Hidden Pain
Chapter 3: The Unwanted Tutor
After that argument between Draco and Hermione, conversation ceased between the two over the next weeks. The only time they spoke was when Draco needed someone to make fun of or for their Potions projects. He would unleash his anger through his words, throwing the words like a long rope of fire. Patrolling became a mere walk where the two of them walked side by side simply keeping an eye out for intruders or suspicious activities.
Draco was furious at himself. He couldn't believe that he let the comment that the Mudblood shot at him hurt his pride so much. He never knew that was the impression that he gave other people. Sure he was cold, rude, a jerk, and an asshole but he could never kill someone for fun. It hurt to know that people saw him as a miniature version of his father.
Overtime, throughout the weeks Draco had been slowly slipping. His grades in Transfiguration and Charms were slowly falling. His nights were full of memories of his father and self-abuse. He was falling behind; forgetting to turn in and do his homework and attending Quidditch practice. He would often fall asleep in his Charms or Transfiguration classes from lack of sleep causing him to slowly fall behind in his studies. His mood and his apprehension towards his meeting in the spring were slowly breaking him down. He didn't and knew he couldn't tell his father "no." He was falling slowly and painfully. And there was no one to pick up the pieces or help him stand up.
. & .
"All right class, there are 10 minutes left in the class," said Professor Flitwick from the front of the room. "I need the essay on Transfixing spells."
He waved his wand and almost immediately 49 pieces of parchment came flying towards Professor Flitwick and then stopped about an inch or two away allowing him to gather them. The class waited patiently as he counted them and placed them in his drawer.
"Mr. Malfoy, I am missing your essay. Did you forget it in your room?" asked Professor Flitwick sternly.
Draco jerked his head off the table and blearily rubbed his eyes. Groaning internally, he rubbed his head in his hands. He had forgotten that there was an essay due today. Sighing, he nodded no.
"Mr. Malfoy, please meet me after class," said Professor Flitwick staring at Draco not angrily but with concern.
Draco nodded, too tired to care, and too tired to feel anything. He wanted out; he had never felt so helpless as he did now. The bell rang, causing the orderly line of students in the class to form a shapeless mass as they ran to lunch. But Draco stayed behind waiting for everyone to leave so he could speak to Professor Flitwick. Finally, when the room was empty he tiredly trudged up to his desk. The Professor put down his quill and stared at Draco expectantly.
"Mr. Malfoy, this is the 3rd essay that you have not turned in," said Professor Flitwick. "Is there something going on in your life that is preventing you from turning in these essays."
"No sir," said Draco tiredly.
"Ok," said his professor though he looked suspicious. "You have fallen behind over the past month. I am assigning you a tutor who will help you get back on your feet in this class."
"Who is it?" asked Draco warily.
"It is Miss Granger," said Professor Flitwick.
Draco's eyes widened and he clutched the desk as he nearly fell over. "Professor, I really think it would be best if I got the student who's doing the best in this class."
Professor Flitwick lips switched upwards when he heard that. 'I don't think so Mr. Malfoy."
"Why?' said Draco fixing him with a stare.
"Because it's Mr. Potter," said Professor Flitwick trying to keep his laughter hidden as Draco blanched and shook his head.
"Never mind that. But why Granger," said Draco quickly.
"Because it will be very convenient with your schedule. You guys live in the same quarters therefore it will much easier to work together. Incidentally, she is second in this class. Miss Granger and I have suggested that you relearn what you have missed over the last month. I will give you time Mr. Malfoy to catch up. I won't need the essays but I will need approvement from Miss Granger that you have mastered the spell. But you will need to make an effort," said Professor Flitwick staring over Draco over the pile of papers
"No one else knows about this right?" said Draco anxiously.
"No, we have not told your mother or father. However by Christmas if you have not improved then I will have to alert him," said professor McGonaggal.
"NO!" said Draco hotly his eyes full of worry. 'I mean, it won't be necessary Professor. I can handle it myself. He has a lot of work at the Ministry right now."
"Ok Mr. Malfoy. That is all," said Professor Flitwick.
Draco grabbed his bag and left the classroom hating the turn his life had just taken. But he had no choice but to put with it; "just like everything else in my life" he thought bitterly. If his father had found out that Granger was tutoring him, he would be flayed an inch from his life.
Professor Flitwick was musing over his coffee as Draco left. There was something different about that boy this year. He wasn't walking with usual air of confidence and arrogance that he had always possessed. When he mentioned his father, he could see fear present in his eyes. He could remember Lucius when he was at Hogwarts. He had always been obsessed with power and brutal. He had seen the way he treated the weaklings of his own house and it wasn't pretty. He could only hope that he wasn't doing the same thing to Draco. His eyes were sagging and tired; something was preventing him from getting enough sleep. Something was troubling him but he would never tell. No matter what rough times a Malfoy was going through, they would not give a sign of weakness.
. & .
"Hey Hermione," said Ron after swallowing a huge forkful of mashed potatoes.
Hermione daintily swallowed her forkful and looked at Ron expectantly.
"Why did Flitwick talk to you for 10 minutes during the class?" asked Ron curiously.
"Oh, well," stammered Hermione. "Mr. Flitwick wanted me to help him with this project that he has in mind." She knew that Ron would throw a fit if he heard that she was tutoring Malfoy.
"Oh," said Harry curiously after he kissed Ginny, "what's this project?"
"I have to help Malfoy with Charms," muttered Hermione looking very interested in her plate.
"Say that again slowly," said Ron turning around, "It sounded like you have to help Malfoy."
"That's what I said," said Hermione turning to face Ron.
