The Agreement
Chapter 6
Almost two weeks had sped by quickly. It was now Wednesday; one day before Pansy's potion would be completed and until the Ministry board would be arriving at the school.
Hermione and Malfoy had not talked to each other of the agreement since Harry's broom had been stolen. Hermione still believed that Malfoy had taken it, and would not speak a word to him.
He was becoming steadily more desperate. Malfoy needed to convince Hermione soon. "Granger." He said when he came into the common room after curfew. "Isn't it past your bedtime?"
"Couldn't you just walk up to your room and stop irritating me?" She huffed, not taking her eyes from the pages of the thick book.
"Today's the 29th." Malfoy replied after taking a deep breath. He focused on not losing control and cursing her.
"I'm well aware of that. Goodnight Malfoy." Hermione got up to leave the room.
"That means the Ministry's going to be here tomorrow." His silver eyes bored into hers.
She easily stared right back at him without looking away. "Listen, Malfoy. Go find some other girl to cling to you for a few days because I'm not doing it."
Malfoy held his breath and let it out slowly. "It was official. The contract, did you forget? Break it and I'll do something bad to you and your friends."
"I'm so scared. This is coming from someone that's scared of his own friends."
"I'm not—" Malfoy clenched his fists and came closer to her. "That's not the point."
"Then don't threaten me." Hermione spat. "If you want something from someone, you need to at least treat them with respect. Because with me Malfoy, you won't get what you want with that attitude." She had come close to him so that they were only a few feet away from each other.
"I thought you were one for rules Granger. This contract," He pulled a piece of paper from his picket, "it's a rule too."
"If I do this, then I don't want you to do any more servitude. You can help me tutor Dan when I ask for it instead."
"Who?"
"Quartet. The one I tutor every week."
"You mean your Hufflepuff boyfriend? I'd rather befriend Potter and Weasel."
"I assure you, that that can be arranged because he's not my boyfriend." Hermione seethed.
"I don't see why I would have to help you. You're said to be the smartest witch in the school."
"Do you see? That's exactly what I mean. You can't help anyone but yourself."
Malfoy ran his thumb and forefinger up and down the edge of the contract angrily. "For how long would I have to do this if I said yes?"
"For as long as I say."
He sat down in an armchair and carefully considered the pros and cons. He came to a decision and then changed his mind six times. Finally, he decided that he did indeed need the Muggleborn's help. "Alright then."
She sat where she had been seated before. "How many more are you capable of?" She murmured while she fingered through the book to find the page she'd last read.
"How many more what?" Malfoy asked, confused.
"Civil conversations."
"Very few," He smirked at her and added, "Mudblood."
She ignored him and continued to read her book. She spoke again ten minutes later. Dan's going to be tomorrow night after the feast. You better be here." She waited for him to say something. "I'm going to bed."
"Good." He replied. Malfoy studied another piece of paper that he held in his hands.
Fine a suitable student in the seventh year. He crossed that out.
Offer something in return. Yes, even if you are a Malfoy. Slavery.
Lay out rules. You're a Malfoy. You make them.
Make sure to get Potty and Weasel mad. Just for the fun of it.
Don't. Get. Caught.
He crossed out slavery and wrote she'll be the death of me beside it. He stared at the next sentence. "Granger!" He called to the head girl upstairs.
"What!" She yelled coming out of her room.
"I'll be making you a list of rules. They'll be on your desk here tomorrow morning. Make sure to read them."
"The ones you mentioned were already unbearable and you're telling me there are more?" He heard her reply. Satisfied, he began to write down each and everything that unexpectedly came to mind.
—
All of the students in the school sat in the Great Hall the next morning and listened to Professor McGonagall's important announcement.
"As you know, today is the arrival date of the Ministry's school board. I expect all of you to treat our visitors with respect. Anyone that does not obey the rules will be punished. I would appreciate all of the students outside of the school at six o'clock sharp. This will be just like three years ago when the other school champions came to Hogwarts." She cleared her throat and paused before continuing.
"For those of you that are younger, you will receive instruction in your first class this morning. There will also be a welcoming feast following the arrival. If anyone has any questions, I request that they see Professor Dumbledore or myself as soon as possible. Remember, the staff members here at Hogwarts expect good behavior. From all of you."
Professor McGonagall sat and took a deep breath before returning to her breakfast. There was an excited buzz around the hall now. Ginny was giggling with Lavender about Blaise again. Ron had just given her a menacing look and told her to lay off whenever she brought up the subject, but didn't say anything else other than that.
"This is exciting." Neville said to Hermione, making polite conversation.
"I guess..." Hermione bit her lip in anticipation. Tonight would be her first night posing as Malfoy's girlfriend. He had left a small stack of parchment with over one hundred well descriptive rules and they left her nervous.
