Authors Note: I have one exam left and plenty of time on my hands. Expect updates galore as I try and finish this before Saturday – the likeliness of this is very slim! Thanks to all those who reviewed.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of this!

Inclination

Chapter Five

How long is a piece of string? It is the shortest and longest measurement ever known to mankind and the answer will never be known. Some will tell you it's as long as the ball, others say that it is infinite. The answer though will always be an uncertainty like life itself. Can anyone be certain of anything? Phantom thoughts roam the mind…

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Hermione gazed out of the window and closed her eyes in frustration. Sometimes the most subtle of noises could be the most aggravating and if Draco didn't stop that infernal tapping she was going to make sure he would never use his hand ever again. Then again, she'd rather make sure that he never even breathed again – that would defiantly stop him from annoying her as much as he had been the past week.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

You'd think that on Christmas Eve of all nights, he would stop being an arrogant pig just for one second; she mused as she opened her eyes and stared out the window again. All week he had been playing upon her insecurities and his little habits were beginning to drive her mad. This might be the dream job, but he was far from the dream co-worker she had been hoping for. In fact the longer she spent at the school, the more she found herself getting angry and wanting to hit him. Hit him very hard. Hit him very hard with preferably a sledgehammer. At least then she wouldn't have to listen to the older girls coo about him while she was accidentally eavesdropping in the library.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

The first annoying thing he had started to do was watch her. She'd be sat in the main hall eating and suddenly she would feel his eyes burning into her. Instead of turning to face him and glare, all she could find herself do was blush. It was embarrassing beyond belief not being able to look him in the face and tell him what she thought. Every time she even got close to doing so she got a mental image of him smiling at her in that predatory way. That smile had got her into trouble before and there was no way she was going to let it get her again. It was different now anyway…

Tap. Tap. Tap.

She had Oliver and he was enough of a pull to stop her from even contemplating looking at Draco in that light again. Yes, she assured herself, she loved Oliver very much. The man sat next to her now was merely a mistake from the past. At that she felt a slight twinge in the pit of her stomach. Ok, so maybe it was mind blowing and one of the best things she'd ever done, but it was still a mistake. Draco was out of bounds from now on.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

The next irritating thing he'd begun to do though was to be up at all hours. It must be obvious to him that she'd be able to hear him. Who wouldn't with the amount of noise he made? It would have been ok if he'd simply been moving things around, but it wasn't just that. He was sliding things across the floor at ungodly noises. He was swearing and throwing things at walls when anyone normal would have gone to bed. He was making…suggestive noises at three in the morning. It had been the final straw for her though. Promptly her wand had come out and she had cast a muffling spell over her own quarters.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Now there was this infernal tapping. He always seemed to be tapping or humming under his breath. She didn't even think he was doing it to get her. It was one of those natural habits that people get over time when they're concentrating. Still though, it was annoying as hell and she wished to just reach over and snap his wand in half. Confrontation would mean looking and talking to him though. At the same time! That defiantly wasn't a good idea. Last time they'd done that it had been the first day and she had almost cried at his actions. The banter seemed so familiar, yet different in so many ways.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Draco Malfoy wasn't exactly what you'd call an open book.

Tap. Tap. Tap

There were other things that were annoying her too. There was the way he did his hair. Somehow he'd made it so it was slicked back from his face and tied in a neat little ponytail. She hated that. It would have looked so much better if only he'd wear it loose and down. And then there was the way he rocked back on his chairs. One of these days he was going to misjudge and crack his head open. She hated the way he smelt too. It was sort of musky…but not at the same time. Then there was the way he dressed. It wasn't at all his style. It was obviously his attempt at becoming the actual Severus Snape.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

She hated the way his voice was smooth and deep, with no hiccups or stutters.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

She hated the way he'd brush past her without even apologising.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

She hated the way he obviously eyed up some of the older girls.

Tap.

The tapping was broken off by Hermione's hand slapping down on his wand, trapping on the top of the table and her skin. Pointedly, she turned her head a fraction and smiled sweetly. 'Please could you desist from that…tapping?'

'And if I don't want to Granger?' he said in a silky soft tone. 'I'd like to see you try and stop me.'

