Things I Don't Understand

Hermione was completely exhausted by the time she got back to her dorm. Every single one of her teachers had assigned homework, with the exception of Snape: he called his homework an 'extra credit' assignment, and had only given it to the two Heads. Snape wanted them to determine what exactly it was in the potion that had caused Hermione to disappear. He wanted to know what had caused the POP! too. What kind of assignment was that, anyway?

At dinner Hermione's badge began buzzing, and then Professor McGonagall's voice came through. "Professor Dumbledore would like the Heads to report to his office after dinner." She told them the password, then the buzzing noise drowned her voice out.

Sighing, Hermione got up and left the Great Hall. She arrived at the headmaster's office to find Draco and Dumbledore already waiting inside.

"Good evening, Miss Granger," Dumbledore said. "Let's get started." Hermione took a seat. "Well," the wizard said, "I've got an exciting announcement. This year you two will be organizing a Halloween dance. You are free to do whatever you want with the planning. I dare say it will be the first we've had in quite a while, so try to do your best on this project. I would suggest starting right away. If you need any help, do not hesitate to ask the heads of your houses." Dumbledore paused. "That's about it, I suppose," he finally said, "so you may go."

The two Heads rose and walked to the exit, Draco in the lead.

"Goodbye, Professor," Hermione said before she shut the door behind her. She inwardly groaned as soon as they were out of Dumbledore's earshot.

"I'm completely bogged down with work," Hermione complained.

"Me too," Draco said, "and we've got to start today."

"I guess this is what being a Head really is. Oh well. Maybe if we work efficiently enough we can be finished by tonight."

They made their way back to the dorm and entered.

"Of course, this is exciting," Hermione exclaimed. "I've always wanted to plan a dance." They sat down. "So, what should be our theme?"

"Classic Halloween."

"What?"

"Classic Halloween. I'm tired of themes. Maybe we should go with something we know works."

"Hmmm." Hermione looked at him thoughtfully. "I guess…that's not a bad idea."

"Ok. And the band?"

Hermione opened her mouth to speak, then decided against it.

"What?' Draco asked.

"Oh, nothing…I was going to make a joke about the Smashing Pumpkins…"

"Yeah, they're not that great of a band, are they?"

"You know the Smashing Pumpkins?" Hermione asked. "But that's a Muggle band!"

"Yes, I know. Yet another reason why they shouldn't perform for the dance."

"Wow…" she trailed off, now seriously regarding Draco as he spoke.

"The decorations and the food," he said.

"Hmmm…I don't know how we're going to do that."

"Well, the house elves are here for a reason."

"What do you mean, they're 'here for a reason'?"

"Have you ever considered that they enjoy working? They don't consider their service to be servitude."

Hermione simply stared at him.

"We can ask them, nicely, to decorate for us. And we can specify on the food too. If you want," he added.

"Well, ok…"

"So, are we about done?"

"Yeah, all we've got to do is post notices."

"Great. Didn't think we'd finish that quickly."

"Well, ok…" Hermione rose to go to her room. "I guess I'm off to—"

"Hermione, wait, can we talk?" Draco asked.

"Well, alright…" She took a seat on the couch.

"About the shagging…"

Hermione opened her mouth to tell him off once and for all.

"I'm sorry," he continued.

She shut her mouth.

"I mean, if you really don't want to, then…I guess I won't bother you anymore."

"Really?" She eyed him warily.

"Yes, it obviously makes you uncomfortable."

"It doesn't make me uncomfortable per se…"

"Of course it does."

"No, it doesn't."

"Come on, Hermione. Even the mention of the idea turns you red."

"Well, maybe that's because I feel threatened."

"Yes I know, and that's why I mean to stop." He paused. "But I hold to you being an enticing creature."

For some reason, she couldn't break the gaze between them. Thankfully he did it for her by standing up.

"Well?" he said.

"Well what? Oh yes, apology accepted." She couldn't help add as she rose, "I didn't think you had it in you."

"I'm not who you think I am, Hermione."

"I think I'll be the judge of that. Good night," she said as she made her way up the staircase.

"Of course, the offer still stands," she could hear Draco say just before she closed her portrait door.

Once again, they were discussing the subject of house elves.

"I don't care what you say; no creature wants to be owned by another."

"It's not a matter of wanting to be owned by someone. They just are."

"Oh really? Then why was Dobby so happy to earn his freedom?"

"Because he was being mistreated. The majority of house elves, especially the ones in Hogwarts, are well taken care of."

"Well, that's all they know."

"And they're happy with it. Who doesn't want to be taken care of? Have you thought about where they would be if they didn't have wizards to serve? The magical world isn't exactly a welcoming place to them."

"That still doesn't change the fact that no one should have to be forced into something and be unable to change the circumstances."