"Cheer up, Hermione. It'll be over before you know it." Ginny assured her. Harry nodded and patted her arm awkwardly.
"Yeah, Hermione. What's the worst that could happen?" Harry and Ron of course did not know about the agreement, and they thought Hermione was worried about making a good impression as head girl.
Ron sent Hermione a bland look and his look alone said it all. Anything.
—
Draco Malfoy sat on the other side of the Great Hall daintily eating his food. He was nervous; more so than Hermione would ever be. What if his plan didn't work? What is this with doubting himself these days? He needed to stop that.
So there Malfoy sat at the Slytherin table in between Crabbe and Goyle. Unfortunately, there was not room for Malfoy to even put his arms in his lap. He looked like a puny stick figure compared to the overweight blobs on either side of him.
"Move over." Malfoy finally was able to wipe his mouth with the napkin that had sat on his lap.
Crabbe glared at him sullenly as he sucked on the peels of his apple. Malfoy had reduced his cronies' unhealthy diet for a healthy one. He insisted he couldn't have his men walking around in his presence in such an obese manner.
"Let us have something more to eat, Draco. We're still hungry." Goyle complained. He watched Malfoy eat the pancakes, eggs, and fried potatoes on his plate with jealously.
Malfoy slammed down his fork which he had just picked up. "No. I've told you time and time again. You'll kill yourselves before you could even join the Dark Lord's ranks. Now shut up and let me enjoy my meal." Goyle searched for something to say, but nothing came from his thick pink lips.
"Oh, don't be a pushover Malfoy." Pansy Parkinson said as she sat down across from the platinum blonde.
"Don't get into my business, Pansy or I'll put you on a diet. Merlin knows you need to go on one yourself." He snapped back.
Pansy's mouth opened and closed a few times. "Did you just call me fat?" Her face twisted into a sneer.
Malfoy ignored Pansy and her numerous threats throughout the rest breakfast. Once they had reached the Potions classroom, he'd had enough. "Just close your mouth. You were asking for it." He spat airily.
"So you were joking?" Pansy asked hopefully.
Malfoy shrugged carelessly and sat down on the Slytherin side of the classroom. A Few minutes later, Blaise took a seat next to him. "Draco, why do you always have to be so mean to her?"
"She's annoying and I wanted her to close her mouth."
"It didn't shut her up though." Blaise replied with a smug smirk. Snape walked hastily into the room—something uncharacteristic for him to do.
"You'll be taking notes today. Get out a quill and start copying the ingredients on the board. They'll self-scroll." Snape hurried into his office behind the classroom and locked it.
"Oy, free period!" Ron was saying excitedly to Hermione and Harry. Hermione did not reply due to the fact that she was already copying the notes. Harry and Ron exchanged a high five before sighing and following Hermione's lead.
Malfoy shook his head, disgusted.
Pansy and her mates pulled a bench to one desk and grouped around it. "It'll only be a few hours now!" Monet cheered quietly.
Pansy beamed. "We'll put the potion in their drinks tomorrow morning."
"Either way, I can't wait. I won't be able to sleep a wink tonight." Tabitha clapped her hands.
Just then, Snape slid swiftly back in the room, this time in a more snakelike manner that suited him quite well. "Did I not say to copy the notes on the board? Get to work! Malfoy, I want to see you outside immediately.
Malfoy looked up in surprise. No first name? Was he in trouble already? He regained his posture and set a smirk on his pointed face. He caught Hermione's happy face and wondered what her problem was. She'd been nervous and upset only half an hour ago.
Malfoy moved outside the classroom, followed by the potion's master. "Draco..." Snape drawled, shutting the door. Malfoy's smirk widened. He wasn't really in trouble after all. "It has come to my attention that you cut detention two weeks ago. I of course was busy with matter of my mind and didn't notice. Did it slip your mind by any chance?"
Malfoy looked uneasily into Professor Snape's cold black eyes. "D-detention? I forgot."
"Apparently you did. You will serve it tonight."
"But, sir! My mum's coming tonight with the board. I can't have a detention tonight."
"A week from today, Draco. At eight o'clock. If you're not there, I'll come find you myself." Snape swept back into the classroom and pulled Malfoy along with him. "Sit down."
Malfoy sent Granger a look. He knew why she had been so happy. Granger had told on him. He would get her back tonight. He marked his words and sat down and copied the notes on the blackboard. By then he'd already missed a lot, so he copied down Blaise's.
"I heard Granger tell Snape on you." Blaise told Malfoy carefully.
"It was obvious the way she was looking at me like that."
"What'd Snape say?"
"I still have my detention next week." grumbled Malfoy.
"Well, it's only one detention. The worst Snape's ever made you do is sit there grading papers."
Malfoy shrugged. "I could make better use of my time. Maybe I can get out of it."
