Lorien – Thanks very much, and I want to be an author someday, I just need
to get a good idea first, then I'll take off! Please read more, a'ight?
Kai – Wow! That's a real compliment. That makes me feel *warm and fuzzy* (corny = yes!)
The Simon Cowell of Fanfiction.net – Thanks! I will write so fast, my fingers are gonna FALL OFF!
Ariella – I know people hate cliffies, but I don't take *that* long to update, and it makes you come back to read more.
Willowfairy – Three days! That's torture! (I hope) I am writing MORE STORY! YAY! =D
Why isn't anyone reviewing anymore? What happened to everyone? Like:
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lily
cherryplum11
blueamber,
dracosgurl_02
Artemis
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starliz
Imperfectionist
Purple Spotted Hedwig
xoxo*dAiSuKi*xoxo
funkless
I have a missing person's list! Ack! I need to make it to 100 reviews people! HEEELP! Who abducted the reviewers?!
Anyway – please tell me if you have any information on these missing reviewers.
Reward: Something. =D
--Saquoia--
Chapter 13
What surprised Hermione the most was the fact that Malfoy made no sign of protesting to the idea of talking to Professor Dumbledore, despite everything that he had always said about him before. She didn't understand why he was now willing to go to the office of the man that his father hated above almost all others, but she didn't press the subject, even in her mind, because she was confused beyond recognition.
She wasn't sure of anything anymore, because everything she had been sure of wasn't how she had thought it was.
She had always thought that Harry and Ron would never turn on her, but they had, then she had never thought that she would be forced to live in the same dormitory with Draco Malfoy, but here she was, and she had NEVER EVER thought that she would have anything in common with Draco Malfoy, but here she was, going to see Dumbledore because they had been having the same dreams.
The fact that she had been having the same dreams as him scared her too, because she was beginning to wonder whether this meant that they had some kind of 'connection' because that would mean that her mind could be connected to his and that wasn't something that she wanted to think about, because that would only be another reason for her and Malfoy to get along.
Getting along with Malfoy was the last thing that she needed now and ever. He would be another reason for her life to fall into the downward spiral it was in and she was trying to avoid that.
They both walked, grudgingly, into the headmaster's office, their shoulders bumping, and they both turned and glared at each other, which sent a wave of relief through Hermione's conscience. They still weren't getting along.
As they entered the headmaster's room, though, Hermione's breath caught in her chest. It was amazing – the portraits and every instrument, wall, and shelf seemed to have been cleaned and it was more amazing than she remembered it ever being. Malfoy, however, didn't seem to share her sentiment. He wrinkled his nose and stared disdainfully at everything in the office, and Hermione felt quite annoyed with him. The least he could do was show a little respect for someone like Professor Dumbledore, because he was a very powerful wizard.
Professor McGonagall motioned for them to sit down, and they both stared at the single chair in contempt.
"Sit." Professor McGonagall said expectantly, and again, they both stared at the single chair that was there. There was no way that Hermione was going to sit down in the same chair as Draco Malfoy, although her attempts to communicate this urgent point to Professor McGonagall at this point were all completely lost and utterly pointless, as they seemed to fall upon deaf ears.
Both of them glared at each other as though daring the other to be ruder and sit down, and when neither of them moved Professor McGonagall seemed to lose her maintained cool somewhat and she took a more commanding and angry tone that caught them off guard.
"Alright, you two are model students, yet you aren't showing me anything to be proud of right now." Professor McGonagall glared at the pair of them, and they seemed to be slightly ashamed under her angry gaze, but their feelings faltered as she continued issuing her commands to the pair of them.
"SIT." Professor McGonagall said, gesturing violently toward the single chair, and Hermione turned to glare at Malfoy as she watched him watching her. Neither of them had even showed signs of moving yet, and she doubted that she would be moving in any time at all, because she simply refused to. There was no way in the world that she would sit with Malfoy.
Professor McGonagall had a pained expression on her face, as though she didn't want to do what she was about to, and she motioned for them to sit down again, the pained expression still on her face, but her commanding nature never leaving for a second.
Hermione huffed and looked at Malfoy, who looked equally bewildered, which caught Hermione by surprised, because he NEVER looked bewildered, yet everything had been different lately so she didn't think very much of it. She was sure that her sanity was slipping away.
Sighing, Professor McGonagall took out her wand and waved it as they both flinched, expecting a painful spell or a damaging curse, or at least something that would rival the suffering they had been made to face when she had put the spell on them to keep the curses they had given each other the same until they were nice. Hermione shuddered as she remembered this, and went back to trying not to remember it.
