IMPRESSIONS chapter nineteen
Disclaimer: Don't own anything, except for stuff you don't recognize.
Summary: An emotionally, physically, and mentally wounded Draco needs someone to help him, whether he wants to admit it or not, after his father lands in Azkaban, his mother is committed to St. Mungo's, and his entire world crumbles. Romance/Angst.
Author's Note: Please review!
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"Might I ask what you two were doing?" inquired Dumbledore mildly, his fingers folded on top of his desk. He surveyed Draco and Hermione through half-moon spectacles that were perched on his long, crooked nose. His eyes twinkled at them.
Draco remained stonily silent, his arms folded over his chest as he leaned back in the chair provided to him. Hermione looked much guiltier than he did. "Professor Dumbledore, we were studying," said Hermione lamely. "We lost track of time."
"Indeed. If memory serves me, Miss Granger, you and Mr. Malfoy were not the best of friends… If you have moved past your differences, that is a good sign for my hopes of Inter-House unity."
Draco smirked. "Mr. Malfoy? Something to add?" asked Dumbledore lightly, observing the pale boy curiously.
"No, thank you," said Draco coolly.
"We've just been working together… Seeing as Professor McGonagall told us we're in line for Head Boy and Girl," said Hermione quickly. "We thought it best to see if we could handle each other's"—she paused, searching for the word.
"Presence?" Draco offered, his face unreadable.
"Yes, exactly," said Hermione, her face flushed.
"Well, I see nothing wrong with that," said Dumbledore, clapping his hands together. "Mr. Filch, these students are cleared of all accusation," he said merrily to the lurking caretaker.
The man's growl of anger could be heard across the room. "Then I'll be getting back to my office," he wheezed.
"Excellent," said Dumbledore happily. "Now… if you two would just stay a moment," he said, indicating Hermione and Draco before they got up to leave.
Hermione looked confused, Draco kept his face blank. "Professor?" Hermione asked timidly.
"I was wondering, Mr. Malfoy," began the Headmaster gently. "If you had anything you wished to tell me. Anything at all."
Draco was silent for a moment. "No." he said finally.
Dumbledore sighed. "Very well, then. Thank you, Mr. Malfoy. Remember, I am always free to talk if you wish."
"Thank you," said Draco curtly. "May I leave?"
"Yes, of course. And you two… try to remember the time when you are together," said Dumbledore.
Hermione flushed and followed Draco out of the office. "Why didn't you tell him?" she hissed as soon as they left the spiral staircase and the stone gargoyle.
"Are you mad?" asked Draco in disbelief. "I can't tell anyone. Even you shouldn't know."
"But Draco, it's Dumbledore," Hermione protested. "If you had to tell anyone, it should have been him!"
"He can't help me. And we're doing fine, right?" said Draco, shrugging. "Look, I should probably sleep in the Slytherin Dormitory tonight. And remember, don't tell anyone I'm an Animagus."
"Of course. But—will you teach me?" asked Hermione eagerly.
He groaned. "Fine."
Hermione beamed. "Thank you!"
He rolled his eyes. "Right. Good night," he said, turning and striding down the hallway, his robes sweeping out behind him.
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"Look, Hermione," said Ron once Hermione sat down at the Gryffindor table the following morning. Hermione had dark shadows under her eyes and she was pale.
"What?" she snapped, buttering a piece of toast.
"We're sorry, we think that we overreacted a little. I mean, it would have been different if you had willingly kissed—Malfoy—and we know that he was just taking advantage of you. So, we'd really like to be friends again," said Ron, with the air of one who had rehearsed a speech.
Hermione beamed. "Really, Ron? Harry?"
Harry smiled as well. "Yeah. We're sorry we overreacted."
Although she was surprised at the change of heart, Hermione was grateful. "Thanks, guys. I've felt really horrible the last few days."
They nodded vigorously, and Ron, his ears red, leaned over. "Look, Hermione, this next weekend is a Hogsmeade weekend again. I was wondering… If maybe we could go together?"
Harry, though Hermione couldn't see, was grinning and giving Ron the thumbs-up.
Hermione smiled. "Sure, that sounds fun. Just the three of us!"
Harry coughed. "I can't go. Training the chasers," he said apologetically.
"Oh, well, that's too bad," said Hermione.
"We can still go, though," said Ron.
"Of course, it'll be fun," said Hermione cheerfully.
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"I have to leave early today," said Hermione that Saturday in the Room of Requirement while translating the book of runes with Draco.
He glanced up. "Why?"
"I'm going to Hogsmeade with Ron," said Hermione brightly. "The three of us made up two days ago. Harry would've come, but he had to do something for Quidditch."