"How?"
"I agreed to help Granger tutor the little prick."
"I didn't know you wiked kids." Blaise patted his friend's arm and spoke with a faux-lisp.
"I don't."
"Yes you do. Malfoy has taken a wiking to wittle kiddies." Blaise smirked.
"Quiet, Blaise."
His friend shrugged and returned to copying notes. The rest of the period went by too slowly for any of the students to bear. By the end of class, Hermione was the only one still copying off the board. Snape had been gone for most of the period doing who knows what. No one had the guts to ask.
The bell rang and the students left the classroom in a rush. Hermione stayed behind to pack up her many books. Pansy had kicked her bag and they'd fallen out. "Shouldn't you be running off to class to make sure you get a seat in the front?" Malfoy walked over to Hermione's desk and gave it a kick before leaving the room.
Hermione shook her head and followed behind him.
—
She walked down to Hagrid's hut alone. She had not been able to find Harry and Ron after her previous class. She spotted a messy black haired head next to a red head and walked up behind them. "Where have you guys been? I was waiting for you in the Entrance Hall forever."
Both boys whipped around to face the frizzy haired Hermione. "We decided to head down when we didn't see you. Sorry Hermione." Harry apologized.
Hermione shrugged and peered over there shoulders. "This is the last day for unicorns."
Hagrid's Care of Magical Creatures class had become successful over the last two weeks. The seventh years were soon going to finish their unit on unicorns and then move onto kneazles. Not even Malfoy could find something to complain about.
Of course there were still the many snide and sarcastic comments that left the Slytherin's mouth but no one expected that to change. "Just look at it." Malfoy was saying as he stood behind the girls with the other males in the class. "They're not even that nice looking. The only thing worth money is the horn. Father's got a head mounted on his wall in his study back at the Manor." He bragged.
"His father only has it because Voldemort finished drinking its blood and he had no other use for it." Harry muttered to Ron a little louder than he meant.
"Is that so Potter?" Malfoy turned to look at Harry slowly. "Are you calling my father a death eater? My mother happened to buy it for him last year for Christmas. By the way, found that broom of yours yet?" Malfoy face was lacking a taunting smirk.
"We've been through this before Malfoy. I know your dad's a death eater. He's just another one of Voldemort's servants." Harry spat.
"Don't you talk about his father that way again! He wasn't even talking to you."
Blaise gave Harry a tormenting shove. His father was also a death eater and he took offense.
"Who was he talking to then, Blaise?" Goyle asked, grinning maliciously.
"No dinner for you Goyle!" Malfoy stated calmly.
"Aw, Draco there's a feast tonight!"
Ron took this time as a chance to push Malfoy. "And don't you let your little friends push him!" Ron pushed Malfoy again into Crabbe's side.
Malfoy stood up straight. "Weasel! Don't touch me. It's just like you to go around Muggle dueling. You and the Mudblood are getting close, huh? What else has she taught you?"
"Ignore him Ron. He's always going around looking for someone to fight with." Seamus clamped Ron on the shoulder.
"Excuse me, Finnigan? I'll have you know it was Potter—"
"Boys! Break it up, righ' now!" Hagrid finally took noticed that Ron and Malfoy had engaged in a push and shove fight. He thumped over to where the two boys were fighting and pulled them apart. Hagrid looked at both of them before saying, "I've just about had it with the way you two have been fightin' all the time. Interruptin' my lessons! Do yeh want detentions? I'll make the both of yeh clean out those pens durin' the feast tonight if yeh want."
Harry and Ron shook their heads. "Sorry Hagrid." Ron mumbled ashamedly.
"Will you get off me? These are the robes I'm wearing to the feast tonight!" Malfoy sniffed arrogantly and brushed off his robes as he was put back down on the ground.
"Malfoy, I want yeh to stay away from Ron, yeh hear?"
Malfoy rolled his eyes and sneered, "Whatever." He walked back to where Blaise was standing and glared up at Hagrid. The half giant nodded gruffly before going back to where the girls were standing.
"Now you have to change." Blaise said loudly to Malfoy.
"Why's that?"
"You smell like an animal." Blaise's lips curled.
Harry, Ron, and the rest of the Gryffindor boys got a kick out of the mortified face Malfoy made.
Ron stepped forward. "And it's unfortunate, but no. Harry has yet to find his broom. Thanks for asking Malfoy."
—
The Golden Trio walked together up to the school after class. "I think you were both being childish. Like Malfoy said, he wasn't even talking to you." Hermione told them after they had mentioned the spat with Malfoy.
"So now you're on his side!" Ron cried with disbelief. Hermione hit him lightly on the arm.
"No, of course I'm not! I just think the whole thing was silly. Hagrid was going to give you both a detention." Hermione said in a voice that was full of mock horror.
