The Contract

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter in anyway, shape, or form (though I wish I did because J. K. Rowling has to be one of the richest people in the world by now).

Special Thanks to: Everyone! I really enjoyed reading your review(s)

Chapter 16

Hermione watched as Oliver left the library without another word to her. She didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She'd accomplished what she'd set out to do with the contract, which was keep boys away, but she'd just kept the wrong boy away. She didn't know how she'd explain this to Oliver, but she knew that getting him to listen would be just as difficult as driving him away. She almost did laugh at that one. Driving him hadn't been that hard at all. All she needed was Malfoy and a breakthrough for Oliver to walk in on.

Hermione shook herself of her thoughts and turned to Malfoy to see that he hadn't moved from his spot. He looked up at Hermione and she could see his pain.

"I'm sorry," he apologized. Hermione blinked for a moment. She was still trying to adjust to this new Malfoy. "I didn't mean to cause trouble between you two. I know now that we can't be together like that." He seemed so genuine that Hermione smiled.

"It's not your fault," she told him. "Malfoy, I want you to concentrate on yourself for a while. Don't worry about me and Oliver. It'll work out." She didn't know why she was reassuring Malfoy. He didn't even like Oliver. It was more like she needed to reassure herself.

"Hermione," Malfoy said suddenly as he stood. He walked over to her. "Don't talk to me any differently than you have in the past when we're in public. I can't be seen being polite to you." Hermione's face fell. She really thought she'd gotten through to Malfoy.

Malfoy noticed Hermione's expression and sighed. "It's not that I don't want to talk to you, but if my father suspects what I'm doing, he'll kill you, Hermione. I don't want you hurt."

"I can take care of myself," Hermione said.

"No," Draco objected with an impatient shake of his head. "I can take care of myself. As far as he knows, I value nothing. But Hermione, you have friends and family that you care about. I can't put you in that sort of danger, so until I can figure this out. I have to stay away from you." Hermione said nothing, but Malfoy got the picture. He walked over to her and gave her an awkward hug.

"Thank you," Hermione choked when she could respond. "For thinking about them." Malfoy smiled.

"I'm doing this for you." With that, he turned and left the library without looking back.


"You know," Fred said as he watched Malfoy leave. "As many times as I've called him a wanker, he's actually alright. You know, sticking up for Hermione like that." Ron nodded distractedly.

"Yeah, but is he that afraid of his dad?" They were silent as they thought.

"No," Harry replied suddenly as all eyes turned to him. "He's afraid of Voldemort's followers. You heard what he said. Those people follow that…thing's every whim. If Voldemort believed he was losing a faithful and powerful follower to Hermione, then he'd destroy everything she valued before destroying her."

"So he just basically committed his ultimate sacrifice," Ron whispered in awe. "He's leaving Hermione alone to save her, instead of using her to save himself."


Oliver stalked out of the library. He was absolutely seething. She chose Malfoy? His memory wasn't fully back, but he remembered enough about Malfoy to know that he was not who Hermione should be with. Oliver shook his head as though to clear it of the thoughts it held.

It just wasn't right. She liked him, he knew it. She wouldn't have kissed him like that if she didn't like him. He sighed as he headed towards the Quidditch pitch. He couldn't take this.

It hurt. It actually hurt to know that he'd really fallen for a girl that wanted no part of him. He laughed bitterly to himself as he remembered the many girls he'd turned away. His mother, although proud of him, had always warned him against leading girls on. She'd warned him that he'd end up being one of those girls one day. She'd said he'd fall for someone who didn't want you.

Oliver entered the locker room and headed straight for the showers. He needed to cool down. He just couldn't understand her decision. She knew how he felt. He knew that she liked him too. Why would she choose Malfoy?


Fred and George exited the library as quietly as they could after Malfoy. Hermione had gone back to her book. Without warning she'd began to cry softly. Harry and Ron's face had crumpled as though their hearts were broken to hear her sobs of heartache. Without warning, both boys had left their safe hiding spot and walked over to Hermione. The both of them pulled her into a comforting three-way hug and allowed her to vent her pain.

Fred and George had just watched. Ultimately, they were amazed by the sense of affection Harry and Ron showed for Hermione. She was important to them. Just as they were important to her.

"George," Fred had said before they left.

"Yeah?"

"I don't think we need to worry about Hermione. Looks like Harry and Ron will take good care of her."