"You made up?" Draco couldn't keep the disgust out of his voice. "After they'd been complete pricks?"
"Well, they told me how they overreacted, and stuff, and so I guess I was just relieved," said Hermione happily.
"You don't think…" Draco chose his words carefully. "That maybe they just aren't getting as good grades with you guys fighting?"
"What does that mean?" asked Hermione coolly.
"Well, you help Potter and Weasley with their homework, right?" said Draco. "It only makes sense that they decided they'd better get back in your good graces after their grades started falling," he said logically.
"I don't do their homework! And Ron and Harry aren't shallow like that," said Hermione indignantly.
"And you're going to the village with Weasley?" said Draco, raising his eyebrows. "And Potter backed out?"
"Yes," said Hermione. "Why is that a big deal?" she questioned, almost daring him to argue with her.
"Sounds like a date, that's all. Explains why Ron was so angry when he saw us kissing," said Draco nonchalantly.
"It isn't a date!" said Hermione, surprised. "Ron doesn't like me that way."
"Do you want him to?" asked Draco, smirking.
"Of course not, we're just friends! I had a tiny crush on him a few years ago, that's all," said Hermione hotly.
"Then why are you going on a date with him?"
"It isn't a date, Draco," said Hermione in an exceedingly annoyed tone.
"If you say so," Draco leered. "Well, go on, then," he said coolly.
"I will," said Hermione, turning and walking out of the room with her chin held high.
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"Hi, Hermione," said Ron nervously. "Shall we go, then?"
"Hi, Ron," said Hermione, now very suspicious of Ron's intentions after Draco's opinion had been given to her. "Let's go."
Ron didn't say anything the entire walk down, and Hermione stared at her feet, not noticing a large black cat that was slinking behind them, low to the ground…
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"Let's go to the Three Broomsticks, why don't we?" Hermione suggested after many half-hearted attempts at conversation.
"Yeah, let's!" said Ron, almost too eagerly. Hermione shot him a curious look that caused his cheeks to go pink.
Once they arrived at the Three Broomsticks, Ron said, blushing furiously, "I'll pay for your drink, Hermione."
Hermione looked up at him in surprise. "I'm fine, Ron. My parents gave me plenty of pocket money for the year."
"No, it's okay, really… I'll just go up and get them. You want a butterbeer?" asked Ron, unable to rid himself of his bright red ears.
Bemused, Hermione nodded to the gangly redhead. He turned and moved past the throngs of students in the pub. She settled back in her chair, waiting for him to return.
"So, on a date, Weasley?" drawled a voice that made Ron jump as he waited in line.
Ron turned to see Draco Malfoy leaning against the counter, smiling smugly. "Sod off, Malfoy," he said tightly.
"So you are, then?" said Malfoy delightedly. "With whom?"
"I said, sod off," repeated Ron as the line inched forward.
Draco peered over Ron's shoulder and spotted Hermione. "So, came here with Granger to see if you could work up the balls to tell her you've been in love with her for… what, the past five years?"
Ron went very red. "Sod off," he muttered again.
"It's a free country," said Draco, smirking. "So, told her yet? From what it looks like, she thinks this is some friendly little get-together… She wouldn't dream of thinking of you that way, Weasley," said Draco, continuing on mercilessly.
"Shut your mouth," Ron mumbled.
"No, I don't think I will. Did you honestly believe that she liked you back? That she would see past the pitiable house and even more pitiable wealth, or lack thereof, of your family? The disgrace to wizards?"
Ron began to shake with anger. "Shut your mouth before I slit your bloody throat, Malfoy," he said in barely controlled rage.
"Tsk, tsk… Temper, Weasley," said Draco, grinning. "Don't want to upset your little girlfriend. Might ruin the mood for snogging, you know… But then again, I don't expect that she'll be too thrilled about your style, after having me give her first experience."
Ron, unable to control himself, swung a punch at Malfoy, who ducked it easily. "You need to get a grasp on that temper, Weasel," he taunted relentlessly. "Well… I suppose I'll leave you to it… Don't want to ruin the date," he said, his pale gray eyes glinting with endless amusement.
Ron stood, trembling with fury, as Malfoy turned and sauntered out of the pub, immensely pleased with himself. A few minutes later, he returned to the table, his face pale and his hands trembling.
"A long line?" said Hermione sympathetically.
"You might say that," said Ron in a strangled voice. "Cheers."
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Author's Note: This may well be one of my most favorite chapters to write… I love writing Draco be nasty. J Wow, 180 reviews… You guys have no idea how much that means to me. I appreciate it so much. Anyway, I'm going to TRY to have something happen next chapter, but I'm not quite sure the story's ready for it. J Anyway, thanks for reading, all of you…
Ar-Zimraphel