"Hagrid would never give me a detention. Maybe Malfoy, but not me." Ron's slightly raised his voice.
"Hmm." Hermione rolled her eyes at Harry who smiled. They walked into the school and up to the Gryffindor common room together where they took their favorite seats in front of the hearth.
"Big feast coming up." Ron announced excitedly, breaking the silence. He rubbed his hands together and licked his lips. "Aren't you both earnest for it?" He asked when neither of his friends said anything.
Hermione pursed her lips. "I'm getting mental images of you eating. It's disturbing."
"I'm only enjoying my food!" Ron defended himself.
"You missed the part when your mother taught manners..." Harry teased.
"Manners on what?" Ginny came into the common room and shrugged her bag off her shoulder. She sat down next to Harry on the floor.
"On how to eat like a gentleman." Harry answered.
"Oh, Ron might have been sick the time Fred and George got in trouble for starting a food fight..." Ginny looked up at her older brother through her lashes. "I'm surprised you didn't learn anything."
"I've never started a food fight in my life!" Ron replied.
"Oh, I know. But mum sent off the two of them to a neighbor's to borrow books on etiquette.
"This has nothing to do with me, Ginny!" Ron shut her up.
"I was only saying..."
"Want to play a game of chess, Harry?" Ron asked, ignoring Ginny.
"Well, I've got to go get ready. I'll meet you guys here later. We can walk down together." Hermione had watched Ron beat Harry six times, and she was on the way to falling asleep from boredom.
Ginny stood up too. "I'll come with you." She said gaily.
"That's fine. Bye Harry, see you Ron." Hermione waved. The girls walked out of the common room and left the boys to their seventh game, Ron of course was in the lead.
"So what are you wearing to the feast?" Ginny questioned as she bounced along Hermione's side.
Hermione looked at her like she was crazy. "My school robes. It's not like it's a ball or something."
Ginny returned the look. "You're head girl! You'll have to meet with them anyway you know. Don't you want to impress them?" She had hit Hermione and she knew it. When it came to impressing, she went as far as she could.
"You're right. But I don't know what I have to wear."
"We can look in your closet." Ginny suggested as they walked into the common room together.
"I doubt there's anything in there." It was not Hermione that said it, but Malfoy. The girls jumped in fright and turned around. They had not noticed him sitting at a desk doing homework while Blaise read a book in an armchair. "Look how plain she dresses."
"Shut your mouth." Ginny took her wand out. "Remember the bats, Malfoy?" The Slytherin's mouth opened and closed. "I thought so."
"Hi Ginny." Blaise looked up sharply from his book.
"Hello." Ginny whispered back.
Malfoy and Hermione's eyes widened at the same time. "What's this?" They said in unison. They glared at each other and looked away.
"Since when are we on a first name basis with a Weasley?" Malfoy asked, annoyed.
"When did this happen?" Hermione asked at the same time.
"...While your nose was stuck in some reeking old book." Malfoy snorted at his own joke. Hermione sent Malfoy her most exasperating expression without saying anything.
"Since when do you make the decisions for the both of us?" Blaise questioned with a freezing glare. Malfoy opened his mouth then closed it and settled for a thin, straight line.
"Well, excuse me. I'm not in the mood for another one of your soap operas." Hermione rolled her eyes and went up the stairs, ignoring the questioning looks she was receiving from the other three.
Malfoy followed. On the last step, he pushed her over and locked himself in her room. She banged on the door. "Let me in! Get out Malfoy!"
Malfoy tiptoed to the closet and quietly swung open the door. He removed the broom and looked around, wondering where to put it.
He bit his tongue in concentration and his eyes set on the window next to Hermione's bed. He flung it up and looked down. Just like his bedroom windows, there was sill underneath the window. He reached down and set the Firebolt on top of the wilting flowers. Then he shut the window without a sound and unlocked the door to Hermione's room.
"Wrong room!" She heaved the door open and pointed for Malfoy to get out.
He held up his hands and before walking out said, "Wear something nice tonight, Granger. And don't smell like a stinking book either. My mother is hard to impress." He walked calmly back downstairs and found Ginny and Blaise in the same spot he'd left them in.
"So, has the Weasel given you both his blessing?" Malfoy smirked.
"We're just friends, Malfoy." Ginny growled. She brushed past him, and ran upstairs into Hermione's room.
"Why do you have to be jealous?" Blaise asked, staring intently at his friend.
"Of what?" The blonde egotist took his seat at the desk he'd been sitting at earlier.
"Of Ginny and I."
"What's there to be jealous of? You're both just fooling around with yourselves. You actually think the Weasel's going to let her date you?" Malfoy laughed a hearty laugh. "Actually, the parents will probably get the Order together to kill your family. Wouldn't that be fun to see?"
