by squidward
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DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter and Kareshi Kanojyo no Jijyou (Kare-Kano for short, His and Her Circumstances in English). JK Rowling and GAINAX do though…
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HIS AND HER CIRCUMSTANCESUnwanted Discovery: Hermione in Trouble!
Being ultimately busy Hermione was shocked to find out that the Halloween Feast would be held three days from now. It had been almost two months already but Hermione felt that it was still September. She had been burying herself to studying recently all because of her desire to beat Draco Malfoy.
And she did beat him last week, in their Arithmancy exam. But when she was expecting to enjoy her victory she realized that she was a poser all along so she hadn't enjoyed her victory at all. Then to her surprise, Draco confessed his love the next day! And she rejected him without second thought. She could remember Draco's sad face when she said no. Since then he didn't talk to her again.
"Hermione, are you going to Hogsmeade tomorrow?" Ron asked. Hermione forgot about the Hogsmeade trip, and she had no plans going. She had been very tired and she wanted to have a rest. And she wanted to enjoy the privacy Gryffindor tower would give her tomorrow, for Professor Dumbledore had issued an order that all students, regardless of their year level, could go to Hogsmeade tomorrow. It was just this time though, and Hermione was clueless about the reason.
"Hermione, are you there?" Ron asked again, breaking Hermione's trail of thoughts.
"Oh, sorry. I was just thinking about something else," she let out a little laugh, "what were you asking again?"
"Are you going to Hogsmeade tomorrow?"
"Er, no. I would love to but I'm really tired. Why did you ask?" she looked at Ron curiously. Ron's ears turned pink.
"Well, I, er, just, well, nothing really. I'm just curious," he said hastily, "see you later then." Hermione waved goodbye and watched Ron ran to Harry's direction. She scanned the noisy room and her eyes fell on the excited looking first years. She smiled fondly at them. They would give her enough rest tomorrow.
By the looks of it, every Gryffindor but Hermione was going to Hogsmeade. She woke up and found herself the only one in the dormitory. She wore her hairnet and made sure that no hair would fall – she hadn't applied Sleakeazy Potion on it yet so it was very bushy. She peeped in other rooms and down the Gryffindor common room. It was empty. She glanced at her watch and saw that it was already ten o'clock. They had departed at about nine o'clock so nobody was there except her.
She removed her hairnet and danced her way down the common room. She jumped on a couch and sat there lazily. It was heaven. The peace and freedom the room was providing were soothing. Being lazy after hectic weeks was the best. She lied on the couch, hummed a Muggle song that she loved, her hair dangling all over. If anyone would she her now they would not recognize her. Sloppy and lazy, the girl lying on the couch was the exact opposite of any model student. But believe or not, that slack girl and the Arithmancy topnotcher were one and the same.
"Ah, this is life," Hermione mumbled as she massage her shoulder. This was her real self and coming out of her shell was really relaxing. She didn't have to watch her every move because no one was there. She was all alone and she could do whatever she wanted without worrying about her image.
"I wonder if there is any student left apart from me?" she pondered. She wanted to run on the corridors like a mad rhinoceros to celebrate this freedom but there were still teachers around. Honestly, protecting her image was really exhausting and days like this come only once in a blue moon. So Hermione, without any hesitation, let out her true self and relaxed on the Gryffindor common room.
She perfectly knew that she only had a limited time. She had never eaten anything yet and she was still in her nightdress. But she didn't move, she was in a very comfortable position and she wasn't hungry yet anyway.
After what seemed like forever-idle moment, Hermione got up. Her hair became bushier and she looked very shabby. She stretched her arms and massaged her neck. She was hungry now. Her eyes were half-closed, she didn't know if she was sleepwalking or she was dreaming. She stomped out of the portrait hole, her mind directed to go down to the Great Hall.
It was strange, even to herself, that she was letting her guard down. But why she didn't care was what surprised her more. Was it the strong desire of her true self to get out? Probably, she thought, because she couldn't keep it forever. It just wanted a short stroll in the corridors and depriving it would be harsh. She was gliding happily on the seventh floor corridors, carefree and restless. The feeling was so nice she wanted to stay like that forever.
But everything seemed to be contradicting her sweet fate. As she was walking merrily on the corridors, dancing and humming dreamily, she bumped to someone, throwing herself on the floor. She was so pissed at the interruption she yelled without looking at the person who bumped her.
"Watch where you going, you slimy bloke- what?!" Hermione's eyes became glassy and motionless, like she was petrified. Her jaw dropped and her mind stopped functioning. She stared, horrorstruck, at the figure in front of her.
Draco Malfoy was the one who bumped her.
He was wearing the same expression as Hermione's. Disbelief, confusion, horror – these were painted on Draco's face all at the same time. He was standing as still as the statue, his gaze not leaving Hermione.
"S-sorry. I-I didn't s-see y-you c-coming," Draco stuttered. He held out his shaking hand to help Hermione, but she didn't move. Her face was so red and her knees turned jelly-like. But she had to get up, so she boldly stood up, avoided Draco's eyes, and shouted sorry before running away from him.
That was so mortifying! Why did she let her guard down? It was her biggest mistake! Why, why did she have to stroll without even combing her hair? Hermione continued to run. She was fighting back her tears. She just couldn't stand the humiliation. Before she knew it she already reached the portrait, shouted the password angrily and ran back to her dormitory.
She buried her face on her pillow. Why did she always end up seeing Draco Malfoy during her silly moments! He was so shocked, his face showed it, but he still tried to act politely. He was really amazing. She was probably the first girl to upset him that much. It was really horrible.