Hermione's thoughts were ripped from her mind. They could both feel their legs walking them toward the chair. The spell lifted when they were both right by the front of the chair.
Malfoy sat down as though this was what he had been intending to do and he was putting on a good show of pretending that he had intended to walk there by himself, but Hermione knew better than to believe it because she had been forced to walk in the same, stumbling manner as he had.
With a huff, Hermione sat down too and scooted as far over on the chair as she could, but, seeing as this chair was made for a single person, it was a rather squashed fit and Hermione was uncomfortable being this close to Malfoy.
Their hips were touching and she could smell something pleasant and almost like after-shave, so she was pretty sure that it wasn't Malfoy, because there was nothing pleasant about him at all.
Despite what she had always told herself, she discovered that she liked being this close to Malfoy, she liked the fact that she was having some kind of body contact with a person, because she greatly lacked it.
She enjoyed being next to him, and that was the last thing that she needed on her plate at the moment. Her world couldn't fall much lower, she realized, when she fell in love with Malfoy, but she wasn't in love with him, she didn't even LIKE him. Right. Right?
Hermione was thankful for the interruption from her panicked thoughts by the entrance of Professor Dumbledore into the main part of his office. Her and Malfoy squirmed in the chair as though hoping to find a position where they wouldn't be touching, but it was a definitely losing battle.
There was absolutely no room in the chair for them to scoot into.
"Ah, Mr. Malfoy, Miss Granger, I have been expecting you for some time, you see, there is something I need to tell you." Professor Dumbledore said as Professor McGonagall walked briskly out of the room, leaving the two students and a professor in the room.
"What?" Malfoy said rudely as he conjured a nail file, and Hermione sincerely hoped he was using that only to look annoying because he looked quite girly with a nail file in his hand.
"Ah, yes, Mr. Malfoy, your father always enjoyed those sort of antics," Professor Dumbledore said calmly, and it looked as though he had predicted Malfoy's reaction right down to the last huff, Malfoy frowned, glared at Professor Dumbledore, and the nail file vanished seconds later.
"I need to tell you two something of utmost importance." Professor Dumbledore said, and Hermione leaned slightly forward while Malfoy looked rather bored and annoyed, which in turn annoyed Hermione. He was a jerk.
"Miss Granger," Professor Dumbledore began, "As you know, you have achieved high marks in Arithmacy, Care of Magical Creatures," Professor Dumbledore continued listing all of her current and past classes, achievements, awards, and positions that she had earned while in Hogwarts so far.
There were many things that he was mentioning, things that she had forgotten about at some times, but was now happy to be hearing.
Professor Dumbledore continued listing the achievements, and Hermione couldn't suppress a small smile as she remembered everything that she had earned, right up to the 145 percent in Muggle Studies last year.
Hermione felt a bubble of pride surge through her, but it deflated slightly when she saw Malfoy produce a large, huge, yawn to show that he was extremely bored with the whole thing.
Hermione rolled her eyes but refrained from speaking because she figured that she was in enough trouble in her life as it was, and she didn't want to pick another fight with Malfoy, because she was sure that she was going to be in one with him soon anyway, so she was going to wait as long as possible.
"And, Mr. Malfoy," Professor Dumbledore said, and he began to list Malfoy's achievements and awards, while it was Hermione's turn to yawn and look bored. She made it obvious and when she yawned she 'stretched' and smacked Malfoy in the face. He glared at her but didn't say anything.
"AND I would say," Professor Dumbledore said in a slightly raised voice as he fought for their attention. "That you two are something special at this school."
"I know that's right." Malfoy muttered so that only Hermione could hear him. She frowned and elbowed him in the ribs, which took very little movement seeing as she could almost be sitting in his lap.
"I think that you two may very well be the most powerful magicians in this school." Professor Dumbledore said, and Malfoy stopped yawning and appeared to actually be paying attention to what Professor Dumbledore was saying.
Professor Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he rested the tips of his fingers together and stared imploringly at the pair of them, who were engrossed in shoving each other and elbowing at each other, occasionally pinching and they seemed to not notice the old professor that was staring at them, smiling.
'He's SO annoying!' Hermione thought furiously as she shoved Malfoy's shoulder and his back his the arm of the chair before he shoved her back. Hermione was giving him a death glare and she wished he would shrivel up and die on the spot, because her life would become much easier.
Professor Dumbledore continued smiling as he stared at the pair of them, knowing that they weren't ready to listen to what he had to say, but he also knew that they NEEDED to hear what he had to say, yet he was unsure of how to break the news to the students that were sitting in front of him.