Blaise threw the book he had been reading at Malfoy's head, and with perfect aim, it hit him in the forehead.
"I was only joking!"
"I don't want to talk about it anymore."
"Okay, fine but when she puts that hex on you, don't come crying to me."
"Why would I? You weren't even able to get rid of it yourself."
Malfoy purposely ignored him and started scribbling rapidly across a piece paper.
—
"You're right, Hermione. You don't have anything that nice to wear."
Hermione sighed. "I'll just wear a school robe then."
"Alright. Let me brush your hair now." Ginny had quite a lot of trouble completing this task. When she was finished, Hermione's hair was, if possible, bushier than before. "I'll just put it up." Ginny tied Hermione's hair with a ribbon. "Now, you're all set. Can I just put some makeup on for a finishing touch?"
"No!" Hermione jumped up and covered her face. "It's not a problem. I think I look fine. Thanks Ginny. Hermione changed out of her school robes and put on another above her school uniform.
"Can I put on this perfume then?" Before Hermione could answer, the redhead had sprayed Hermione in an expensive Muggle perfume that she had found in Hermione's bureau.
"Ugh." Hermione groaned. Perfume made her sneeze when it was just sprayed.
"It smells okay." Ginny shrugged and threw the bottle on Hermione's bed.
"We've got fifteen minutes. Just enough time to make sure the boys are both ready." Hermione figured, look at her watch.
"See you down there, I guess." Hermione said to Malfoy before leaving.
He continued writing whatever it was he was writing. "I hope those rules of mine are well memorized, Granger."
The portrait door slammed shut behind her. "Bye Blaise." Ginny squeaked, and she ran out after Hermione.
"Wait up!" Ginny called after her friend.
Hermione stopped long enough for Ginny to catch up. "Blaise is so sweet." Ginny giggled like a silly little girl and fell in step with Hermione.
"Gee, Hermione, what's that awful smell?" Ron asked when she and Ginny approached Ron and Harry.
Hermione shook her head slowly back and forth and answered in the same slow rhythm of her head, "Ginny found some perfume."
"It doesn't smell that bad." Harry grinned sheepishly at Hermione.
"Thanks Harry." Hermione stuck her tongue out at Ron. "Now let's go. I want to be early."
The four of them walked down to the entrance hall talking animatedly. Hermione could not stop babbling for she was nervous times a billion. Harry and Ron noticed her nervousness and stopped her.
"Calm down, Hermione." Ron patted her back awkwardly. "The board won't be able to not like the head girl."
Hermione smiled at him thankfully, which was a good sign. They meandered, one after the other down the stairs into the hall where some of the younger students were still milling around.
"Miss. Granger, come here please!" Professor McGonagall was among the students, looking extremely flustered. Hermione bid her friends goodbye and then approached the beckoning teacher.
"Yes?" She put on her best good girl face and shifted her weight from one foot to the other.
Professor McGonagall put a hand on her hips and stopped glancing around the hall as if she was looking for someone. "Where is Malfoy?" She stressed the where heavily.
Hermione shrugged. "He was in the common room last time I was aware...why?"
"He's supposed to be here, helping you and I get the first years line up! Good heavens, only an hour to go until scheduled arrival!" McGonagall started to walk away. "Johnson, what did I say? Get away from the doors! Mr. Filch just finished polishing them, and I don't need to see finger prints at the moment! Billson, that means you too!
"Well, what am I supposed to do?" Hermione called helplessly after her.
"I don't care! Find him!"
Hermione swung around and stomped forward, only to run straight into Daniel Quartet. "Dan! Hi. Got to run, see you later." Hermione made to get past the first year but he grabbed her arm.
"What?" Hermione smiled in a friendly manner.
Daniel realized he was still holding onto her arm and let go quickly. "N-nothing. See you later." He shoved his hands into his pockets and walked away, blushing.
"Right then. Malfoy, where's Malfoy." She grinded her teeth as she headed toward the stairs. "I'm going to kill him."
She swept her eyes across the entrance hall and saw Draco and some other Slytherins come from down in the dungeons. "How did he get there so fast? Oh, I despise him." Hermione marched toward him and peered wearily up at him.
"Well, if it isn't Hermione Granger? You've seemingly attempted at the hair..." Theodore Nott teased on Malfoy's right.
"You got rid of the book smell! Well done." Malfoy clapped his hands and spoke in a scandalizing tone.
"Poke fun later, Malfoy, we have to get the students lined up. McGonagall's a poor mess."
"Isn't this a job for Potter? Play hero and get the school lined up in time. Sounds like a job for him, not me." Malfoy started to lead his Slytherin gang away, but Granger stepped in his path.
"It's going to be a job for you if you still want me to do mine." She jabbed a finger into his chest and stood up full height. "Got it?"
