A/N: Hey guys! Sorry this thing took me so long to update, I've been doing way too much for my time. Anyway-I hated this chapter because it doesn't have a lot of action in it-but I revised it a bit and now I like it much better. And I'm so so sorry about the anonymous reviewer thing, I didn't even know I had that on, thanks I forgot your name haha :)! I should definitely be adding soon and thank you to all of you wonderful reviewers!
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, the places or any of the creative ideas. Only the words are mine.
Encouragement and Planning
It wasn't as if Draco hadn't been thinking about his assignment during the first month of school, he was having trouble thinking about anything but the bloody thing, but his father didn't seem to believe that. At least, that's what the letter seemed to insinuate.
30, September
Son,
We were both thrilled upon notification of your appointment to Head Boy. This position no doubt offers you many more opportunities than you have as a regular student. It is for this reason that we were very displeased at the lack of mail we have been receiving from you. It seems that, given the circumstances, you would have much to inform us about. I am convinced that the lack of mail is just a sign that you have been advancing greatly in all of your endeavors.
I'm sure I will be hearing from you soon.
Lucius Malfoy
Draco had received the letter by owl that morning, and it was already opened. From his best guess, he assumed that all mail coming into the school was being searched. Lucius was tricky like that though. A seemingly pleasant letter to his son was really a threat about what would happen if Draco didn't kill Granger; and soon.
It had been a long month so far; Head duties, the extraordinary amount of homework from all of his classes and Quidditch practice left him with little time to sit. And although he had been thinking about Granger frequently because of his assignment, the two hadn't spoken outside of Head duties since the first day of school. (Of course there were the short spats in the hallways, but those didn't count as talking.) It was as if a silent agreement had been made to stay out of each others' way. If Hermione was in the common room, Draco would go to his room, and vice versa.
Draco was actually a little upset about their lack of communication; he looked forward to Granger's witty retorts. But with this stupid plan to kill her, he knew that it was better to stay away from her. That way when he was questioned as to why he hadn't gone through with it yet, he could easily say that it was due to time constraints. Maybe they would pass off the job to someone else…yes! That's exactly what he would ask! Tell his father that someone else with more time on their hands would be better suited to do the job!
Draco sat down at his desk and quickly scribbled out a note to his father.
1, October
Father,
I'm sorry that I haven't written so far this year, I have very little time for anything these days. What with Head duties, studies, and Quidditch practice I barely have time to sleep. Everything else I'm supposed to do during the day just falls out of my schedule. I worry that I will disappoint you if I fail in any of my conquests. I was thinking that it might be better if someone else was to complete the assignment.. Pansy and Blaise would both be more than willing to carry out the duty, I'm sure, and I would have no problem aiding them if they needed anything at all. It's not that I don't want to, but I worry that I won't have time to create the perfect opportunity, and therefore the task will be left undone.
Draco
Draco sat and stared at his note-it couldn't be more perfect! That is, if he didn't get killed himself for backing out of the bloody assignment. But he was sure that his father would buy his argument. After all, he needed to keep his position as Head if he were to carry out any other ploys. After a few more moments he sighed and beckoned his owl over.
"It's worth a shot," he mumbled to himself.
"Malfoy! What the hell were you thinking? That could have killed me!" Hermione screamed at the blond boy standing across the common room from her that night.
"It wasn't my fault you decided to walk in at that moment; I was just practicing for charms. You should really watch where you're going," he sneered back, masking the fear he actually felt. He had just been practicing a more complicated set of disarming spells-that actually hadn't been taught in class-when she walked in. The spell went so close to her head he had thought she actually did get hit. Although Lucius would have been more than pleased had the spell hit her, Draco felt like he wouldn't have been able to live with himself.
"Charms class my arse. How stupid do you really think I am? You were using dark arts, so feel blessed I'm not going to report you this time," she huffed and moved past him into the room to start empting her backpack on the table.
"Oh really, and why aren't you reporting me, Granger? Got a soft spot for me?" he said while sauntering towards the table after her to take a seat.
"Get off your high horse Malfoy. I need to get through these ball plans quickly because I have a lot of work to do tonight and I would have one bloody hell of a time trying to do it all by myself if you were in detention. So please, can we get on with this?"
"Ok, well then I have an idea."
"I'm almost peeing my pants with excitement," she mumbled while ruffling through her papers.
He reclined back in his chair and smirked at his partner. "Now, now Granger. You shouldn't be so fast to judge, most people generally do pee their pants with excitement when I tell them and idea of mine."
"Fine," she sighed, "what is it?"
"I think we should have a normal ball," he said in a matter of fact tone.
"That was you're idea? You're such a waste of time."
"No, I don't want you coming up with some stupid dress up idea or something. If everything is normal it will take much less time to plan, and I'll get to spend much less time around your filthy self."
"Hand it to you to turn a statement into an insult," she muttered. "Fine though. If that's the fastest way to get this done, that's what we'll do. Now on to the details. I was thinking white for decorations? It's neutral and gives off a winter feel, since it's the winter ball."
"As long as you don't go sticking a Gryfindor flag in the middle, I really don't care. So why don't you just do the rest and I go to sleep?"
"Absolutely not Malfoy. As long as I have to do this, you're doing it too. Don't even think you're pushing this off on me."
"Ug, you're such a pain in the ass. Why don't you just copy all the stuff from the ball fourth year, everyone seemed to like it. We'll just make the decorations white, like you said. The idiots in this school won't notice that everything else is the same."
"Actually Malfoy, that's not a half bad idea," she said, excitement evident in her voice as she scribbled down the rest of the plans. "That means we're done, brilliant! Now I can get to my homework!" she smiled up at him and picked up all of her books. Draco could have sworn there was a skip in her step as she moved into her room.
But he was so distracted by her smile that he hadn't been paying that much attention to her feet.
