Chapter 7

Passwords, Potter and Proof

After Granger had slammed the door in his face, Draco had stalked off to his room.

As he opened the door to his bedroom the man in the portrait upon the door stirred.

"Ah, Master Malfoy. I've been waiting for you." The man said, straightening his cap, "I'm Jeremiah Kingston."

"Nice to meet you." Draco mumbled, "What is it that you want?"

"I need for you to set a password for your quarters, Master Malfoy. You see, I have a portrait on the bathroom door as well and-"

"Scheming." Draco said, cutting off the wizard in the portrait.

"Pardon me?"

"Scheming, that's my password. Now if you don't mind, I have things to do." Draco said shortly as he entered his room and closed the door behind him.

He threw himself on the hoping that he wouldn't have to hear Jeremiah Kingston's "autobiography" every time he walked out his door.

Draco pushed the 'password ordeal' out of his mind and focused again on his argument with Granger. He had to come up with a way to 'prove it' to Granger. Draco sat, leaning back with his hands behind his head thinking through his options.

That's when it came to him. It was his best shot. He had seen Granger give him the 'once over' and, Draco thought, she'd been quite pleased. But he'd also seen Potter kiss her on the train, were they together? If they were Draco was screwed, the mudblood was as loyal as a lapdog.

Draco had to weigh his options and after some time he decided to go through with it.

He lay on his bed thinking about how much fun this was going to be when another thought came to him: the Dark Lord's mission for Draco. Making Granger mad at him wasn't exactly the best way to use her to get information on His Majesty, Potter; the old crackpot fool, Dumbledore and his Order of the Phoenix (as Draco had taken to calling it).

Oh well, it shouldn't be that hard to get Granger to forgive me after it anyway, Draco thought, it's better to save face.

Hermione sat on her bed thinking about her disagreement with that arrogant jackass Malfoy. It'd be interesting to see how he'd try to prove it, considering he couldn't, or could he?

"I doubt he's given it a second thought anyway." Hermione said out loud.

She rose and opened her bedroom door. Hermione looked at the picture of the woman on her door, she was sleeping. Not wishing to wake her Hermione turned to leave.

"Oh, Miss Granger!"

Hermione turned to face the portrait once more and saw that the woman was now awake. "Miss Granger you really should set your password, especially with people like him-" she threw a glance toward Malfoy's door, "-running 'round about."

"Umm. Alright then. Unicorns?" Hermione suggested.

"Certainly. The same password applies for the door to the bathroom from your chambers." the woman informed her.

"I'm Georgina Key, by the way." said the woman.

"Oh. Well, it's nice to meet you Mrs. Key." Hermione replied.

"Oh no, dear it's Miss Key. But please call me Georgina."

"Okay. Well, it's nice to meet you Georgina."

"You as well, my dear. It's quite late, maybe you should retire." Georgina suggested, with a glance toward the clock.

"I'll do that. Good night."

"Buona notte, my dear."

Hermione re-entered her room, her mind now on Harry and the events of the train. She hadn't thought much of it previously, it was a friendly thing. Harry knew that Ron liked her and he wouldn't try to hurt Ron, or give him less of a chance with Hermione. But Hermione argued with herself, he hasn't exactly been sensitive to people's feelings since the battle. It was horrible for her to think that, but she knew that it was partly true. Harry hadn't been the same since the battle. He'd been struggling in school, having nightmares, and his scar was burning almost constantly now, so really the battle should be blamed, not Harry.

Hermione sank into an uneasy sleep, vowing to get everything sorted out with Harry soon.

Hermione arose early the next day. She dressed quickly in her new robes and attached her Head Girl badge to the front, polishing it carefully. She entered the bathroom and was happy to see that Malfoy was nowhere in site. She performed a quick spell on her hair and applied some make up, the Muggle way. Going back into her room Hermione grabbed her bag and proceeded to Gryffindor tower relatively happy.

Hermione had obtained the password to Gryffindor tower in the Prefects compartment on the train and at this time she gave it to the Fat Lady who smiled sleepily and swung open. She looked around the common room and much to her dismay, it was empty, that's when she realized how early it actually was, she checked her watch: 5:30?!!! Hermione looked around the common room once more and by the fire, she noticed for the fire time, a person sitting in an armchair.

"I thought you'd come. You want to talk to me I suppose." the person said as they stood, revealing their identity. It was Harry, who looked to be wide awake and waiting for Hermione to arrive.

"Now why, Mr. Potter, would I want to talk to you?" she laughed, and then nodded.

Harry smiled and grabbed his books, which he'd left on the opposite armchair and they quietly left the common room.

Once they were down the hall Harry turned to Hermione, "I take it this is about yesterday?"

Hermione nodded again.

"I'm sorry about that, 'Mione. I've been thinking ever since I got my letter about how stupid I was and, I don't know, something in my head told me to kiss you." Hermione gave him a look at the 'in my head' remark, thinking that Harry might be or have been under the Imperius Curse. Harry shook his head, "I know that normally that wouldn't be a good thing but it felt right 'Mione. It felt right."

And with that Harry turned and took off down the corridor leaving Hermione dumbfounded at the top of the staircase.

The rest of the day was relatively uneventful for the trio. Throughout Herbology that morning Hermione hadn't been able to focus, her mind had been on what Harry had said. The words replayed in her brain over and over, It felt right.

Hermione had avoided Harry for the rest of the day, and Ron as well. Though Ron seemed quite preoccupied with his complaining and didn't take notice.

Hermione retreated to her room early during the evening meal to avoid being asked 'what's wrong?' by the fifth person that night. She dropped her books in her room before returning to the fire in the common room she shared with Malfoy. She'd felt trapped by her situation. She liked Harry, just not like that but Hermione wasn't sure if he'd understand. And what would Ron say? After all, it was hard to ignore the fact that Ron had feelings for her, too. "What am I going to do?" Hermione said aloud.

She picked up a pillow that was on the sofa and threw it towards the doorway in frustration. Little did she know that someone was walking through it.

"Hey! What's your problem?" Malfoy asked after being hit on the side of the head by a flying pillow.

"Oh. Sorry." Hermione mumbled, stuffing her face in a pillow.

Oh, beautiful, Granger's upset. Draco looked at this as a perfect time. She was vulnerable.

"Umm....are you alright, Hermione?" Draco asked, letting her name roll off his tongue, savoring it.

"W-What did you call me? What h-h-happened to m-m-m-mudblood?" Hermione asked, looking up at him.

"Well, Hermione is your name, isn't it?"

Hermione just stared at him, unwilling to believe that this was Draco Malfoy, talking to her like a civilized person. The next thing she knew he was sitting next to her, watching her with patient, questioning eyes. Hermione began to feel uncomfortable and stood, intending to go to her room.

Malfoy stood too and quite unexpectedly grabbed Hermione around the waist and pulled her towards him. Draco looked into her eyes for a moment before lowering his lips to hers. He kissed her lightly and then more passionately, and, much to Draco's delight, Hermione kissed him back.

Hermione had been surprised at Draco's actions but she wasn't as repulsed as she thought she would be. Actually, it was quite enjoyable.

Before Hermione knew what was happening Draco had pulled back from her, grasping her by the shoulders he threw her to the ground. There was nothing but disgust, and, strangely triumph in his eyes as he looked at her again. His trademark smirk began to stretch across his lips.

"Like I said, Granger. I can have anything I want."