than a week. So do forgive me for any errors ^_^.
disclaimer: i don't particularly wish that HP belongs to me, but i would love it if someone gives me Draco. (",)
CHAPTER TEN: NOT A GAME
The classroom was set in full preparation for the demonstration; the tables had been arranged in a circular manner. Hermione set her books down beside Draco quietly, then sat down and stared resolutely to the front.
The silence between them was tensed. Of course, Hermione thought. Even though she knew she should have given Draco the benefit of the doubt, she was still wary. After all it had been six years of grudge and dislike... she wasn't that forgiving, and she wasn't that soft-hearted. It would take Draco more than one abrupt sentence to convince her of his sincerity. More than one sentence to convince her that he was telling the truth, and not playing some cocked-up game the Slytherins usually had in mind.
Professor McGonagall had arranged this extra lesson in hopes of aiding the weaker students to understand the project she had assigned. It was a Saturday afternoon, and the heat was unbearably scorching, but Hermione managed to ignore both the weather and the boy beside her.
She was quite excited-- Prof McGonagall had promised a step-to-step explanation of transforming into an Animagus. Even though she and Draco (Malfoy, she insisted inside her head) were currently at loggerheads she would not allow anything to jeopardize their project. It was a major one, Prof McGonagall had told them, and Hermione considered marks too serious to play the fool with. Too important, in fact, to be affected by some childish pettiness.
Childish pettiness. Yes, that's right, Hermione thought, sneaking a glance at the blonde-haired Slytherin beside her. I'm being awfully childish... but then again isn't he?
The Transfiguration teacher had come into the room--- Hermione sat up straighter. From the corner of her eye she caught sight of a slight smirk playing at Draco's lips-- she scowled and turned away from him.
---------------------//*
"Look, Malfoy," called the brown-haired Gryffindor, and he turned to stare at her. Oh, so it's back to Malfoy now, eh? He didn't really understand why he was feeling what he was feeling: bitter... angry... even upset. But one thing Draco knew for sure: He was calling his 'game' quits.
It had all started as a game, hadn't it? A fun, malicious, perfect Slytherin-style game. But the strange and foreign emotions it had roused in him... the slightest hint that he was starting to care for a Muggleborn... it was all too risky. Malfoys don't feel, for goodness sake, not even a little bit, and Draco wasn't about to make an exception just because the girl was pretty. Yeah, well, keep on telling yourself that, from somewhere a nasty voice popped into his head, If it's only her LOOKS... You wouldn't even be bothered, and you wouldn't even be thinking in this way!
His pride was unwilling ot let him do so, but Draco had to admit that that was the truth. It wasn't just the pretty factor... oh, no, his attraction towards her was more along the lines of the witch being intelligent, gentle, serious, talented... Well, yeah, I get the gist, he thought to himself sarcastically. It was, also, (he supposed), her Gryffindor qualites-- begrudging as he was there existed no doubt that she was brave, courageous and loyal. She had went on (too many) Voldemort-vanquishing-expeditions with Potter for her to be weak, and even though Draco didn't understand how someone could possibly be so good he had to respect her for that.
*
Hermione wasn't looking, or else she would have noticed Draco's rather blatant stare. Instead, being the studious girl she was, she had already slotted out the instruction sheets and was poring through them.
"Cross-species... Registering with the Ministry... yeah I know all that."
She had developed the habit of muttering to herself throughout her Hogwarts years; she found it easier to concentrate on the task at hand. Pushing a stray lock of fringe behind her ear she shifted her chair closer to the table and crossed her legs.
"Dra--Malfoy," she muttered, and was answered by his usual complacent drawl.
"Yes, Granger?"
"Look, let's put aside our differences shall we," she said, firmly, catching his eye but then looking away again. She saw his mouth twitch at her words-- Oh bother, she thought exasperatedly, So I was the one who insisted on acknowledging our differences. I shouldn't have blown up yester-night, then I wouldn't have such a hard time trying to co-operate.
*
Draco knew he was being a smart-ass, but he couldn't resist smirking at the Gryffindor girl. She looks so cute when she's exasperated, he thought, then caught himself. Whoa there, Malfoy, there's no 'cute' in the family dictionary!
It was an understatement; the fact that he was experiencing strange emotions. Perhaps it was because of this foreignness that he felt the tendency to push them away.
"M--Malfoy?"
He caught the hesitance in her voice, but he didn't know what to make of it. Why do I bother, anyway? He thought angrily, but the frustration he felt was directed more to himself than to Hermione. I shouldn't be bothered---Hell, I can't be bothered!