Hermione frowned at Malfoy and rolled her eyes as he stuck his tongue out at her. He was SO childish sometimes, and he wasn't even bothering to move his hair, which was hanging in his face and covering his eyes. Hermione shoved his head as far away from hers as it could go and turned, froze, and caught sight of Dumbledore, who was watching them with nothing short of vast amusement written across his old face as he watched the two of them.
Feeling a blush creep up her cheeks, she elbowed Malfoy and sat, waiting for Professor Dumbledore to continue talking. She had stopped paying attention after he had begun talking about Malfoy's achievements, and she was sure that he must have said something that was important in the time that had elapsed.
"As I was saying," Professor Dumbledore said with the air of great amusement present in his voice. "I think you two are far more powerful than you realize."
"YOU don't realize how powerful I am," Malfoy said as he 'shined' his fingers on his robes and straightened his prefect badge. Hermione rolled her eyes and wanted to hit Malfoy. He was such a jerk sometimes – scratch that – all the time, yet he expected everyone to understand him.
Hermione glanced at Dumbledore, to see his reaction, but Professor Dumbledore seemed to still be highly amused, and Hermione couldn't understand why – Malfoy had just completely insulted him, and here he was, smiling away as though this happened to him every day.
"Professor. . ." Hermione began, but Professor Dumbledore held up a hand to stop her from speaking.
"I realize that this may not be a wise choice, but I need to ask a favor of you two." Professor Dumbledore said, his amusement seeming to grow behind his eyes and his mouth was twitching.
"What?" Malfoy asked in a distracted manner, which made it obvious that he wasn't listening to a word that Professor Dumbledore was saying.
"I would like to ask if you two think you can work in close proximity with each other for a few months." Professor Dumbledore said, and Hermione immediately shook her head.
"No. Nooooo. No, no, no. N-O. No." Hermione said violently as she shook her head in the same, violent manner, not bothering to look at the expression on Professor Dumbledore's face, because she was afraid that he would be laughing or at least broadly grinning, and she didn't think that she would be able to stand watching him enjoy what was happening.
"Geez, Granger, no need to blind me with the mop on your head." Malfoy said as he shoved her hair out of his face. Hermione stuck her tongue out and went back to shaking her head vehemently.
Professor Dumbledore smiled and waited for her to finish before he continued talking.
"I understand that there are some, differences, to patch up, yet I think it would be unwise for me to ask anyone but you two." Professor Dumbledore said, and Hermione and Malfoy locked gazes for a minute before turning back to Professor Dumbledore, both looking shocked and panicky.
"When you say work together, do you mean, TOGETHER?" Hermione asked, and Malfoy smacked his forehead.
"DUH." He said with a slight edge to his voice and rolled his eyes. Hermione just then realized how stupid that had sounded, and Professor Dumbledore seemed to have understood what she was trying to say, which was a miracle because Hermione didn't really understand what she was trying to say herself, so she contented herself by turning to face Professor Dumbledore and wait to see what he was going to tell her, hoping it would be what she hoped, yet knowing it wouldn't.
"I am afraid so, Miss Granger." Professor Dumbledore said, and then he turned to look at Malfoy. "Do you find this a problem, Mr. Malfoy?"
"Yes." He said without any real enthusiasm, and he continued staring directly at Professor Dumbledore, as though this would make the decision different.
"Oh, thanks." Hermione said sarcastically as she elbowed him hard in the ribs, as though this would make her problems go away, when it didn't, she realized that she felt better when she caused bodily harm, so she continued to elbow him in the ribs, and he elbowed her back.
"I understand that there are some – problems – with having the two of you work together, but I need you two to do it." Professor Dumbledore said.
"Can't we use Harry instead of Malfoy?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, and then we can let Longbottom make our sleeping draft, and, with luck, it'll kill us." Malfoy said cynically, and Hermione rolled her eyes violently at Malfoy and almost hit him, but stopped at the last minute, deciding that this wouldn't help matters in the least, although she would have thoroughly enjoyed the process.
"I'll make sure you drink it then." Hermione snapped.
Professor Dumbledore continued on as though he were oblivious to anything that wasn't clearly directed toward him, although Hermione knew better than to assume anything of that nature.
"I am sorry, Miss Granger, but to allow Mr. Potter to take Mr. Malfoy's place could lead to dire consequences and problems that we are not ready for, most of it having to do with his connection with Lord Voldemort." Malfoy flinched, and Hermione smirked with glee. She had become accustomed to hearing the name, but found pleasure in the fact that Malfoy was afraid of him.
"Afraid of your half great-uncle twice removed?" Hermione asked, and Malfoy gave her a look of fleeting confusion before returning to his normal scowl. Hermione had achieved her goal – she had scared Malfoy.