"I agree with you, Hermione. Believe me, I do."

Something in his tone made Hermione look up. His eyes had changed from their usual grey to a burning silver, and he seemed to be completely lost to his thoughts.

"What do you mean?"

"It's nothing really…just my mum…though I suppose she's got no other choice but to stay with my father."

Hermione's eyes settled on his, astonished that he was talking about something even remotely personal.

Draco continued. "It's not like she can run off; she'd have no way to take care of herself…He treats her horridly, won't let her do anything he knows is even slightly enjoyable."

"Draco, I didn't know…"

He looked up and scoffed. "And he thinks he's going to control me too; but I will never follow in his footsteps."

Hermione made a noise but said nothing. Draco turned to face her.

"You mean you don't want to?" she asked.

"I told you, Hermione, I'm not the Draco everyone thinks I am."

"You're not?" she said skeptically. "And what Draco would that be?"

"Hmm." He met her gaze. "Let's just say that everything you think you know about me is false."

"Whoa. That's quite a bit of information to denounce, don't you think?"

She was now eyeing him with a more than interested expression. Maybe now she would figure out what was the truth behind this strange behavior that had commenced at their meeting in the Heads' compartment. Perhaps it had to do with this different Draco he claimed to be.

"I never said you had to believe me. In fact, maybe it's better that you don't," he said, now wishing he hadn't revealed so much. "Then I won't have to worry about this information leaking out."

Hermione laughed. "Surely, if what you say is true, it would be better than your current situation if it did leak? Then maybe so many people wouldn't despise you because they think you're a beastly person."

"Well, aren't you one for directness?" Draco said, feeling the beginnings of anger rise in his chest. "So everyone hates me, do they? I guess now I don't have to bother finding out what people really think."

"Oh, gods, I'm sorry," she said, realizing how harsh her comment had been. "I didn't mean that; it's just that you haven't exactly always been my favorite person—"

"And you're surrounded by friends who hate me too. So why would you think otherwise?" Then, more to himself than her: "I don't know why I expected you to."

Hermione glared at him for a moment. "I don't know what you think you're pulling, Draco. There's no way that you're this different person you claim to be. No one can just hide himself away like that."

"Don't talk about things you don't know, Granger." Draco was on his feet now, and looking down at her with an expression at once a mixture of hurt and contempt. "For someone who's supposed to one of the brightest witches ever, you sure talk a lot about things you obviously don't understand."

"Ok, Draco, give it up." Hermione was now on her feet and returning his same intense glare. "What's the game this time? Is this just another one of your plans to embarrass and hurt me? And do you really think I'm going to buy it? Honestly," she said, crossing her arms at the chest, "next you'll be saying that you don't think Muggles are beneath you."

"I don't," he said flatly.

Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah?" She stared silently at him for a second. "Wow. You amaze me, Malfoy. Your lies are the most ludicrous I've ever heard. Ever." Hermione turned on her heel and began to walk to her staircase.

"I bet I know the Muggle world just as well as you do."

Hermione stopped in her tracks and turned around. A harsh laughed escaped her lips as if he'd just told an exceptionally funny joke. "Prove it."

"Ask me anything you want, then. I know about it all. I know about telephones. And mailboxes. And the internet."

Hermione was unfazed by this exclamation. "Ok. What's a tampon, then?"

Draco wrinkled his nose in disgust. "I unfortunately know about that too. When they're having their…times…females stick them—"

"Ok, Draco, that's fine." She now regarded him incredulously. "How did you know that?"

"Like I said, I know a lot."

"Well maybe you do…" she said as she stared at him.

Draco was still angry, however, and wouldn't meet her eye. He turned away and began walking to his own staircase.

"Wait!" Hermione said and he stopped. "Why don't you want people to know all this? If you're really not a Muggle-hating bastard, why would you want to hide that?"

Draco turned around to face her. "And be the cause of my own death? My father would have me dead as soon as possible if he knew I sided with Muggles."

"Oh."

"Oh, she says. Of course." Draco shook his head at Hermione's surprised expression.

"Well you're not the only one with parent problems," she said as she walked back to the couch.

A bitter grin slipped onto his face. Draco wanted to tell her that it was more than just a 'parent problem', but he refrained. "Yeah?" he asked and sat back down too.

"My parents," she said, "don't even want me here."

"Then why are you here?"

"Because I want to be. But they don't want me to stay in the magical world after Hogwarts."

"You mean you're just going to leave?" Draco asked, dismayed. "Well, you can't do that."

Hermione gave him a questioning look.

"You're one of the brightest witches ever. It would be a shame if we all lost you."

"Well, I have no intentions of leaving."

"Good, then. Take my example and don't ever do what your parents tell you to." He smiled.

"Will do, Draco Malfoy."

This chapter's title was inspired by a song off Coldplay's latest album…