Even to himself his words sounded weak. With the greatest strong-will he could muster he pushed the nasty voice away.
"Yes, Granger," he drawled, somehow, miraculously, managing to pull off his cool act.
"I--We... We should get started."
Was it his imagination, or had Granger actually stuttered when she caught his eye?
"We should get started," she repeated, and Draco shot her his usual smirk.
"Sure, of course, whatever you say," he half-grinned. He was suddenly feeling rather jovial... Not that 'jovial' was a term he could apply to himself usually but then again Granger embarrassed was not a sight you could see everyday!
*
It took a lot of self-will to stop herself from blushing, but Hermione supposed that she had accomplished the feat because no smart-aleck remark came from the blond Slytherin sitting so casually beside her with his legs crossed on the chair. She had, for one wild moment, thought that Malfoy was grinning at her--and that was not a sight that one could see everyday!
"Erm...yeah," she answered, finally, regaining her composure and trying to act as though she couldn't care less. Needless to say she was failing miserably what with that horrendous smirk playing on his face.
"Yeah, Granger?"
She really felt like slapping him--- but not like in third year, when she did that out of pure anger. Rather, to her, now, it felt more like a teasing kind of reprimand--a mock angry gesture, perhaps, to get his smug look of his face.
"I--We have to learn the spell first," she muttered, feeling slightly awkward under his gaze. "We have to learn the spell, then practice the swish and flick, then get some research done on Animagi. There's really nothing here worth knowing-- we have to do most of the information-gathering ourselves. Marks will be graded in pair assessments--by the end of this year each and every student has to learn how to become an Animagus at will."
She felt safest when she was treading on familiar territory--homework, and books, for example.
"Just a year to get ourselves into Animagi?" Malfoy asked, almost thoughtfully.
"Hmm... yeah... I know it usually takes longer to do that, but it is possible to do so. Only the elite can, however, and that is how the project can be assessed for N.E.W.T.s. You know-- differentiating between the truly good and those who just memorizes every single word in the textbook or study at the last minute."
Safe territory-- that was right. She could be herself when discussing about books--- she supposed it was a blessing in disguise that Prof McGongall had assigned them together. It made for easier working, because Malfoy was by no means stupid, and was really intellectual in a gifted kind of way.
Did I hear myself praising him?! It was a reaction kind of thought, when the sentence just popped into her head. She couldn't deny that she had complimented the Slytherin, but she was letting the remark stay in her head.
At least I aren't paired with Parkinson, or Goyle, she thought, self-convincingly, and almost managing to do so. It was a difficult choice between an infuriatingly intelligent guy or a dumbwit girl for a partner, and Hermione had to be glad that she was working with someone who actually knew what he was doing instead of creating a mess.
*
He wondered, briefly, what she was thinking about. Suppressing the urge to annoy her Draco contented himself with his trademark smirk. She had gone into some kind of a trance, so deep was she in her thoughts, that she almost looked... angelic.
Whee. Dangerous ground, he warned himself mockingly.
"Hey, Granger," he said, when he finally got tired of her silence. Silent Hermione was an unusual sight, when she would be babbering away most of the time with her friends.
"Hmmmmm?"
Blueh, he thought to himself. I'm not gonna look at her lips, I'm not gonna look at her lips, I'm gonna--
Looking away he steadied himself. When he turned back the Gryffindor was staring at him in a quizzical kind of way.
"I-Let's go out to the lake, shan't we," he said, rather than ask, and left his seat before she could react.
*
Sighing wearily Hermione got up and trudged behind the Slytherin. She was feeling too weary to argue and, truthfully saying, the idea of taking a stroll out along the lake was a perfectly wonderful idea. Though the fact that she would be strolling with Malfoy doused her enthusiasm slightly, she was rather surprised that he had, actually, offered the suggestion.
She caught up with him along the hallway, breathing slightly difficultly because he was striding so fast ahead. They walked along in silence, finally reaching the doorway that lead out to the Main Hallway.
She brushed past someone as she hurried after Malfoy-- not sparing even a glance she muttered a 'sorry' and was about to walk off when a familiar voice echoed through the empty hallway.
"HERMIONEEEEEEEE GRANGER!!"
It sounded, uncannily, like Harry's Triwizard Tournament golden egg. Or the grinding of three hundred musical saws, Hermione thought wryly.
Resigning herself to another bitchy tirade she turned around and smiled with as much sweetness as she could muster at the couple standing against the doorway.