'You know perfectly well that I could take you out any time I wanted to.' Taking a deep breath she paused and took her hand away from his wand. 'Isn't it better to be safe then sorry anyway? So don't push me because I would gladly give the students an example of defence against the dark arts right now.'

Looking back out the window, she knew he was smiling that infuriating smile of his. It was almost enough to get her to turn back round and give him a piece of mind. She wasn't going to let him know how much she really hated him though. That would be stooping down to his level and that was not what she would do.

'Well, Hermione,' he said in a soft whisper close to her ear, 'we both know you don't play dirty and we both know you would never take that big a risk. For you, once is enough and I think we've already crossed that bridge.'

Her fists balled up at her sides. How dare he say that the one risk she ever took was by getting with him! At least that was what it sounded like he was implying and at such close proximity, she could only guess that it was.

'Though I do believe there's a muggle saying about burnt bridges…' he pushed her hair away from her face. 'Our bridge doesn't have to be burnt, if you don't want it to be.'

His lips were slowly getting closer to her ear and she could feel herself shivering with untold delight. This was wrong. This was the last thing in the world she wanted to happen. All she had to do was open her mouth and tell him that she would rather become Voldemort's bride then ever go near him ever again. All it would take were just a few words to put him off.

Frankly it was a good job they were alone in the staff room. Everyone was supposed to be here about ten minutes ago and she had a sinking feeling that they were the only two people who were invited. After all, it was Christmas Eve and the festivities were being set up in the hall. She'd longed to be there helping them charm each piece of furniture and every candle stick. It was supposedly one of the better chores of being a Hogwarts Professor. Instead though she'd had a note from Dumbledore informing her that there was a meeting in the staff room at lunchtime. She had come five minutes early not wanting to be late. Draco had breezed in just after and sat next to her.

Her eyes closed as she felt his lips brush against the skin beneath her ear. Merlin, this was wrong. It's not you that's doing anything though, she reminded herself. It's him making the advances and you don't have to feel guilty about one little peck on the neck.

This time his lips stayed in contact for a couple of seconds longer. 'Hermione,' he whispered against her skin, making all the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.

Suddenly she remembered why it was so wrong and pulled away from him. Quickly she stood up and walked to the other side of the table before sitting down again. It would be easier saying what she was going to say if at a distance from him. This way her temper wouldn't roll into some other passion.

'Look Malfoy that was a long time ago and as I recall you were the one that ended it!' she said unsteadily as she crossed her arms across her chest. 'It's your loss that this never went any further. You're just trying to get at me so I'll run away from my job or…or…crawl back into bed with you. Just because I told you I loved you four years ago, does not mean I still love you now. In fact what I feel for you is far from love! I hate you! I really do!'

Slowly her voice had become more confident and with it louder. She hadn't realised that she was shouting angrily until she heard a small cough from her left and had glanced over to be confronted with the sight of Dumbledore. Her cheeks flamed red with embarrassment.

'Well…now we're clear on how you feel for Professor Malfoy, I think we can begin the meeting,' Dumbledore said with a broad smile and a twinkle in his eye.

Slowly her head sunk down to meet the table and she covered her face with her hands. This was one of the worst moments of her life! Dumbledore now knew things that no one else knew! What if he went and mentioned to Oliver that she'd been yelling at Draco about not wanting to go to bed with him…again? How would she explain that to him? She couldn't exactly see him being happy if she told him the truth. Four years ago she had fallen madly in love with Draco Malfoy and since then he'd always been at the back of her thoughts.

'I must apologise for Professor Granger here. I fear I may have provoked her somewhat. I think she would be glad if you never mentioned this ever again,' Draco said with a tone of amusement.

'Young people today! You'd think love were the worst thing in the world the way some of you act…The matter shall never be mentioned again though. I had no intention of anyway. I like to believe in privacy.' Dumbledore was saying it in the utmost seriousness, but somehow Hermione couldn't help but think he was teasing somewhat. 'Anyway, we have business to attend to.'