"Oh, so . . ." Hermione said, stalling while she attempted to think of a way out of working with Malfoy, but finding no alternative, she resigned herself to the fact that she would be stuck with Malfoy no matter what she did – it was as though it was 'meant to be' but she hated that phrase partly because it was so stupid to begin with and partly because it normally had to do with love, and she DID NOT love Malfoy. End of story.
"I want to know now whether the two of you are willing to accept or not." Professor Dumbledore said, and Hermione and Malfoy both spoke at the same time.
"Yes."
"No."
Both of them looked at each other, appalled by the others' choice. Hermioen couldn't believe Malfoy – it was only for a little while, and he would have said yes to anyone else, but since it was her, the answer was no. He was so conceited sometimes, and Hermione sighed angrily.
"Jerk." Hermione mumbled so that only he could hear her.
"Mudblood." He mumbled back, his voice barely audible.
"Know-It-All." Malfoy said scornfully as he wrinkled his nose at the thought.
"Conceited git." Hermione spat back at him, not feeling the need to be kind in any way, shape, or form.
"Goody-goody."
"Evil jack –"
"Egghead." Malfoy said, interrupting her swearword with another insult.
"Cauliflower face."
"Potato ears." Malfoy said, and Hermione put a hand to her ear and brushed more hair behind it while she stuck her tongue out at Malfoy – something that she had been doing a lot around him.
"Banana nose." Hermione said while she smiled with glee at the look on his face.
"You know Granger, every girl has the right to be ugly, but you abuse the privilege." Malfoy said, a malicious smirk broadcast across his face.
"You know, Malfoy, I would be busy feeling sorry for you because you're so ugly and unpleasant to look at, but I'm too busy feeling sorry for myself because I have to look at you." Hermione was now given the turn to smirk widely as Malfoy fought to think of another insult.
"Eat dung, Granger." Malfoy said, and Hermione couldn't suppress her laughter much longer. Malfoy was completely unaware – or at least she ASSUMED that he was unaware – of the fact that he had just coined a favorite phrase of her friend, Ron Weasley.
"No thanks."
"Shut up."
"Mr. Malfoy, Miss Granger?" Professor Dumbledore said lightly and both of them whipped their heads to look at Professor Dumbledore. They had completely forgotten that they were in front of him, in his office, and all of the portraits around the room were whispering to each other in a sort of frenzy.
"Do you two think that you can work together?" Professor Dumbledore asked, and both of them took a long and hard stare at each other, and then turned back to face the old man that was waiting, eyebrows inclined, eyes twinkling.
"If he promises not to call me Mudblood." Hermione said, and she could almost feel the anger radiating off of Malfoy.
"Only if she promises not to talk to me unless its urgent." Malfoy spat, and Hermione grinned. That was exactly how she had hoped everything would go, so she had absolutely no objections to the idea.
"Fine with me." Hermione said, and Professor Dumbledore seemed to want to roll his eyes, but gave no sign of it.
"Then I shall give you your assignment." Professor Dumbledore said, waiting for their reactions.
"Yes." Hermione said even though there was no answer that was needed, and Professor Dumbledore pulled out a couple of files of papers and handed them Hermione and Malfoy.
"Inside you will find the information that you need." Professor Dumbledore said, and then he paused for a minute as the two of them riffled through their papers, and then turned back to Professor Dumbledore.
"You have permission to miss classes – up to three a day – and you need to work as quickly as possible." Professor Dumbledore continued, and Hermione could tell that this was urgent by his tone.
Hermione continued looking at her papers while she listened to Professor Dumbledore talking, and she was taking in everything that they said while processing Professor Dumbledore's words at the same time. (Multitasking!).
"I need you to examine things in the restricted section of the library, that is the only part that hasn't been searched. We need the information." Professor Dumbledore said, and Hermione did a double take at the heading on one of the papers.
---
Distances and Fractions in Space and Time Caused by Time Reversal Spells and Their Counterparts
---
Hermione tuned everything else out. Time fractions? Time REVERSAL spells? What exactly was Professor Dumbledore trying to make them do? Change history? Distort the space-time continuum?
"Can you two do this?" Professor Dumbledore asked, and Hermione vaguely remembered nodding incoherently, and she was completely unaware of the fact that Professor Dumbledore and Malfoy were working out details and speaking at all. She had no memory of anything else but that paper.
~+~
A/N: So, what do you think? There's a bit more of a plot now, and there's still insults! So cool!
Please read and review.
--Saquoia--
Kai – Wow! That's a real compliment. That makes me feel *warm and fuzzy* (corny = yes!)