"Yes, Stacey?"
Out of the corner of her eye she caught Draco Malfoy halting and retracing his steps back.
"YES? YES? APOLOGISE TO ME, YOU IDIOT! Do you have any idea you'd almost ruin my dress?!"
Hermione looked down at the girl's dress, her eyes moving deliberately slowly. There wasn't a rip as far as she could see, and she was sure nothing had happened to the dress.
"Almost ruin your dress?" She enquired, softly but with a tinge of sarcasm evident in her tone. God she was starting to sound like... Malfoy?!
"YES!!! MY DRESS!!!"
Rolling her eyes, Hermione turned to Ron, who was standing beside Stacey looking more than a tad bit uncomfortable. He had stuffed his hands in his pockets, and was shuffling about his feet, which was a sure sign that he didn't like the situation he was in.
"I'd apologise, except for the fact that you are undoubtedly blind and there's nothing wrong with your dress other than the singular problem that it's on your back."
*
Whoa, Granger girl, Draco thought, staring at the brown-haired Gryffindor. That scathing tone... ahh..
Mentally slapping himself for any dirty thoughts whatsoever he schooled his features back into the neutrality it'd always assume.
"Can we go now, Granger?" He said, trying to sound as bored as he could, trying to push the mental image of a fiery Hermione out of his mind.
The witch in question had tossed her head-- and, with a last contemptous glance at the Gryffindor duo, strode over to where he stood.
"Let's go, Draco. We have places to go don't we?"
She took his arm, and he couldn't help but turn around and shot Weasley his infamous smirk. There you go, Weasel! he crowed, Missing Hermione now?
For he had, just before turning back, caught a somewhat jealous expression on the redhead's face.
*
Malfoy was silent, walking beside her, and she was grateful for that. She needed time... time to think, to berate herself. That wasn't me back there, she thought, mollified with herself. But somehow Stacey Jance had the ability to bring out the bitchiness in her usually serene self.
She shot another glance at the Slytherin, who had looked smug for a moment back there. She wondered what he was thinking... She didn't usually lose her temper, and although that incident in the hallway didn't qualify as a case of throwing her tantrum she had exploded considerably enough. He was most probably enjoying the fact that her anger was directed onto someone else instead of him, for once.
He was now walking very slowly, matching his big strides to her small steps, and, weirdly, she was touched. What it would be like for him to care, she mused, almost dreamily. I'm sure he does know how to care... it's just that he doesn't, or can't show it, I guess.
They had reached the lake by then, and with an unspoken agreement they sat down on the lone wooden bench.
"So, what do you think your Animagus form would be?"
Just a simple question, no insults, no verbal abuse-- Just a simple question to break the increasingly-awkward silence between them. Hermione threw him a grateful glance for disrupting the tension, then thought for a while before replying.
"I have no idea... But I'd always wanted to be a horse."
"Horse?"
"Horse."
"You're one weird girl, Granger."
She laughed, ruefully. "I don't suppose I'd be, though... Have you realised that Animagi usually takes the form of something closely involved with the person himself? Look at Peter Pettigrew... he's a rat and rat sums up his character that's for sure. And Sirius, Harry's godfather, actually means 'Dog Star' in the constellation sense. That's why his Animagus form is a dog."
"He behaved like one, too," Malfoy said, slightly sulkily.
She risked another look at him, then chuckled quietly. "How many people would go through all he had for their loved ones, though, I wonder? I think he's horribly brave... and courageous."
He bent down, picked up a pebble. Throwing it into the lake he turned to her. "Let's not talk about this, Granger... He's dead... dead. I don't want you to get all cry-ish on me."
Hermione stared at him, surprised. If she hadn't known better... she could almost have sworn that Draco Malfoy was sympathising with her under all that rude gruffness.
"Well, fine," she said, finally, standing up and stretching. "Take out the parchment, will you?"
*
Draco tried to watch her as discreetly as possible, and he guessed he was succeeding because she made no mention of that fact. The brainy Gryffindor had taken to pacing the length of the bench in front of him, and was muttering rather distractedly under her breath. Before long, though, he was itching to know what was going on in that giant brain of hers.
"What are you rambling on about?"
Startled, the Gryffindor girl glanced back at him with an almost deer-caught-in-headlights look. He had to stop himself from chuckling.
"N-nothing. I'm sorry I'm lost in my own thoughts. It's always the case when I study."
He admired the way she could dispense such a sincere apology at will... He himself was unable to, having been schooled from young into an impassive person who placed his pride before everything else. Her tone sounded sheepish, and he had to fight off another impulsive urge to grin.