Malfoy laughed, and looked at the shorter girl. "Got it. You go round up the little brats—I know your boyfriend's one of them—and I'll wait by the door."
"Ha. Your pals can go wait in the Great Hall. We're calling down the students in order." She had noticed that Nott and the other four were easing their way outside.
"Down to where?" Malfoy shook off his friends and walked with Hermione.
"Here." Hermione still marched off and clapped her hands. "All Gryffindor first years, line up in back of me! Now, I want the Hufflepuffs after them, and then Ravenclaws and Slytherins. You're next." She stood patiently, tapping her foot. When all of the first years in the school had lined up she turned around and said, "Follow me!"
"I'm not about to follow any mudblood." A blonde Slytherin boy in the back of the line announced. Hermione did a double take. He looked extraordinarily like Malfoy back when he was eleven.
"That's fine," Hermione smiled, "You can just stay in the Great Hall and set the tables." The Slytherin did not complain again. When Hermione turned around, she caught Malfoy giving his housemate a proud smirk
She ignored him and filed outside with the children behind her. Once outside, Malfoy set them up in one line, but in an order Hermione had made before. He stayed outside while Hermione went back into the school to retrieve the second years that were now waiting to be taken outside. Twice Professor McGonagall thanked Hermione. She was obviously still annoyed at Malfoy and didn't say a word to him.
The entire school including the staff was outside. All was noisy from the excited students talking. The echo around the school was easily heard. Filch was holding Mrs. Norris off to the side, glaring at the ground. How he hated these school gatherings.
Hermione and Malfoy stood near to the front with Professor Dumbledore and McGonagall. They kept up a stomp on the other's foot game which earned them a hard look from the deputy headmistress. Malfoy was trying to get the Muggle born to hold his hands which she would not agree to.
"Your mum's not even here yet." Hermione whispered angrily when he kicked her shoe yet again.
"Don't be so sure." Malfoy muttered, grabbing her arm.
Professor McGonagall turned around. "Shut your mouths, the both of you! They're here."
Hermione's head shot up and she saw two carriages coming towards the school on the path. There were several exclamations of "Look, look!" coming from the younger students. The older ones shushed them in ample time.
The thestrals pulling the carriages remained invisible to most of the students, but people such as Harry saw them. Six people stepped out of each of the carriage and made their way toward a smiling Dumbledore. The last person to come out of the first carriage was identified as Narcissa Malfoy. Hermione remembered her from the Quidditch World Cup.
"That's her." Malfoy breathed. Hermione snorted in an unladylike fashion. She was still the ugly upturned nosed pig she remembered. He was being too out of character for her liking. She wrenched her arm away from the mother's boy in hatred. "Don't touch me."
He grabbed her hand again and held on tightly with a bright smile frozen on his face. The blonde woman made her way forth with the rest of the group. She smiled brightly at her son, who returned it with a more dazzling one. She noticed he was holding the hand of a girl so she turned to look at the owner of the hand. She looked Hermione up and down before returning her attention to Dumbledore.
Malfoy looked down at Hermione and rolled his eyes. Her face was bright red with uneasiness. "Welcome to Hogwarts. I hope your stay here is pleasant. The house elves that employ here have cooked us a wonderful feast. As soon as you're in the school, our head girl, Hermione and head boy Draco Malfoy will direct you to where you'll be staying. Wash up and get yourself situated and make your way down to the Great Hall for a pleasant welcoming meal." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled happily. "If you have any problems while here at Hogwarts, I assure you that the deputy headmistress and I will be more than happy to help." The board committee nodded with contempt. A balding man held up a check board and wrote down a few words. "Now, the school's going to sing the Hogwarts Anthem."
Dumbledore turned around and faced the waves of the student body. He held up his hands and they opened their mouths, ready to sing. Malfoy dropped Hermione's hand and sang as well. At the end of the song, the seventh years began to move back into the school, followed by the rest of their schoolmates.
Dumbledore gestured ahead to let the school board pass them. Malfoy's mother gripped her son's arm gently when she swept past. She smiled slightly when she caught Hermione's eye. Malfoy sent the Gryffindor a stiff, reassuring nod.
It took a bit of time just getting into the school, for there were only two doors, and the students were shoving their way through to get to the Great Hall. Malfoy had yet again grabbed her hand. She snatched it back and eyed the committee with dislike.
"What's the matter, Granger? I'm just warming up. " His warm breath tickled her ear, and she shuddered away. He led her up to the school behind all of the other students where they found their guests waiting for Malfoy and Hermione to show them to their rooms.
—
Hermione leaned against the stone wall with tiredness. So far, she was doing quite well. Narcissa Malfoy had not exactly warmed up to her yet, but within given time, she was sure she would fall for her charms. Maybe she'd have a conversation with Malfoy's mother about school and what she thought about the curriculum at Hogwarts. Narcissa was on the school board after all.