What would happen to her then? She hurried to her drawer and rummaged for the Sleakeazy Potion and her comb. She sat in front of the mirror, taming her revolting hair. She looked disgusting. She was a complete mess. Her eyes became misty again.
Would he tell everyone? Draco was smart and she knew he already understood what was the situation. He already knew that she was just acting. He already knew that she was just a poser.
She brushed her hair briskly. She had to look good before anyone arrived. She still had to act like nothing happened. But what if he already told everyone? Rumors in Hogwarts traveled faster than the speed of sound. She would be the school's laughingstock. Those students who admired her would now look at her with pure loathing. She deceived everyone and she could already see price she had to pay…
A week passed and there was no trace that her secret was spilled even to a single student other than Draco Malfoy. Everyone was still friendly to her and she could still see the boys goggling at the sight of her. Hermione watched Draco Malfoy from a far. He was as normal as never, acting like nothing happened. But she could tell that he was avoiding her. Hermione didn't know if that was a good thing, but the normality of the situation was troubling her all the more. Once Draco caught her staring and their eyes locked for a moment. Hermione was trying to read his expression, but she hadn't read any.
Hermione was just oblivious on what to do. She was feeling gloomy everyday. Should she talk to him? Should she plead to him not to tell? But that was more humiliating, wasn't it? Then a thought struck her. The lively glint in her eyes came back and she smirked triumphantly.
Draco Malfoy wouldn't tell anyone, Hermione concluded. He was a good man, respectful, and understanding. He was decent and had a good upbringing and he would not squeal things like that to anyone. Unlike her, he was a genuine good person so he already knew that it would bring her to damnation if he would tell. And unlike her, he was naturally merciful and kind-hearted; he would not devastate a girl's life – he was a perfect gentleman. Hermione sniggered.
That was it! Problem solved!
Hermione turned back to her cheerful self after. She was surprised she hadn't thought of it earlier. She only had to keep her guard on - just to make sure that that would never happen again.
But should she feel comfortable?
She didn't care about the matter anymore though she still wasn't talking to Malfoy. But whether she liked it or not she had to. Just like now that she was assigned to patrol the corridors with him.
Hermione was feeling awkward. She tried to avoid Draco's eyes, which, luckily, were looking straight ahead and ignoring hers. They stayed quiet, and Hermione maintained a two-feet distance from him.
The silence was deafening but Hermione kept in mind that there was no need to talk. She would no sooner start a conversation than eat her shoes. They were there to patrol the corridors, not to have a little chitchat. It was better for both of them to remain quiet - or at least to Hermione. But the silence must be bothering Draco. He stopped and the last beat of his heels echoed on the almost deserted corridor, making Hermione's heart jolt. He turned to Hermione, his cold gray eyes staring fixedly at her. Hermione started to sweat.
"That was a nice shock last Saturday," he began tonelessly. Hermione felt her whole body was being shattered down to the smallest nerve. Why was he talking about it?
Draco continued to stare at her. Hermione didn't know what to do. Where would this lead? What would he do next?
Hermione didn't know if it was her instinct or her overly confused brain - she was already bowing her head apologetically at him. "I-I'm so sorry about it!" she burst out, the corners of her mouth trembling. She could feel her entire body shaking. She nervously looked up at him again, "Will you, will you, er, please not tell anyone? Will you?"
She could feel her sweat trickling on her cheeks down to her chin. Draco was still staring at her, his eyes still unreadable. Hermione's heart was throbbing faster. She tried to stare back, her begging brown eyes attempting to read Draco's mind, mortification mounting in her chest.
It felt like the time stopped because no one moved. Just then, Draco broke into a smile. It was a gentle smile. All of Hermione's worries escaped her. A little voice her that he wouldn't tell.
"Of course, I will keep my mouth shut," Draco said, but his tone was sly and frightening. Hermione noticed this and she started sweating again. Did I hear it right or what?
"Oh, that was very kind of you," Hermione said and she bowed gratefully again. But before she could get her head up a heavy weight fell on her head. She grabbed whatever it was hastily.
It was a pile of semi-rolled blank parchments. She looked quizzically from the parchments to Draco, who was smirking mischievously. Hermione turned back to the parchment and saw the only one with a handwriting he recognized as Draco's.
Transfiguration Essay: Explain the Ways of Doing the Conjuring Spell (18 inches)
Potions Essay: Discuss the Ingredients and Procedure in Making a Verisaterum or Truth Potion (two feet)
Charms Essay: How To Do The Bubblehead Charm (one foot)
"What's this?" Hermione asked, perplexed. Draco's smirk grew wider.
"It was not easy to keep my mouth shut, you know," he said, "You have to ALWAYS remind me that it is a SE–CRET." Draco grinned and Hermione turned purple. Was he doing what she thought he was doing?
Draco watched Hermione's terrified expression amusedly. "I need those finished tomorrow, okay. I'll just meet you at the unused classroom on the Charms corridor after dinner. So, I'll go ahead. Good bye!" He waved impishly at her and smirked before turning away. Hermione stood limply on her spot, listening to Draco's dying footsteps. It took her quite a while to snap back to reality.
It was undoubtedly blackmail! Draco Malfoy was blackmailing her! She looked at the piles of parchments she was holding. She didn't know if she should cry or shout. She wasn't expecting that from THE Draco Malfoy. It was not him. That freaky guy who threatened her was not him…
Things will get more exciting from here. Thanks for the warm reviews: NewSecretRose, KaranaBelle, and sunnysweetie.
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