Dumbledore sat down at the head of the table and smiled at the two Professors. 'I'm sure you are both aware that tomorrow is Christmas day and we will be having somewhat of a celebration. For some time now we have had a Ball planned. Severus and I felt it would be an escape from the war for the students. Unfortunately, he is not with us to complete these plans so I will be enlisting your help.'

'What exactly is it you want us to do?' Draco chimed in, with his usual bored manner.

'I need a couple of teachers to make sure that everything runs smoothly tomorrow night.' He paused for a second. 'With all the threats, we need as many staff as possible on duty, which means there will be few teachers to watch over the students whilst they dance.'

Hermione looked up and smiled slightly. 'So you wish us to attend the Ball and make sure no student gets into a fight, or becomes drunk?'

'Exactly Hermione.'

'Seems a simple enough task for one teacher, let alone two,' Draco's voice cut in again. 'Perhaps seeing as Granger is so eager to take part, I will not be needed.'

'No Draco. Your assistance will be vital. I realise you have a lot on your plate right now and I understand that you are having help about it. Normally I would excuse you from duties, but this time I think we should all be present.'

A frown creased her forehead slightly. What exactly did Dumbledore mean by that? As far as she knew Draco had very little on his plate. All he seemed to do was sweep around the school and irritate the hell out of her. There was another week until lessons actually began again. It didn't even seem like the man slept!

'I have been meaning to ask,' Dumbledore continued, 'did the potion Poppy gave you work at all?'

'I think you already know the answer to that Professor.'

'Hmm. You could at least lie to me Draco. The comfort it would have brought me would be reassuring.'

'Sorry sir, but it didn't work as well as might have been hoped.'

'No. I'm sorry. Very sorry that you are being subjected to such things.' Dumbledore shook his head wearily and looked away. 'I have a letter for you in my office if you'd like to come and collect it after this meeting.'

Draco nodded slightly, without a sign of the fear or pain that was showing in Dumbledore's face. Hermione frowned and looked between the two in confusion. Something was defiantly happening.

'Oh, sorry my dear, I quite forgot you were here!' Dumbledore laughed gently. 'Draco has been suffering awful headaches and nightmare, don't you know?'

'No…he hadn't mentioned them to me.' Her eyes instantly went to Draco, who had taken her stance at gazing out the window.

'Oh well. That was all I had to ask. I'll leave you too your…banter.' With that he rose, bowed slightly and left the room in one swift movement.

Silence seemed to echo through the stuffy room. It was as if the air had been sucked out from it and had been replaced by pure anticipation. Hermione rubbed her fingertips together and let her gaze flicker back to Draco for a second.

Ever since she was a young girl she had been in a constant state of curiosity. She had lots of questions and it had seemed very few answers. Tugging at her mothers dress she would often ask why the sky was blue, why the grass was green and why she was a little girl and not a little boy. Her mother had smiled slightly and scooped her up into her arms. Pressing a tender kiss to her daughters' hair she would say that Hermione had all the time in the world to learn the answers for herself. Since then she had done so at every opportunity. From helping Harry to learning her studies, she found herself sucked into worlds of knowledge. People had mocked her then but all she had to do was think of how much she knew and a smile would curl her lips.

Now she was being presented with another mystery. Why was Draco having headaches that couldn't be cured by medicine? What was the supposed load he had to deal with? Was this letter anything to concern her? Who exactly was the man sat in front of her?

'You never mentioned headaches,' she said briskly.

'As I yet again recall, you never asked. In fact Professor Granger, I do believe you are ignoring your old school chum.' His voice was snide and full of something she couldn't put her finger on. 'Never mind though. I shall diminish and you can go back to your perfect life.'

It seemed almost as if in slow motion as Hermione Granger, Hogwarts professor and sleuth watched Draco Malfoy, Snape's assistant and old flame, leave the room with a banging door. Her heart skipped a beat and she flushed.

It was all coming back to her now.

…and you want to scream. It seems as if the whole world is against you. You are completely alone in a world of blurry thoughts and mad passions. Flesh itches to scrape back the edges of reality and drift motionlessly through time forever. Infinity is held in the palm of your hand, taunting you with its delicious dance. So many questions in a world of few answers. Is the truth out there?

Authors Note 2: Not very much but I am building up something. Please review and tell me what you think of the story so far.