The Simon Cowell of Fanfiction.net – Thanks! I will write so fast, my fingers are gonna FALL OFF!
Ariella – I know people hate cliffies, but I don't take *that* long to update, and it makes you come back to read more.
Willowfairy – Three days! That's torture! (I hope) I am writing MORE STORY! YAY! =D
Why isn't anyone reviewing anymore? What happened to everyone? Like:
Darkmoon of Shadows
Freakyfairy
Angel125
Chinagurl
Haebrethiliel
Azhure
Tanuki-Hime
Eleanor Branstone
ObliviousTrace
Jelli Bean
lily
cherryplum11
blueamber,
dracosgurl_02
Artemis
Heysweet
Psyko Pyro
starliz
Imperfectionist
Purple Spotted Hedwig
xoxo*dAiSuKi*xoxo
funkless
I have a missing person's list! Ack! I need to make it to 100 reviews people! HEEELP! Who abducted the reviewers?!
Anyway – please tell me if you have any information on these missing reviewers.
Reward: Something. =D
--Saquoia--
Chapter 13
What surprised Hermione the most was the fact that Malfoy made no sign of protesting to the idea of talking to Professor Dumbledore, despite everything that he had always said about him before. She didn't understand why he was now willing to go to the office of the man that his father hated above almost all others, but she didn't press the subject, even in her mind, because she was confused beyond recognition.
She wasn't sure of anything anymore, because everything she had been sure of wasn't how she had thought it was.
She had always thought that Harry and Ron would never turn on her, but they had, then she had never thought that she would be forced to live in the same dormitory with Draco Malfoy, but here she was, and she had NEVER EVER thought that she would have anything in common with Draco Malfoy, but here she was, going to see Dumbledore because they had been having the same dreams.
The fact that she had been having the same dreams as him scared her too, because she was beginning to wonder whether this meant that they had some kind of 'connection' because that would mean that her mind could be connected to his and that wasn't something that she wanted to think about, because that would only be another reason for her and Malfoy to get along.
Getting along with Malfoy was the last thing that she needed now and ever. He would be another reason for her life to fall into the downward spiral it was in and she was trying to avoid that.
They both walked, grudgingly, into the headmaster's office, their shoulders bumping, and they both turned and glared at each other, which sent a wave of relief through Hermione's conscience. They still weren't getting along.
As they entered the headmaster's room, though, Hermione's breath caught in her chest. It was amazing – the portraits and every instrument, wall, and shelf seemed to have been cleaned and it was more amazing than she remembered it ever being. Malfoy, however, didn't seem to share her sentiment. He wrinkled his nose and stared disdainfully at everything in the office, and Hermione felt quite annoyed with him. The least he could do was show a little respect for someone like Professor Dumbledore, because he was a very powerful wizard.
Professor McGonagall motioned for them to sit down, and they both stared at the single chair in contempt.
"Sit." Professor McGonagall said expectantly, and again, they both stared at the single chair that was there. There was no way that Hermione was going to sit down in the same chair as Draco Malfoy, although her attempts to communicate this urgent point to Professor McGonagall at this point were all completely lost and utterly pointless, as they seemed to fall upon deaf ears.
Both of them glared at each other as though daring the other to be ruder and sit down, and when neither of them moved Professor McGonagall seemed to lose her maintained cool somewhat and she took a more commanding and angry tone that caught them off guard.
"Alright, you two are model students, yet you aren't showing me anything to be proud of right now." Professor McGonagall glared at the pair of them, and they seemed to be slightly ashamed under her angry gaze, but their feelings faltered as she continued issuing her commands to the pair of them.
"SIT." Professor McGonagall said, gesturing violently toward the single chair, and Hermione turned to glare at Malfoy as she watched him watching her. Neither of them had even showed signs of moving yet, and she doubted that she would be moving in any time at all, because she simply refused to. There was no way in the world that she would sit with Malfoy.
Professor McGonagall had a pained expression on her face, as though she didn't want to do what she was about to, and she motioned for them to sit down again, the pained expression still on her face, but her commanding nature never leaving for a second.
Hermione huffed and looked at Malfoy, who looked equally bewildered, which caught Hermione by surprised, because he NEVER looked bewildered, yet everything had been different lately so she didn't think very much of it. She was sure that her sanity was slipping away.
Sighing, Professor McGonagall took out her wand and waved it as they both flinched, expecting a painful spell or a damaging curse, or at least something that would rival the suffering they had been made to face when she had put the spell on them to keep the curses they had given each other the same until they were nice. Hermione shuddered as she remembered this, and went back to trying not to remember it.
