Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter's world. That is the property of JKR, a most talented woman. So, don't sue me.
Plot: Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger are normal talented wizards who, on their 16th birthdays, learn otherwise. They are now burdened with family secrets that no one can ever know. They return to Hogwarts and struggle to get their lives back on track. However, when they notice something different about each other, both vows to find out one another's secret.
A/N: Hey, guys! Here's the next chapter. I love last chapter's reviews. They were awesome and you guys make me feel loved. Instead of flowers, ya'll send me reviews. Keep it up! I won't keep you any longer from reading, so further comments are at the end of the chapter.
The Moon's Call
Chapter Five
Draco held back a growl as he was jostled in the crowd inside the shop of Flourish and Blotts.
Yes, he was in Diagon Alley. He was getting his school things for the coming year. Frankly, Draco didn't think school was worth diving into a crowd just to get his books. There was no way and the rest of the shops were bound to be just as packed.
His nose was assaulted by the numerous bodies weaving circles around him. He could smell heavy perfumes and colognes, body odor just beneath that. He scented blood as a woman passed and he nearly swung back to follow her. A scowl surfaced when he realized she was going through her woman thingy.
Yuck.
Sharp voices hurt his sensitive hearing, but he gritted his teeth and took the pain like a man. He kept himself looking strong while others whispered heatedly about him and his father.
"Is that Lucius Malfoy's son?"
"His father's in Azkaban, you know."
"Is he still allowed to go to school?"
Draco focused on blocking the angry buzz following him wherever he went. He managed to get new robes and his books. He restocked his potions ingredients as well as parchment, quills, and ink. He wanted to go into Quality Quidditch Supplies, but it was too crowded and he was nearing his breaking point. It was best to just leave as fast as he could.
Why couldn't the day be like last week? There was hardly anyone and it was quiet and peaceful.
He shouldered his way to the area designated for apparating to and from Diagon Alley.
"Draco!"
Twisting automatically before he could stop himself, Draco came face to face with Pansy Parkinson. He felt his control slipping.
"Draco," she said breathlessly when she caught up with him. "Where are you going?"
"Home."
She glanced back and he followed her gaze to a cluster of Slytherin girls. He could tell by the way they stood. Then she turned back and said, "You don't have to leave so soon, Draco. Why don't we get a sundae at Fortescue's? You can tell me about your summer."
He stared down at her. "No, thank you, Parkinson."
Her perfume was too strong. It was all he could do to keep from pinching his nose shut…and her awful breath wasn't helping either.
"But, Draco—"
"I said no, damn it!" he barked irritably. Parkinson ducked her head instantly. "Now shove off before I get really angry."
Without another word, she hurried away, glancing over her shoulder at him all the while. Draco turned away and consciously rolled his shoulders to rid himself of tension. The noise wasn't as loud here and he took the opportunity to take deep breaths.
One…Eyes closed, Draco breathed in through his nose.
Two…He exhaled.
Three…One more time.
Fo—His eyes snapped open. His nostrils flared wide, trying to catch that scent once more. He swiveled around in a flash and he covered the area before him in a second.
Wizards milled around shopping. The same crowd as before.
Draco knew he had smelled that scent before. He knew it was a person, but who? Hell, he couldn't even remember where that scent came from.
Shaking his head at his jumpiness, Draco made to turn back and continue home when he spotted a familiar bushy brown head.
His lip curled in anger.
Mudblood Granger.
His first instinct said go straight to her and beat the shit out of her, girl or not. She was practically elemental in bringing his father down. His second repeated what the first said. His third was to go before she saw him. His fourth prodded him to look for Potter and Weasley.
Strategically speaking, to go straight for Granger now was suicide, figuratively speaking. That would give his House hell, not to mention, make the bloody Gryffindors anticipate more trouble and he didn't need that. He wanted them to lower their guards and at the right precise moment, strike at the heart of their House, which he supposed would be…Granger.
Yes, that mudblood saw everything. She would have to go first. Weasel saw even less than Longbottom and that was saying a lot. The Weasel was next and Potter would be last.
He tracked Granger's movements like a hawk. A scowl settled upon his face as he watched the happiness crease her face. What did she have that he didn't, that she could be happy and he wasn't?
"It's not fair," he whispered. Anger burned deep into his heart until he could take the heat no more. Draco spun on his heel and left Diagon Alley.
After a curt greeting to his mother, he retreated into his bedroom. Throwing himself onto his bed, Draco began to dissect what he knew about the Mudblood of Gryffindor.
She was intelligent…a mudblood…small…very attached to her books…a teacher's pet…very close to Potter and Weasel…brave…determined…and there was a sort of vulnerability she exuded when she was alone…
Where did that come from?
Draco shook his head.
It would take a lot to bring her down. She suspected the worst of anyone in Slytherin. So that left out many of his acquaintances—many, but not all.
He had a few connections in Ravenclaw that could suit his purpose. Draco wasn't, however, trusting enough to establish any ties to Hufflepuff. They were too…yellow. There wasn't any other word for it. Something about them made his spine tingle and not in a pleasant way either.
Selecting the right person was crucial. He, or she, had to be believable enough for Granger to drop her heavy guard.
And when she did, she was good as gone.
Draco smiled in anticipation.
—As many of you have guessed, Draco is the black wolf Hermione met in the woods in the last chapter. Damn, are you guys psychic or something? Or am I that obvious?
Ridea: It's funny that you mention that book because I just bought it this two weekends ago (3/4/05). I've only read the first three pages, but they look awesome. I agree. I probably will like it. Have you read any of Amelia Atwater-Rhodes' stuff? She is such an excellent writer. Maggie Shayne is also a good vampy writer.
Vashka: I do watch a lot of discovery channel. I also love animal planet. The Animal Face Off show kicks ass. I also have four dogs and wolves are my favorite N. American predator.
BloodJewel: You asked about the muggle wolves being gray vs. the wizard wolves being black, and I thought that was very observant of you. My answer to that is the pureblood wolves are a variety of natural wolf coat colors. It's just a coincidence that both Draco and Hermione are both black, although Draco's family tends to lean towards the white silvery coats. Heh heh, he's gonna be the black "sheep" of the family.