What in hell is wrong with me? He wondered, subconsciously furrowing his brows. What's the deal with those stupid feelings?!
Deep in thought, he didn't realise that the source of his problem was already kneeling down by his side and looking at him concernedly.
*
"Malfoy? Malll-fooyyy!"
Puzzled, Hermione sat down beside the boy and continued staring at him. Her singsong voice, which was definitely out-of-ordinary compared to her normal, firm voice, had failed to rouse a reaction from him. She waited patiently for a few more minutes for him to come out of his trance, then, when he did not, shrugged and turned back to the parchments.
FIRST STEP: PRACTISING THE SPELL ON SOMEONE ELSE
A full-fledged Animagi does not need a wand, nor any incantation to enable him to change from his human to his animal form. In the beginning stage, however, when the body is still un-adapted to the animal's, it is neccessary to recite the spell. To enable easier learning, try the spell on someone else first. Have him describe to you the feeling when his body undergoes this abnormal change.
Below, a single line of words:
The incantation is El cambio Animagus.
Stuffing the parchments back into the bag, she turned excitedly to Malfoy. And almost whacked him in the nose with her elbow.
"Jesus, Granger!" He complained, after having ducked out of the way. "Do restrain your passionate turmoils!"
Rolling her eyes (she seemed to be doing that a lot lately), she poked his chest with a finger.
"Oh, please, get a life, Malfoy. We need to start with the project and we should start it now. I don't think there'd be much time in the weekdays and what with your Quidditch and my library stuff on Sunday the only day we can meet will be Sat-ur-day." Purposely, she drew the last word out, hoping it'd get into his head. "Which means we need to buck up, because I want to get the highest grades possible for N.E.W.T.s!"
*
There she was, being insufferable with her talk of grades, again. Draco waited impatiently for the usual surge of irritance, but felt none. Unwilling to dwell on that, however, he focused on Granger. She was explaining what she had read to him, and Draco, absorbing her words, managed to avoid further inner conflicts.
---------------------------(*)
"You can try it on me first, I supposed," Hermione said, doubtfully. "I don't really understand the spell and you'd end up in the hospital in less than five minutes. I guess I just have to trust you on this one. You won't use this opportunity to kill me will you?"
This time outrightly chuckling at the nervous tremor in her voice, Draco, in a sudden movement, reached out for her hand and hooked her pinky with his. "I won't, don't worry," he grinned, then...
Then realised what he was doing.
He let go of her hand, immediately, almost as though he had been scalded. Distractedly, he waved his wand at her, and muttered the spell.
For a couple of minutes, nothing changed. They just stood there, silently, him looking at the sky and her looking at the ground.
Then--
A ripple of pain washed through Hermione, and she felt herself crumbling onto the ground. It was worse than drinking the Polyjuice Potion with the damn cat's hair... Much, much worse.
Her skin felt like it was stretching in all sorts of directions, and her bones were bending harshly. Worse still, she had no idea what she'd be changing into.
"Granger! Granger! You okay?"
Her mouth couldn't move, no matter how hard she tried. She squeezed her eyes shut-- then--
Blackness.
+*+*+*+*+*+
[JaE sPeAkinG]
Dull chapter, I know. And a kind of a cliffie. Please R&R, because I really want to know what you guys think of this. Feel free to criticise, because how else would I learn? I'm sorry for the horrible 9mth gap, but part of the reason was because I'd gotten myself into a self-despair pit and couldn't get out. I thought that the previous chapters were horrible and bad, so what was the point of continuing? It was only yesterday night, when I read your reviews again, that I regained back my confidence. Thanks, guys. Really really thanks. If ya all had not reviewed, I would still be procrastinating like crazy. And even though I don't have the time now to type out responses to each and every of you, I just want to say this: You guys have been really great to me. Without your reviews... let's just say that I'd be despairing further and this story would be stuck at chapter 9. So, yeah, thanks! & do review!(Make it to 170, please? LOL!) ^_^
[personal note to xiaoyi: argh! your grammar is horrible! LOL!]