Hermione's thoughts were ripped from her mind. They could both feel their legs walking them toward the chair. The spell lifted when they were both right by the front of the chair.
Malfoy sat down as though this was what he had been intending to do and he was putting on a good show of pretending that he had intended to walk there by himself, but Hermione knew better than to believe it because she had been forced to walk in the same, stumbling manner as he had.
With a huff, Hermione sat down too and scooted as far over on the chair as she could, but, seeing as this chair was made for a single person, it was a rather squashed fit and Hermione was uncomfortable being this close to Malfoy.
Their hips were touching and she could smell something pleasant and almost like after-shave, so she was pretty sure that it wasn't Malfoy, because there was nothing pleasant about him at all.
Despite what she had always told herself, she discovered that she liked being this close to Malfoy, she liked the fact that she was having some kind of body contact with a person, because she greatly lacked it.
She enjoyed being next to him, and that was the last thing that she needed on her plate at the moment. Her world couldn't fall much lower, she realized, when she fell in love with Malfoy, but she wasn't in love with him, she didn't even LIKE him. Right. Right?
Hermione was thankful for the interruption from her panicked thoughts by the entrance of Professor Dumbledore into the main part of his office. Her and Malfoy squirmed in the chair as though hoping to find a position where they wouldn't be touching, but it was a definitely losing battle.
There was absolutely no room in the chair for them to scoot into.
"Ah, Mr. Malfoy, Miss Granger, I have been expecting you for some time, you see, there is something I need to tell you." Professor Dumbledore said as Professor McGonagall walked briskly out of the room, leaving the two students and a professor in the room.
"What?" Malfoy said rudely as he conjured a nail file, and Hermione sincerely hoped he was using that only to look annoying because he looked quite girly with a nail file in his hand.
"Ah, yes, Mr. Malfoy, your father always enjoyed those sort of antics," Professor Dumbledore said calmly, and it looked as though he had predicted Malfoy's reaction right down to the last huff, Malfoy frowned, glared at Professor Dumbledore, and the nail file vanished seconds later.
"I need to tell you two something of utmost importance." Professor Dumbledore said, and Hermione leaned slightly forward while Malfoy looked rather bored and annoyed, which in turn annoyed Hermione. He was a jerk.
"Miss Granger," Professor Dumbledore began, "As you know, you have achieved high marks in Arithmacy, Care of Magical Creatures," Professor Dumbledore continued listing all of her current and past classes, achievements, awards, and positions that she had earned while in Hogwarts so far.
There were many things that he was mentioning, things that she had forgotten about at some times, but was now happy to be hearing.
Professor Dumbledore continued listing the achievements, and Hermione couldn't suppress a small smile as she remembered everything that she had earned, right up to the 145 percent in Muggle Studies last year.
Hermione felt a bubble of pride surge through her, but it deflated slightly when she saw Malfoy produce a large, huge, yawn to show that he was extremely bored with the whole thing.
Hermione rolled her eyes but refrained from speaking because she figured that she was in enough trouble in her life as it was, and she didn't want to pick another fight with Malfoy, because she was sure that she was going to be in one with him soon anyway, so she was going to wait as long as possible.
"And, Mr. Malfoy," Professor Dumbledore said, and he began to list Malfoy's achievements and awards, while it was Hermione's turn to yawn and look bored. She made it obvious and when she yawned she 'stretched' and smacked Malfoy in the face. He glared at her but didn't say anything.
"AND I would say," Professor Dumbledore said in a slightly raised voice as he fought for their attention. "That you two are something special at this school."
"I know that's right." Malfoy muttered so that only Hermione could hear him. She frowned and elbowed him in the ribs, which took very little movement seeing as she could almost be sitting in his lap.
"I think that you two may very well be the most powerful magicians in this school." Professor Dumbledore said, and Malfoy stopped yawning and appeared to actually be paying attention to what Professor Dumbledore was saying.
Professor Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he rested the tips of his fingers together and stared imploringly at the pair of them, who were engrossed in shoving each other and elbowing at each other, occasionally pinching and they seemed to not notice the old professor that was staring at them, smiling.
'He's SO annoying!' Hermione thought furiously as she shoved Malfoy's shoulder and his back his the arm of the chair before he shoved her back. Hermione was giving him a death glare and she wished he would shrivel up and die on the spot, because her life would become much easier.
Professor Dumbledore continued smiling as he stared at the pair of them, knowing that they weren't ready to listen to what he had to say, but he also knew that they NEEDED to hear what he had to say, yet he was unsure of how to break the news to the students that were sitting in front of him.
