Facing the Inevitable
Disclaimer: The characters do no belong to me, only the Plot. All characters are property of J.K. Rowling.
Rating: PG-13
===Note===
Okay, I know what I'm going to write about now. I mapped out the plot and major events and everything. =) Believe me, I know the whole Hermione tutoring Draco thing is overdone, but that isn't really a major factor of the story. You'll see soon enough, that's not even important. Anyways, you'll find the plot starting to build by Chapter 3. This is going to be a very angsty story.
Chapter 2: Infuriating Perplexity
After a not so successful first attempt, Hermione stubbornly chose to schedule another study session. This was mainly due to the fact that she was receiving extra credit for her efforts, but also because on some level she wished to see Malfoy struggle.
It had come as somewhat of a surprise to her when the Professors assigned her this task. After all, Malfoy may not be her favorite person, be she knew he was fairly intelligent.
She agreed to tutor him even after much discouragement from her two best friends. Both Harry and Ron insisted this could only result in much misery on both their parts. And, although they would have found much enjoyment at Malfoy's suffering, they did not want to expose Hermione to his no doubt unpleasant company.
The second study session was scheduled for two days after their first. Hermione arranged the time and place through her professors to avoid more contact with Malfoy than necessary. She wasn't certain if he would bother to meet with her at all, but decided that her efforts would be rewarded no matter what he did or did not do.
Entering the library on the arranged day, Hermione was partially surprised to find Malfoy already there and waiting for her. It was obvious by his expression that he had no desire to be there at all and she realized the Professors must have forced him.
Hermione took the seat opposite him once more and stared into his eyes with determination. She knew that she had retreated far too soon the last session, and she fully intended to fight him with equal ferocity this time. It had been startling when Malfoy rose from his chair abruptly and glared at her with hatred. But, Hermione decided she wouldn't be so easily frightened if it were to happen again.
The wizard before her seemed calm at the moment. Casually, he flipped through the textbook in front of him but didn't seem to take in any of the information. With a sigh, Hermione decided to begin the session and face whatever insults he would throw at her.
"Well, let's start with advanced charm work, shall we?" She spoke with false cheer in an attempt to pass the hour quickly. She received a sarcastic snort in response.
"Oh bloody hell, Granger. What are you trying to do?"
She ignored the comment to the best of her ability and continued as if he had never spoken.
"So anyway, to charm an inanimate object to perform a task, you begin by..."
Hermione paused as she looked up from the text book. She watched as Malfoy's quill stood on its tip and began drawing offensive doodles on the parchment before him. Damnit, she did not like to be made to look a fool.
Malfoy obviously could read her thoughts because he smirked with satisfaction. Hermione found it to be the most irritating sight on earth. She was still determined however to witness him struggle with his magic. Flipping through to the back of the book, she chose a more difficult spell.
"Alright then, I see you've mastered that. Let's try something a little more complicated."
She received no real response from him other than his exasperating smirk. The entire next hour was spent in much the same fashion. Hermione attempted to make Malfoy suffer with ever harder spells, and he in turn caused her much annoyance when he performed them with ease. Many times she found the charm already completed before she could finish the instructions. This was hardly going as she had anticipated.
When the session concluded, Hermione found herself extremely aggravated and unsure why Malfoy had accepted a tutor in the first place. He certainly did not seem to need her assistance and if that was true, why should she bother at all? Gathering her things quickly, Hermione left the library in a huff, determined to not waste anymore time on that ungrateful little weasel.
All study sessions probably would have ended from that point forward, but Malfoy continued to fail his courses. Hermione couldn't quite understand it.
She began watching him in classes they had together in hopes of discovering how he could be doing so poorly.
In potions, Malfoy barely seemed to remain awake. And, when the time came to add the ingredients into the cauldron, he drew random vitals to create disastrous results. Hermione would have laughed at the outcome of some of these mixtures if she hadn't been so perplexed. It was inconceivable why he should purposefully ruin his academic career.
Hermione watched him in other classes as well. In charms, he paid no attention and simply refused to even attempt any of the tasks assigned. In Transfiguration, he sat back and chatted with his burly friends as if he had not a care in the world. She realized quite suddenly that he would continue to fail with or without her help. But, because he was still disappointing the Professors, Hermione was obligated to continue the useless study sessions.
Finding herself without any other options, Hermione arranged yet another meeting, which would no doubt, end in much frustration. This time however, she felt determined to discover just why exactly Malfoy flatly refused to show any effort in his courses.
Once again, they met in the library, but this time Hermione didn't even bother to bring her books. She knew by this point that no new knowledge was going to be gained in any of the time they spent together.
Sitting herself before the disgruntled looking Malfoy, Hermione ventured at harmless conversation. She didn't expect him to openly discuss with her the nature of his behavior, but decided it was worth a try.
"Professor McGonagall tells me to review a simple transfiguration spell with you; seems you failed the quiz yesterday."
Malfoy only looked at her reproachfully for a moment before leaning back in his seat and closing his eyes. He seemed unconcerned by her words and chose to ignore them completely.
He spoke with his eyes still closed. "As I've said, Granger, there's nothing which you could help me with."
"If you would wipe that smug look off your face for a moment, perhaps you would realize that you need all the help you can get."
She didn't actually mean he needed her assistance. But, with the odd way he had been acting, Hermione fully believed he needed some sort of help; perhaps something along the lines of mental help.
Draco openly laughed at her statement. She clenched her teeth at the sound. Her job would be so much simpler if only he would cooperate.
"Really, Granger, for a supposedly intelligent witch, you seem rather dimwitted at the moment. I don't see why you bother."
No, Hermione didn't see why she bothered either. Obviously, she was only wasting her time with this thankless job.
"That's fine. Just remember, if you refuse to listen to me, Malfoy, you're just going to find yourself assigned with another, less generous, tutor."
Again her statement drew a chuckle from him. Hermione felt a blush creep up her neck and consume her face. It infuriated her that her attempts to irritate him only resulted in her own humiliation. Originally she had hoped to see him struggle through these sessions. Unfortunately, she realized now that that was unlikely to happen.
"Granger, as delightful as you are, I highly doubt I could be given a less generous tutor. But please, feel free to dismiss yourself from this job, I won't stop you."
Hermione felt certain if she clenched her teeth any tighter they would shatter. She was determined however, to win this round. Another retreat was simply not acceptable.
"Although the offer is tempting, I just don't believe I can let the Professors down. After all, they practically pleaded with me to help you. They told me you were desperate for my time." It wasn't actually true what she said. But, Hermione decided a little embellishment wouldn't do any harm.
She hid a satisfied smirk when Malfoy narrowed his eyes into a glare. It was funny how such a small blow to his pride could anger him. She waited a moment for his retort. She had no doubt it would be bitter and cruel.
"Actually, I have never been desperate for anything in my life; least of all your company. But please, jump to do the Professors' bidding. Then you might receive the nice pat on the head you always seem to desire."
Hermione prayed her face would not become any more heated. Malfoy had, once again, gained a verbal victory over her. She found herself too furious to even reply. She searched her mind for a clever remark but found none. Unable to stare at his infuriating face any longer, Hermione stood.
"We'll resume this Wednesday," she called over her shoulder as she walked from the table.
With an over exaggerated sigh, Malfoy responded, "haven't you had enough!?"
Hermione ignored the comment and left the library with the bitter realization that she had not achieved anything at all.
==Note===
Be patient with me, this is the last dull chapter you'll be reading with this thing. I have to set everything up before all the drama starts. Prepare for a ton of fun filled angst...
Review please.
-Captive