-------*//
a/n: I'm such an ASS, aren't I? But before I hex myself to oblivion I must thank you guys (25 reviews 4 1 chap!) for always being there to support me and offering me encouragement ^_^. I'm really sorry and I know homework's not an excuse... or maybe it is.(read the previous chapter's a/n for my really long and naggy apology! xD!) I'm just really really sorry for not updating for so many months-- the past number of weeks have been really stressful... and I was really under pressure because my results were slipping from A's to C's. So... yeah... Sorry, once again... I'll continue this fic, of course, but I'll take a longer time doing it. School, homework and tests still have to be my top priority if I want to get good grades, then a scholarship to overseas for university. So thanks for standing by ^_^!
ps: this chapter is un-beta-ed because SPIKA has not gotten back to me for more than a week. So do forgive me for any errors ^_^.
disclaimer: i don't particularly wish that HP belongs to me, but i would love it if someone gives me Draco. (",)
CHAPTER TEN: NOT A GAME
The classroom was set in full preparation for the demonstration; the tables had been arranged in a circular manner. Hermione set her books down beside Draco quietly, then sat down and stared resolutely to the front.
The silence between them was tensed. Of course, Hermione thought. Even though she knew she should have given Draco the benefit of the doubt, she was still wary. After all it had been six years of grudge and dislike... she wasn't that forgiving, and she wasn't that soft-hearted. It would take Draco more than one abrupt sentence to convince her of his sincerity. More than one sentence to convince her that he was telling the truth, and not playing some cocked-up game the Slytherins usually had in mind.
Professor McGonagall had arranged this extra lesson in hopes of aiding the weaker students to understand the project she had assigned. It was a Saturday afternoon, and the heat was unbearably scorching, but Hermione managed to ignore both the weather and the boy beside her.
She was quite excited-- Prof McGonagall had promised a step-to-step explanation of transforming into an Animagus. Even though she and Draco (Malfoy, she insisted inside her head) were currently at loggerheads she would not allow anything to jeopardize their project. It was a major one, Prof McGonagall had told them, and Hermione considered marks too serious to play the fool with. Too important, in fact, to be affected by some childish pettiness.
Childish pettiness. Yes, that's right, Hermione thought, sneaking a glance at the blonde-haired Slytherin beside her. I'm being awfully childish... but then again isn't he?
The Transfiguration teacher had come into the room--- Hermione sat up straighter. From the corner of her eye she caught sight of a slight smirk playing at Draco's lips-- she scowled and turned away from him.
---------------------//*
"Look, Malfoy," called the brown-haired Gryffindor, and he turned to stare at her. Oh, so it's back to Malfoy now, eh? He didn't really understand why he was feeling what he was feeling: bitter... angry... even upset. But one thing Draco knew for sure: He was calling his 'game' quits.
It had all started as a game, hadn't it? A fun, malicious, perfect Slytherin-style game. But the strange and foreign emotions it had roused in him... the slightest hint that he was starting to care for a Muggleborn... it was all too risky. Malfoys don't feel, for goodness sake, not even a little bit, and Draco wasn't about to make an exception just because the girl was pretty. Yeah, well, keep on telling yourself that, from somewhere a nasty voice popped into his head, If it's only her LOOKS... You wouldn't even be bothered, and you wouldn't even be thinking in this way!
His pride was unwilling ot let him do so, but Draco had to admit that that was the truth. It wasn't just the pretty factor... oh, no, his attraction towards her was more along the lines of the witch being intelligent, gentle, serious, talented... Well, yeah, I get the gist, he thought to himself sarcastically. It was, also, (he supposed), her Gryffindor qualites-- begrudging as he was there existed no doubt that she was brave, courageous and loyal. She had went on (too many) Voldemort-vanquishing-expeditions with Potter for her to be weak, and even though Draco didn't understand how someone could possibly be so good he had to respect her for that.
*
Hermione wasn't looking, or else she would have noticed Draco's rather blatant stare. Instead, being the studious girl she was, she had already slotted out the instruction sheets and was poring through them.
"Cross-species... Registering with the Ministry... yeah I know all that."
She had developed the habit of muttering to herself throughout her Hogwarts years; she found it easier to concentrate on the task at hand. Pushing a stray lock of fringe behind her ear she shifted her chair closer to the table and crossed her legs.
"Dra--Malfoy," she muttered, and was answered by his usual complacent drawl.
"Yes, Granger?"
"Look, let's put aside our differences shall we," she said, firmly, catching his eye but then looking away again. She saw his mouth twitch at her words-- Oh bother, she thought exasperatedly, So I was the one who insisted on acknowledging our differences. I shouldn't have blown up yester-night, then I wouldn't have such a hard time trying to co-operate.
*
Draco knew he was being a smart-ass, but he couldn't resist smirking at the Gryffindor girl. She looks so cute when she's exasperated, he thought, then caught himself. Whoa there, Malfoy, there's no 'cute' in the family dictionary!