Hermione frowned at Malfoy and rolled her eyes as he stuck his tongue out at her. He was SO childish sometimes, and he wasn't even bothering to move his hair, which was hanging in his face and covering his eyes. Hermione shoved his head as far away from hers as it could go and turned, froze, and caught sight of Dumbledore, who was watching them with nothing short of vast amusement written across his old face as he watched the two of them.
Feeling a blush creep up her cheeks, she elbowed Malfoy and sat, waiting for Professor Dumbledore to continue talking. She had stopped paying attention after he had begun talking about Malfoy's achievements, and she was sure that he must have said something that was important in the time that had elapsed.
"As I was saying," Professor Dumbledore said with the air of great amusement present in his voice. "I think you two are far more powerful than you realize."
"YOU don't realize how powerful I am," Malfoy said as he 'shined' his fingers on his robes and straightened his prefect badge. Hermione rolled her eyes and wanted to hit Malfoy. He was such a jerk sometimes – scratch that – all the time, yet he expected everyone to understand him.
Hermione glanced at Dumbledore, to see his reaction, but Professor Dumbledore seemed to still be highly amused, and Hermione couldn't understand why – Malfoy had just completely insulted him, and here he was, smiling away as though this happened to him every day.
"Professor. . ." Hermione began, but Professor Dumbledore held up a hand to stop her from speaking.
"I realize that this may not be a wise choice, but I need to ask a favor of you two." Professor Dumbledore said, his amusement seeming to grow behind his eyes and his mouth was twitching.
"What?" Malfoy asked in a distracted manner, which made it obvious that he wasn't listening to a word that Professor Dumbledore was saying.
"I would like to ask if you two think you can work in close proximity with each other for a few months." Professor Dumbledore said, and Hermione immediately shook her head.
"No. Nooooo. No, no, no. N-O. No." Hermione said violently as she shook her head in the same, violent manner, not bothering to look at the expression on Professor Dumbledore's face, because she was afraid that he would be laughing or at least broadly grinning, and she didn't think that she would be able to stand watching him enjoy what was happening.
"Geez, Granger, no need to blind me with the mop on your head." Malfoy said as he shoved her hair out of his face. Hermione stuck her tongue out and went back to shaking her head vehemently.
Professor Dumbledore smiled and waited for her to finish before he continued talking.
"I understand that there are some, differences, to patch up, yet I think it would be unwise for me to ask anyone but you two." Professor Dumbledore said, and Hermione and Malfoy locked gazes for a minute before turning back to Professor Dumbledore, both looking shocked and panicky.
"When you say work together, do you mean, TOGETHER?" Hermione asked, and Malfoy smacked his forehead.
"DUH." He said with a slight edge to his voice and rolled his eyes. Hermione just then realized how stupid that had sounded, and Professor Dumbledore seemed to have understood what she was trying to say, which was a miracle because Hermione didn't really understand what she was trying to say herself, so she contented herself by turning to face Professor Dumbledore and wait to see what he was going to tell her, hoping it would be what she hoped, yet knowing it wouldn't.
"I am afraid so, Miss Granger." Professor Dumbledore said, and then he turned to look at Malfoy. "Do you find this a problem, Mr. Malfoy?"
"Yes." He said without any real enthusiasm, and he continued staring directly at Professor Dumbledore, as though this would make the decision different.
"Oh, thanks." Hermione said sarcastically as she elbowed him hard in the ribs, as though this would make her problems go away, when it didn't, she realized that she felt better when she caused bodily harm, so she continued to elbow him in the ribs, and he elbowed her back.
"I understand that there are some – problems – with having the two of you work together, but I need you two to do it." Professor Dumbledore said.
"Can't we use Harry instead of Malfoy?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, and then we can let Longbottom make our sleeping draft, and, with luck, it'll kill us." Malfoy said cynically, and Hermione rolled her eyes violently at Malfoy and almost hit him, but stopped at the last minute, deciding that this wouldn't help matters in the least, although she would have thoroughly enjoyed the process.
"I'll make sure you drink it then." Hermione snapped.
Professor Dumbledore continued on as though he were oblivious to anything that wasn't clearly directed toward him, although Hermione knew better than to assume anything of that nature.
"I am sorry, Miss Granger, but to allow Mr. Potter to take Mr. Malfoy's place could lead to dire consequences and problems that we are not ready for, most of it having to do with his connection with Lord Voldemort." Malfoy flinched, and Hermione smirked with glee. She had become accustomed to hearing the name, but found pleasure in the fact that Malfoy was afraid of him.
