:: Chapter Twenty-Six: Questioning ::
Hermione had quickly fallen back into the rhythm of things but Draco was having a hard time adjusting to this new lifestyle. For the third time in one class period he had to tell the same student to start over. He often asked himself why Neville Longbottom would have children.
"Miss Longbottom, please watch what you're doing." He scolded as her potion turned a vibrant green instead of the soft blue it was supposed to turn. If anyone had been paying close attention they could have heard him mutter something that sounded an awful lot like 'Bloody Gryffindors'. However the Slytherins seemed to be faring no better. He decided it was the second years that were trouble. With numerous blue potions and the few green ones provided by Isabella Longbottom and Tyler Weasley, who happened to be Fred's son, placed on the counter the class hour ended. Draco sat at his desk and wiped the board clean with a flick of his wand. Before he had time to catch his breath the sixth year students filed through. Draco waited until they all took their seats before he began.
"Good day, I'm Professor Malfoy, I'll be teaching this class for the remainder of the term. Today we'll be making a mild truth potion. At the end of the period you'll be testing them on a partner of your choice. Be careful with your choice of questions, as this potion will only allow you to ask one question. Now, does anyone have any questions before you begin?"
"Professor…" A girl in the back raised her hand. "Are you and Professor Granger seeing each other?" Shock registered on his face.
"Any relevant questions?" He sneered.
"Professor… Why deny it? The majority of us saw you two in the snow the other day. We're just wondering because we haven't seen Professor Granger this happy in a while." The same girl protested.
"Is it true that she cheated on the Harry Potter with you?" Another girl asked in rushed voice.
"Girls!" Draco snapped. "My personal life is none of your concern. Now please get started on your potions." He waved his wand and the instructions appeared on the chalkboard.
"Professor Granger, are you dating that new professor?" A young third year asked at the beginning of class.
"Miss Harrison, what does this have to do with transfiguring a needle?" Hermione asked.
"Nothing, I was just wondering."
"It's none of your business now lets continue. Does anyone know the proper wrist motion for this spell?" A girl sitting in the front on the room raised her hand. "Yes Miss Taylor?"
"Are you seeing him?" She asked meekly.
Hermione sighed in defeat. "If you must know… It's none of your business." A few of the girls let out aggravated sighs and the boys rolled their eyes.
The rest of both of their classes went a similar way. By the end of the day Draco was ready to hex the majority of them into oblivion. Hermione however was taking a more simple approach, ignoring everything related to their personal lives. At dinner they soon found out that much of the other professor's classes were interrogating them about the same subject.
"A few students in each of my classes wanted to know if there was anything going on between you two." Parvarti said from her seat next to Hermione at the staff table.
"What did you tell them?" Draco inquired from the opposite side of Hermione.
"I told them that it was none of their concern." She stated piling a mountain of mashed potatoes onto her plate.
"It's beginning to concern me how much these children care about our personal lives." Hermione said thoughtfully.
"I don't think they care about your personal lives, I think they want to know if the dashing new professor is available." Parvarti winked at Draco.
"Oh please." He protested.
"Don't 'Oh please' me. Even thought you were the "King of Slytherin" and all that you were still the most attractive guy in our class, perhaps even in our school. I admit I fancied you." She said with a shrug. "What about you Hermione?"
"I can't say that I ever fancied you in school. The infernal name calling kept me from it."
"That wasn't the question." Parvarti sighed. "The question was did you think he was attractive or not?"
"How'd we get on this topic?" Hermione asked.
"Stop avoiding the question!" By this time Draco was thoroughly interested.
"Alright fine! I thought he was very attractive. Are you happy now?"
Draco smirked smugly. "Who would have thought the female third of the Golden Trio found her archenemy attractive?"
"Shut it Malfoy." She snapped, returning back to her food. Parvarti and Draco simply smiled before doing the same