It was an understatement; the fact that he was experiencing strange emotions. Perhaps it was because of this foreignness that he felt the tendency to push them away.
"M--Malfoy?"
He caught the hesitance in her voice, but he didn't know what to make of it. Why do I bother, anyway? He thought angrily, but the frustration he felt was directed more to himself than to Hermione. I shouldn't be bothered---Hell, I can't be bothered!
Even to himself his words sounded weak. With the greatest strong-will he could muster he pushed the nasty voice away.
"Yes, Granger," he drawled, somehow, miraculously, managing to pull off his cool act.
"I--We... We should get started."
Was it his imagination, or had Granger actually stuttered when she caught his eye?
"We should get started," she repeated, and Draco shot her his usual smirk.
"Sure, of course, whatever you say," he half-grinned. He was suddenly feeling rather jovial... Not that 'jovial' was a term he could apply to himself usually but then again Granger embarrassed was not a sight you could see everyday!
*
It took a lot of self-will to stop herself from blushing, but Hermione supposed that she had accomplished the feat because no smart-aleck remark came from the blond Slytherin sitting so casually beside her with his legs crossed on the chair. She had, for one wild moment, thought that Malfoy was grinning at her--and that was not a sight that one could see everyday!
"Erm...yeah," she answered, finally, regaining her composure and trying to act as though she couldn't care less. Needless to say she was failing miserably what with that horrendous smirk playing on his face.
"Yeah, Granger?"
She really felt like slapping him--- but not like in third year, when she did that out of pure anger. Rather, to her, now, it felt more like a teasing kind of reprimand--a mock angry gesture, perhaps, to get his smug look of his face.
"I--We have to learn the spell first," she muttered, feeling slightly awkward under his gaze. "We have to learn the spell, then practice the swish and flick, then get some research done on Animagi. There's really nothing here worth knowing-- we have to do most of the information-gathering ourselves. Marks will be graded in pair assessments--by the end of this year each and every student has to learn how to become an Animagus at will."
She felt safest when she was treading on familiar territory--homework, and books, for example.
"Just a year to get ourselves into Animagi?" Malfoy asked, almost thoughtfully.
"Hmm... yeah... I know it usually takes longer to do that, but it is possible to do so. Only the elite can, however, and that is how the project can be assessed for N.E.W.T.s. You know-- differentiating between the truly good and those who just memorizes every single word in the textbook or study at the last minute."
Safe territory-- that was right. She could be herself when discussing about books--- she supposed it was a blessing in disguise that Prof McGongall had assigned them together. It made for easier working, because Malfoy was by no means stupid, and was really intellectual in a gifted kind of way.
Did I hear myself praising him?! It was a reaction kind of thought, when the sentence just popped into her head. She couldn't deny that she had complimented the Slytherin, but she was letting the remark stay in her head.
At least I aren't paired with Parkinson, or Goyle, she thought, self-convincingly, and almost managing to do so. It was a difficult choice between an infuriatingly intelligent guy or a dumbwit girl for a partner, and Hermione had to be glad that she was working with someone who actually knew what he was doing instead of creating a mess.
*
He wondered, briefly, what she was thinking about. Suppressing the urge to annoy her Draco contented himself with his trademark smirk. She had gone into some kind of a trance, so deep was she in her thoughts, that she almost looked... angelic.
Whee. Dangerous ground, he warned himself mockingly.
"Hey, Granger," he said, when he finally got tired of her silence. Silent Hermione was an unusual sight, when she would be babbering away most of the time with her friends.
"Hmmmmm?"
Blueh, he thought to himself. I'm not gonna look at her lips, I'm not gonna look at her lips, I'm gonna--
Looking away he steadied himself. When he turned back the Gryffindor was staring at him in a quizzical kind of way.
"I-Let's go out to the lake, shan't we," he said, rather than ask, and left his seat before she could react.
*
Sighing wearily Hermione got up and trudged behind the Slytherin. She was feeling too weary to argue and, truthfully saying, the idea of taking a stroll out along the lake was a perfectly wonderful idea. Though the fact that she would be strolling with Malfoy doused her enthusiasm slightly, she was rather surprised that he had, actually, offered the suggestion.
She caught up with him along the hallway, breathing slightly difficultly because he was striding so fast ahead. They walked along in silence, finally reaching the doorway that lead out to the Main Hallway.
She brushed past someone as she hurried after Malfoy-- not sparing even a glance she muttered a 'sorry' and was about to walk off when a familiar voice echoed through the empty hallway.