Malfoy appeared from behind the portrait opposite her. He was slightly pink with embarrassment. From the time they had met the committee in the great hall to the time that the heads spent showing them to their dormitory, Narcissa had fawned over her only son.
"Mummy's boy." Hermione tittered gaily.
Malfoy folded his arms across his chest and growled, "You're just jealous."
Hermione laughed and straightened up her figure. "Have I mentioned that—"
"Don't insult my mother, Mudblood. I've got loads to say about your parents."
Hermione rubbed her forehead. "I was just going to say that your nose is still slightly larger than it used to be."
Malfoy gave her a skeptical glare and opened his mouth to say something but his mother beat him to it. He rubbed the bridge of his node and shut his mouth. She slammed the portrait door closed behind her and rolled her eyes. "Oh, that stupid fat women. I've told her time and time again. I called the bed nearest the window! Wait until your father hears."
Hermione choked back laughter. Now she knew where Malfoy got his arrogant attitude. Narcissa took Hermione's cough as a gasp. She smiled coldly at her. "Yes, I know. Just look at my pale skin. I have not colored since..." Her voice trailed off. Malfoy looked sharply at his mother. They shared a telepath like exchange that seemed to warn the other. They glanced at Hermione in alarm.
The Gryffindor narrowed her eyes. Narcissa beckoned her closer. "So Hermione, tell me more about yourself. Draco hasn't really given any dirty details." Malfoy slid behind his mother and held up the contract which Hermione guessed he kept at hand—or in his pockets—at all times. Hermione gazed into Narcissa's cold eyes and noticed a greater resemblance between her and her son. Her eyes were like pools of melted ice, but they swirled with the blue-green of the sea. Her face was pointed, and Hermione noticed a cleft in her chin that her son did not have.
"So have you snogged yet?" Narcissa giggled then straightened herself up again. Behind his mother's back, Malfoy pretended to regurgitate. Hermione herself giggled nervously, an act to hide the dislike written across her face. Malfoy had straightened up and he was nodding.
Hermione too, nodded. She smiled and clasped her hands behind her back. Mrs. Malfoy returned the smile, but it did not nearly do the job of reaching her eyes. Turning around she said, "Draco, be a doll and get those fools immediately. I hate to keep that Muggle loving pansy waiting." Hermione contained a protest about Narcissa criticizing Dumbledore. This was harder than she'd thought it would be.
Narcissa turned back around and faced Hermione again. "You're nothing like Pansy Parkinson. She's not beautiful but she's prettier than you. You should wear some makeup... and do something with that hair. Now, what is that horrible smell? Some cheap perfume, I assume?" Narcissa bluntly spoke to Hermione in an airy tone. Hermione doubted she'd ever been more insulted in her life in one standing. Unlike Malfoy's slightly disturbing taunting, she could definitely compare the feeling of the tingling in her nose now to the twisting of her face when Malfoy was being an uneven git.
Hermione turned somewhat red. She slowly put her thoughts into words. "I happen to be allergic to makeup, but thank you for your concern Mrs. Malfoy." She tried to blink away the tears that had gathered in her eyes.
"That's too bad." She replied, in a not so caring voice. "As you must well know, my son is handsome, highly intelligent, and kind." Hermione listened to Narcissa drone on about her stupid son. When Hermione got her hands on him later... she would kill him.
The portrait door opened slowly and out walked Malfoy and the eleven other committee members. Malfoy crept unwillingly over to Hermione and stood by her side. He waited until the board was in front of them before he set out walking. He grabbed her arm and pulled her along.
"It's just how I remember it thirty-five years ago." An overweight witch said from the group. There were murmurs of agreement.
"Let go, Malfoy." Hermione tried to make her voice sound low and defensive. Instead it cracked and came out high and whiney.
Gladly, he dropped her arm and continued to walk with her. "What'd she say?"
"What do you mean?"
"Don't play foolish with me Granger. You're crying in front of me. What did she say? Plus she always puts down my girlfriends when I'm out of ear shot when she's first meeting them." He repeated.
"Nothing you haven't said before." Hermione whipped away the tears from her eyes and sighed. "I wish I never agreed to this." She whispered.
Somehow, Malfoy felt it was his fault. He loved to see the girl in a caught up moment. He felt destined to make fun of her for being a wimp but he knew his mother had said something harsh if it made her cry, so he left her alone.
They went their separate ways once in they reached the Great Hall. The staff had set extra chairs at their staff table so the committee would dine with them. Hermione took a seat in between Harry and Ginny.
"So?" Ginny turned to her as soon as her head hit the table tiredly. Up front, Dumbledore was giving another speech. Hermione tuned him out, something she hardly ever did and focused on the wood of the table.