"Afraid of your half great-uncle twice removed?" Hermione asked, and Malfoy gave her a look of fleeting confusion before returning to his normal scowl. Hermione had achieved her goal – she had scared Malfoy.
"Oh, so . . ." Hermione said, stalling while she attempted to think of a way out of working with Malfoy, but finding no alternative, she resigned herself to the fact that she would be stuck with Malfoy no matter what she did – it was as though it was 'meant to be' but she hated that phrase partly because it was so stupid to begin with and partly because it normally had to do with love, and she DID NOT love Malfoy. End of story.
"I want to know now whether the two of you are willing to accept or not." Professor Dumbledore said, and Hermione and Malfoy both spoke at the same time.
"Yes."
"No."
Both of them looked at each other, appalled by the others' choice. Hermioen couldn't believe Malfoy – it was only for a little while, and he would have said yes to anyone else, but since it was her, the answer was no. He was so conceited sometimes, and Hermione sighed angrily.
"Jerk." Hermione mumbled so that only he could hear her.
"Mudblood." He mumbled back, his voice barely audible.
"Know-It-All." Malfoy said scornfully as he wrinkled his nose at the thought.
"Conceited git." Hermione spat back at him, not feeling the need to be kind in any way, shape, or form.
"Goody-goody."
"Evil jack –"
"Egghead." Malfoy said, interrupting her swearword with another insult.
"Cauliflower face."
"Potato ears." Malfoy said, and Hermione put a hand to her ear and brushed more hair behind it while she stuck her tongue out at Malfoy – something that she had been doing a lot around him.
"Banana nose." Hermione said while she smiled with glee at the look on his face.
"You know Granger, every girl has the right to be ugly, but you abuse the privilege." Malfoy said, a malicious smirk broadcast across his face.
"You know, Malfoy, I would be busy feeling sorry for you because you're so ugly and unpleasant to look at, but I'm too busy feeling sorry for myself because I have to look at you." Hermione was now given the turn to smirk widely as Malfoy fought to think of another insult.
"Eat dung, Granger." Malfoy said, and Hermione couldn't suppress her laughter much longer. Malfoy was completely unaware – or at least she ASSUMED that he was unaware – of the fact that he had just coined a favorite phrase of her friend, Ron Weasley.
"No thanks."
"Shut up."
"Mr. Malfoy, Miss Granger?" Professor Dumbledore said lightly and both of them whipped their heads to look at Professor Dumbledore. They had completely forgotten that they were in front of him, in his office, and all of the portraits around the room were whispering to each other in a sort of frenzy.
"Do you two think that you can work together?" Professor Dumbledore asked, and both of them took a long and hard stare at each other, and then turned back to face the old man that was waiting, eyebrows inclined, eyes twinkling.
"If he promises not to call me Mudblood." Hermione said, and she could almost feel the anger radiating off of Malfoy.
"Only if she promises not to talk to me unless its urgent." Malfoy spat, and Hermione grinned. That was exactly how she had hoped everything would go, so she had absolutely no objections to the idea.
"Fine with me." Hermione said, and Professor Dumbledore seemed to want to roll his eyes, but gave no sign of it.
"Then I shall give you your assignment." Professor Dumbledore said, waiting for their reactions.
"Yes." Hermione said even though there was no answer that was needed, and Professor Dumbledore pulled out a couple of files of papers and handed them Hermione and Malfoy.
"Inside you will find the information that you need." Professor Dumbledore said, and then he paused for a minute as the two of them riffled through their papers, and then turned back to Professor Dumbledore.
"You have permission to miss classes – up to three a day – and you need to work as quickly as possible." Professor Dumbledore continued, and Hermione could tell that this was urgent by his tone.
Hermione continued looking at her papers while she listened to Professor Dumbledore talking, and she was taking in everything that they said while processing Professor Dumbledore's words at the same time. (Multitasking!).
"I need you to examine things in the restricted section of the library, that is the only part that hasn't been searched. We need the information." Professor Dumbledore said, and Hermione did a double take at the heading on one of the papers.
---
Distances and Fractions in Space and Time Caused by Time Reversal Spells and Their Counterparts
---
Hermione tuned everything else out. Time fractions? Time REVERSAL spells? What exactly was Professor Dumbledore trying to make them do? Change history? Distort the space-time continuum?
"Can you two do this?" Professor Dumbledore asked, and Hermione vaguely remembered nodding incoherently, and she was completely unaware of the fact that Professor Dumbledore and Malfoy were working out details and speaking at all. She had no memory of anything else but that paper.
~+~
A/N: So, what do you think? There's a bit more of a plot now, and there's still insults! So cool!
Please read and review.
--Saquoia--