Title: Close To You
Author: basium
Rating: R... eventually
Disclaimer: I own nothing of JK Rowling's world. Don't sue.
A/N: I made a some edits in the previous chapter... it seems I didn't make a few things as clear as I wanted. So check Chapter 1 if you wanna see the changes.
Close To You - Chapter 2
Hermione had just entered Dumbledore's office. Draco scowled at her, unwilling to salvage any last hope of the situation turning. But the look on Hermione's face was so close to Draco's it was uncanny.
"Listen, I don't like this any more than you do. So I suggest you step out of your Malfoy scowl for two seconds so we can deal with this." Ouch, fierce...
"Excuse me? If you think I am going to work with a Mudblood you have something else coming." Draco hissed.
"So that's it then? Fine. You can be a prat. I don't care. I am getting myself out of this." At her words Dumbledore appeared at her side.
"What was that, Miss Granger?" he asked smiling.
"N-nothing, professor." Hermione replied, blushing slightly. Draco smirked. Oh yeah, get yourself out of this then.
"Hermione, do you understand what is going to happen?" The Headmaster asked.
"Yes, I think so."
"Mr. Malfoy? Do you?"
"I guess." Draco grunted.
"Wonderful." Dumbledore retrieved two goblets off of his desk. Their contents were swirling and silvery-grey in colour.
Don't tell me we have to drink this...
As if reading Draco's mind Dumbledore said, "Yes, you will be drinking this."
The potions were now giving off a purple mist and smelled strangely of day-old pizza.
"Don't worry, it won't hurt you. I believe it tastes rather like a mix between a sherbert lemon and roast beef..." Dumbledore smiled and handed them the goblets.
Draco looked at the swirling potion and then snuck a glance at Hermione. She was looking at her goblet like it was going to bite her. Draco took a deep breath, swished the potion in the goblet, and downed it in one gulp. Dumbledore was right... yuck, sherbert lemon and roast beef...
Suddenly Draco felt a stitch in his side. Literally. He looked down and there were silvery clear strands of thread weaving in and out of his side. Expecting to feel pain, he winced – but it wasn't needed. He shot another glance at Hermione, who was currently looking down at her side with a look of horror on her face. There were now a few feet of the invisible thread between Hermione and Draco.
"Well, I see the potion has taken effect immediately. Those threads will not break – they will simply vanish when you are allowed to separate and re- stitch themselves when you are back together. I suggest you don't stretch the threads, they are rather delicate." Dumbledore clapped his hands together smiling. "The start of term feast is about to begin – I suggest you make your way down to the Great Hall. Oh, and it's up to you which table you wish to sit at."
"But Professor-"Hermione said anxiously, "-How long do we have to stay stitched together?"
"Hmm. I will decide that, depending on your progress. Happy eating!" he replied, getting up and ushering Draco and Hermione to the door. They shuffled along, being careful not to stretch the thread.
"We are sitting at the Slytherin table." Draco said at once. There was no way he would be caught dead at the Gryffindor table.
"Who says? You do not have authority." Hermione replied annoyingly.
"Oh and you do? I am not sitting with the Golden Trio. There is no way in hell."
.: Several Minutes Later :.
"Uh, Malfoy? Why are you sitting with us?" Ron asked with a bemused look on his face.
"I have to, alright?" Draco mumbled quietly.
"Sorry, what was that? I didn't catch what you said." Harry asked, resisting not to laugh.
"I said I have to, alright?!" Draco said loudly, obviously annoyed.
"Calm down Malfoy." Hermione said warningly. Draco kept his head low, trying not to look at the gawking Slytherins.
"Ok, seriously Hermione. Why is Ferret Boy sitting with us?" Ron asked, now slightly angry.
"Like he said, he has to." Hermione said simply, just as Dumbledore took the podium.
"Welcome students. It is yet another glorious year at Hogwarts. I would like to give a warm Hogwarts welcome to all first years. May your years at Hogwarts be fun and educational.
"Now I would like to introduce to you our new Head Boy and Head Girl – Mr. Draco Malfoy and Miss Hermione Granger. Would you stand up please?"
Hermione graciously stood up, smiling. Draco remained seated, but as soon as Hermione was fully standing, he felt himself being pulled up by an invisible force. He hung his head, scowling.
"Nice to see the Heads getting to know each other." Dumbledore said, and continued on with his speech as Draco and Hermione sat down. Why in Merlin's name did this have to happen to me??
Draco ate dinner in utter silence. The Great Hall was full of conversation – most of which was about him. He was incredibly relieved when the feast was over; until he realized he had to go back up to the Head's dormitories with Hermione.
"Malfoy, lets go." She said, immediately receiving looks from both Ron and Harry.
"Erm.. Hermione? Aren't you coming up to the Gryffindor tower?" Ron asked.
"No, I'm a Head, remember? I have my own room, and a common room I share with him." She pointed to the sulking ferret.
"Right. Have fun then," Ron replied, attempting to smile as he left with Harry.
"Malfoy – common!" Hermione said impatiently. Draco got up slowly, his head still hung.
"Oh would you stop that?" an annoyed Hermione said. Draco paid no attention to her.
They reached the Head's common room and Hermione mumbled the password ("Malaclaw") and they stumbled into the room. Draco's first mistake was flopping down on one of the couches.
"Ow!" Hermione exclaimed as she was immediately yanked from the spot she was standing. Losing her balance, she fell on top of Draco. There was an awkward silence, and Draco cleared his throat. Hermione took the hint and proceeded off of him.
"I'd, uh... better go up to my room," she mumbled, looking around. Draco grunted, getting up.
"Erm... Do you have any idea how this is supposed to work?" Hermione asked.
"Don't ask me." Draco snapped. They were currently standing at a fork where the two staircases met.
"Well, I'm going to bed..." Hermione said, moving towards her staircase. At once the threads that bound Hermione and Draco disappeared. Draco felt himself moving up the stairs. He tried to go back down but was unable to. Hermione had already left, so Draco had no choice but to go to bed himself.
A/N- Ok. As I said, I made a few edits... like the whole 'five feet' thing was (like niftylicious said) too random. Also, everyone is wondering why Dumbledore let Draco choose the Head Girl? Well I added a bit in the first chapter to make it a bit more understandable, but basically the previous year (6th) there was conflict, major conflict, between the Heads. So Dumbledore came up with a solution, but that was after he had told Draco that he was Head Boy. I hope that clears it up a bit, if you have any more suggestions/questions then review and include your thoughts!
.basium.