"I don't..." Seeing Ginny's eager face, Hermione decided to just tell her what Narcissa had said to her.
"She said that to your face?" Ginny whispered loudly. "How horrible!"
"I'm not going to worry about it. She'll be gone in a week and then I won't have to sustain from killing Malfoy any longer." Hermione's sadness had changed to anger. She clenched and unclenched her fists.
"Ouch, violent tendencies." Ron guffawed.
"Look, Hermione, the feast has begun. Just enjoy it, okay?" Hermione looked up and in fact, there was food in bowls, and on plates strewn all across the table neatly. Ginny patted Hermione's shoulder before heaping a spoonful of mashed potatoes onto her plate.
Hermione gladly took this as an excuse to stop talking. She picked up her fork and shoved picked at the fluffy mashed potatoes before eating it. "This is good stuff." She said, finishing her third helping of meatloaf.
"You bet it is." Ron agreed before he shoved yet another spoonful of rice pudding into his mouth. Harry was eating all he could, quickly too. It looked as if he was trying to win a race.
"Slow down Harry. You'll choke on your food." Ginny warned with a wary glance.
"Stop acting like mum." Ron rolled his eyes and whipped his mouth with the back of his hand.
"Someone has to." Ginny stressed.
"Uh huh." Ron said without any effort of a fight.
—
Pansy and her crew easily escaped the feast without getting caught. Even Filch was enjoying his meal. Or he was just drowned within his ego. Dumbledore had made sure that the caretaker was given a seat at the staff table, and from the looks of it, Filch was happy. He had not stopped smirking since the moment he had began shoving food into his mouth with surprisingly good manners.
"Where are we going Pansy?" Monet asked out of pure curiosity.
"What are you, stupid? You silly girl, do you want to drown in that potion?" Gwen slapped the back of Monet's head. "We've got to take the cauldron off."
"Merlin, you're both morons." Pansy sighed in mock defeat.
The potion was indeed ready when the girls arrived at their dormitory, and it seemed like it had been for a few hours due to the fact that it was boiling uncontrollably. Pansy snapped her fingers and Tabitha turned off the fire while Monet retrieved a flask from her trunk.
"Wait for it to cool before you touch it." Mallory warned in a singsong voice. Monet had just reached toward the cauldron with the hot liquid. She pulled back at Mallory's wariness and handed the glass bottle to Pansy.
"So how is this going to work?" Monet asked Pansy.
"What? Am I supposed to know?"
"Well—"
"I have an idea. It'll probably work. We'll ask Draco to give it to her!" Gwen clapped her hands in delight.
"No, he is not getting involved." Pansy stated firmly.
"Really, Gwendolyn. You should know by not that every plan that Draco has put against Potter and his friends has been foiled." Mallory, the sensible one, sat down on her bed and rolled over so that she was on her stomach.
"Sort of like Potter and the Dark Lord." Monet replied.
"Don't you insult dare him! He could be listening..." Pansy shushed the girls and they all took a frightening look around the room, as if to see Lord Voldemort sitting in the air watching them with his wand at the ready to kill.
"But no, I call all the plans." Pansy said with dignity. "Like I mentioned earlier; we're going to wake up tomorrow morning and pour the potion into a pitcher of coffee and then she will drink it! I'm so smart—"
"Oh, don't get carried away now." Tabitha, the only one who thought she was better than Pansy spoke out.
"What? What's that supposed to mean?" Pansy placed her hands on her hips. "So, anyway, we'll just put it in the pitcher. It's all sought out, not too difficult."
"But Pansy, what if Hermione does not drink coffee tomorrow morning?" Mallory motioned for Pansy to put some of the potion into the flask she still held. "It's room temperature."
As Pansy spooned the silver substance into the glass she answered with hope and bossiness in her voice. "Then get set on Plan B."
"What's that?" Tabitha asked.
"I have no idea."
Author's Note: The long awaited chapter 6. How long did I take, God? I should be ashamed. Yeah... so... No one won the date with Malfoy, which means poor Steph had to think up this whole thing. Obviously, I had a lot of trouble; A really hard time trying to get the idea from my head to paper to the computer. That explains how shaky the whole chapter is. I tried rewriting the whole thing at least three times. My first attempt was 24 pages long, but then I realized I was rambling and you guys would be asleep before you got to the review button.
Anyways, I'm out of school for the summer, and of course I'm still busy but I'll be able to update a lot sooner. I'll try to get Chap. 7 up by next week. Ha. I'm definitely not making promises. Hey... I just turned seventeen on the fourteenth. Hehe. Super.
Disclaimer: Yeah, Harry Potter's definitely mine. Hee. No, it's not. God, why must I even put myself to sleep with these thingies? Of course you know my name's not Rowling.
Review, pleasies?