"HERMIONEEEEEEEE GRANGER!!"
It sounded, uncannily, like Harry's Triwizard Tournament golden egg. Or the grinding of three hundred musical saws, Hermione thought wryly.
Resigning herself to another bitchy tirade she turned around and smiled with as much sweetness as she could muster at the couple standing against the doorway.
"Yes, Stacey?"
Out of the corner of her eye she caught Draco Malfoy halting and retracing his steps back.
"YES? YES? APOLOGISE TO ME, YOU IDIOT! Do you have any idea you'd almost ruin my dress?!"
Hermione looked down at the girl's dress, her eyes moving deliberately slowly. There wasn't a rip as far as she could see, and she was sure nothing had happened to the dress.
"Almost ruin your dress?" She enquired, softly but with a tinge of sarcasm evident in her tone. God she was starting to sound like... Malfoy?!
"YES!!! MY DRESS!!!"
Rolling her eyes, Hermione turned to Ron, who was standing beside Stacey looking more than a tad bit uncomfortable. He had stuffed his hands in his pockets, and was shuffling about his feet, which was a sure sign that he didn't like the situation he was in.
"I'd apologise, except for the fact that you are undoubtedly blind and there's nothing wrong with your dress other than the singular problem that it's on your back."
*
Whoa, Granger girl, Draco thought, staring at the brown-haired Gryffindor. That scathing tone... ahh..
Mentally slapping himself for any dirty thoughts whatsoever he schooled his features back into the neutrality it'd always assume.
"Can we go now, Granger?" He said, trying to sound as bored as he could, trying to push the mental image of a fiery Hermione out of his mind.
The witch in question had tossed her head-- and, with a last contemptous glance at the Gryffindor duo, strode over to where he stood.
"Let's go, Draco. We have places to go don't we?"
She took his arm, and he couldn't help but turn around and shot Weasley his infamous smirk. There you go, Weasel! he crowed, Missing Hermione now?
For he had, just before turning back, caught a somewhat jealous expression on the redhead's face.
*
Malfoy was silent, walking beside her, and she was grateful for that. She needed time... time to think, to berate herself. That wasn't me back there, she thought, mollified with herself. But somehow Stacey Jance had the ability to bring out the bitchiness in her usually serene self.
She shot another glance at the Slytherin, who had looked smug for a moment back there. She wondered what he was thinking... She didn't usually lose her temper, and although that incident in the hallway didn't qualify as a case of throwing her tantrum she had exploded considerably enough. He was most probably enjoying the fact that her anger was directed onto someone else instead of him, for once.
He was now walking very slowly, matching his big strides to her small steps, and, weirdly, she was touched. What it would be like for him to care, she mused, almost dreamily. I'm sure he does know how to care... it's just that he doesn't, or can't show it, I guess.
They had reached the lake by then, and with an unspoken agreement they sat down on the lone wooden bench.
"So, what do you think your Animagus form would be?"
Just a simple question, no insults, no verbal abuse-- Just a simple question to break the increasingly-awkward silence between them. Hermione threw him a grateful glance for disrupting the tension, then thought for a while before replying.
"I have no idea... But I'd always wanted to be a horse."
"Horse?"
"Horse."
"You're one weird girl, Granger."
She laughed, ruefully. "I don't suppose I'd be, though... Have you realised that Animagi usually takes the form of something closely involved with the person himself? Look at Peter Pettigrew... he's a rat and rat sums up his character that's for sure. And Sirius, Harry's godfather, actually means 'Dog Star' in the constellation sense. That's why his Animagus form is a dog."
"He behaved like one, too," Malfoy said, slightly sulkily.
She risked another look at him, then chuckled quietly. "How many people would go through all he had for their loved ones, though, I wonder? I think he's horribly brave... and courageous."
He bent down, picked up a pebble. Throwing it into the lake he turned to her. "Let's not talk about this, Granger... He's dead... dead. I don't want you to get all cry-ish on me."
Hermione stared at him, surprised. If she hadn't known better... she could almost have sworn that Draco Malfoy was sympathising with her under all that rude gruffness.
"Well, fine," she said, finally, standing up and stretching. "Take out the parchment, will you?"
*
Draco tried to watch her as discreetly as possible, and he guessed he was succeeding because she made no mention of that fact. The brainy Gryffindor had taken to pacing the length of the bench in front of him, and was muttering rather distractedly under her breath. Before long, though, he was itching to know what was going on in that giant brain of hers.