"What! Why?" yelled Ron knocking a pitcher of pumpkin juice over. "Is Flitwick out of his mind? He knows that Malfoy is a jerk to you? And you guys can't stand each other for more than 2 minutes?"
"It'll be ok Ron," said Hermione steadily "Believe me."
"Ok," said Ron slowly though he didn't look too sure. "But if he does anything let me know."
"Oh please Ron," grimaced Ginny from where she was snuggled up to Harry, "Hermione knows how to take care of herself."
Harry, Hermione and Ginny looked at each other and started laughing as Ron started mumbling to himself. It was too funny.
. & .
Tiredly, Draco entered the Heads' room and put his bag next to the door. He had managed to cram in 2 hours of sleep between his Potions class and his homework. He saw Granger sitting at the wooden table next to the window writing an essay. Clapping a hand to his head, he groaned; he had forgotten that he was going to get tutored by her.
Hearing his groan, Hermione looked up. "Um Malfoy, are you ok? I have medicine for headaches," said Hermione timidly.
"No, I do not a headache. The fact that I have to be tutored by you is my headache. Why do you care anyways," snapped Malfoy heading for his room.
"Malfoy, I think that if you're done with tonight's homework, then maybe I could teach you one spell," said Hermione timidly.
Draco paused with his hand on his doorknob and thought for a moment.
"That will be fine," he said shortly. "I have to change. I'll be there in 5 minutes."
Hermione smiled as she carefully out aside her essay, quills, and bottle of ink. She opened her book to the page showing the Transfixing spell. A few minutes later, Draco came out of his room in a loose black long sleeved shirt and green boxers.
"Oh Malfoy," snapped Hermione, "Can't you put pants over that?"
"No I can't," snapped Draco back sitting down on the side next to her. "Can we please start so I can get over with this?"
"Ok," said Hermione. "You're behind 3 spells; Transfixing, Manipulating, and the Accio. They are rather hard spells but you have a month. The thing is that there are going to be spells for class that you will need to memorize and master as well. I asked Professor Flitwick how many other spells before Christmas and he said 3 more. It's the beginning of November right now; you have till the beginning of December. To tell to the truth, I think that you will be able to master each spell within 2 to 3 days."
"Really," said Draco furrowing his eyebrows.
"It took Ron 2 days," said Hermione laughing.
Draco chuckled for the first time in a while. "What spell are you going to teach me first?"
"Well the Transfixing is the hardest," said Hermione seriously. "I think we should do that first. Get the hardest done."
"Fine. Sooner the better," groaned Draco.
"Ok first, the transfixing spell is a spell that is used during battles mostly. You use it to stun or make a person's mind fixed on one particular object. But it is much much more powerful. However, unlike stunning spells, this is a permanent charm. Unless the counter curse is performed upon the victim, he or she will permanently remain in that position. The spell is called traxia. Unlike the stunning spell, you must wave your wand in such a way that it encompasses the victim's entire body. You need to start from the top and work until the bottom. It's a very unpredictable charm; it depends on the person's height. The taller the person, the more force and energy is needed. The shorter the person is, the less force and energy is needed. The counter curse is Detraxia."
"Ok, ok, enough of the background," growled Draco. "Can we get on with the actual spell?"
Hermione simply ignored him. "I think I should perform it on you first so you can see it. I know how to do the counter curse so I won't have to drag you to the infirmary."
Draco snorted. "Well that's good. I wouldn't want to be seen with you in public. But I'm warning you that if you mess up then I make your last year here hell," said Draco viciously standing up.
"Ok, " said Hermione standing in front of him unfazed by his threat. She raised her wand near the top of his head and as she brought it in a swirl, she shouted "Traxia."
Immediately Draco felt himself close up. His eyes became fixed on the necklace around Hermione's neck. It was a single diamond on a silver chain. Whenever Hermione moved, his gaze would follow it. He couldn't feel anything; the only thing in his mind was the diamond. He felt lightheaded and there was nothing to worry about.
"Detraxia," muttered Hermione waving her wand again. Automatically, everything came back to Draco; the lessons, homework, his father.
"Ok, you need to wave your wand like this," instructed Hermione placing her small hand on top of Draco's. Draco wrinkled his nose in disgust but Hermione didn't seem to notice as she brought his hand down from her head down to her feet and then in a straight line across her feet.
"You do the same thing for the counter curse," said Hermione as she positioned herself in front of Draco. "The tighter and faster you move your wand, the more powerful the transfixion. If it's powerful, there should be nothing in the victim's mind but the object. Go ahead."
"On you?" said Draco surprised. "What if I mess up?"
"Well then you can go and find Harry or Ron or someone in our class," snapped Hermione as if it was obvious.
Draco made a mean face at Hermione as he raised his wand. Bringing down the wand and yelling the incantation, Hermione found herself transfixed to Draco's eyes. As she stared into them, she could feel herself drowning. But she sighed; the power wasn't strong enough. Draco did the same movement and she felt the counter curse work.
"Ok Malfoy, that was really good for your first try," said Hermione. "You need to simply move your wand faster. You have the counter curse down. All you have to work on now is the ability to drawn your victim in. To make them think of nothing but the object. I was transfixed but I could remember things like my homework, and the fact why you were hexing me."
"Ok Ms. Perfect," grumbled Draco.
"I'm just trying to help," snapped Hermione. "We've done about 45 minutes today. Tomorrow we'll simply just keep practicing the spell. Luckily, we didn't get Charms homework today."
Hermione sat down and turned back to her essay as Draco stowed his wand in his pocket and walked away.
This was going to be a nightmare.
A/N: Thanks to those who reviewed. I appreciate it. I know it seems weird that Harry of all people is on top but he needed to be on top. Hope you keep on reading.