"What are you rambling on about?"
Startled, the Gryffindor girl glanced back at him with an almost deer-caught-in-headlights look. He had to stop himself from chuckling.
"N-nothing. I'm sorry I'm lost in my own thoughts. It's always the case when I study."
He admired the way she could dispense such a sincere apology at will... He himself was unable to, having been schooled from young into an impassive person who placed his pride before everything else. Her tone sounded sheepish, and he had to fight off another impulsive urge to grin.
What in hell is wrong with me? He wondered, subconsciously furrowing his brows. What's the deal with those stupid feelings?!
Deep in thought, he didn't realise that the source of his problem was already kneeling down by his side and looking at him concernedly.
*
"Malfoy? Malll-fooyyy!"
Puzzled, Hermione sat down beside the boy and continued staring at him. Her singsong voice, which was definitely out-of-ordinary compared to her normal, firm voice, had failed to rouse a reaction from him. She waited patiently for a few more minutes for him to come out of his trance, then, when he did not, shrugged and turned back to the parchments.
FIRST STEP: PRACTISING THE SPELL ON SOMEONE ELSE
A full-fledged Animagi does not need a wand, nor any incantation to enable him to change from his human to his animal form. In the beginning stage, however, when the body is still un-adapted to the animal's, it is neccessary to recite the spell. To enable easier learning, try the spell on someone else first. Have him describe to you the feeling when his body undergoes this abnormal change.
Below, a single line of words:
The incantation is El cambio Animagus.
Stuffing the parchments back into the bag, she turned excitedly to Malfoy. And almost whacked him in the nose with her elbow.
"Jesus, Granger!" He complained, after having ducked out of the way. "Do restrain your passionate turmoils!"
Rolling her eyes (she seemed to be doing that a lot lately), she poked his chest with a finger.
"Oh, please, get a life, Malfoy. We need to start with the project and we should start it now. I don't think there'd be much time in the weekdays and what with your Quidditch and my library stuff on Sunday the only day we can meet will be Sat-ur-day." Purposely, she drew the last word out, hoping it'd get into his head. "Which means we need to buck up, because I want to get the highest grades possible for N.E.W.T.s!"
*
There she was, being insufferable with her talk of grades, again. Draco waited impatiently for the usual surge of irritance, but felt none. Unwilling to dwell on that, however, he focused on Granger. She was explaining what she had read to him, and Draco, absorbing her words, managed to avoid further inner conflicts.
---------------------------(*)
"You can try it on me first, I supposed," Hermione said, doubtfully. "I don't really understand the spell and you'd end up in the hospital in less than five minutes. I guess I just have to trust you on this one. You won't use this opportunity to kill me will you?"
This time outrightly chuckling at the nervous tremor in her voice, Draco, in a sudden movement, reached out for her hand and hooked her pinky with his. "I won't, don't worry," he grinned, then...
Then realised what he was doing.
He let go of her hand, immediately, almost as though he had been scalded. Distractedly, he waved his wand at her, and muttered the spell.
For a couple of minutes, nothing changed. They just stood there, silently, him looking at the sky and her looking at the ground.
Then--
A ripple of pain washed through Hermione, and she felt herself crumbling onto the ground. It was worse than drinking the Polyjuice Potion with the damn cat's hair... Much, much worse.
Her skin felt like it was stretching in all sorts of directions, and her bones were bending harshly. Worse still, she had no idea what she'd be changing into.
"Granger! Granger! You okay?"
Her mouth couldn't move, no matter how hard she tried. She squeezed her eyes shut-- then--
Blackness.
+*+*+*+*+*+
[JaE sPeAkinG]
Dull chapter, I know. And a kind of a cliffie. Please R&R, because I really want to know what you guys think of this. Feel free to criticise, because how else would I learn? I'm sorry for the horrible 9mth gap, but part of the reason was because I'd gotten myself into a self-despair pit and couldn't get out. I thought that the previous chapters were horrible and bad, so what was the point of continuing? It was only yesterday night, when I read your reviews again, that I regained back my confidence. Thanks, guys. Really really thanks. If ya all had not reviewed, I would still be procrastinating like crazy. And even though I don't have the time now to type out responses to each and every of you, I just want to say this: You guys have been really great to me. Without your reviews... let's just say that I'd be despairing further and this story would be stuck at chapter 9. So, yeah, thanks! & do review!(Make it to 170, please? LOL!) ^_^
[personal note to xiaoyi: argh! your grammar is horrible! LOL!]
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