Everett's Proposal
"Hermione!" Christopher smiled, extending a hand towards her. "Great to you see you again."
Flabbergasted, Hermione took his hand and shook it.
"Again, you say?" Everett asked, bewildered. "By Jove! Have you two met?"
"Indeed we have." Christopher replied. "Just yesterday, actually."
"It's-" Hermione began; her voice became slightly crackled. She cleared her throat before saying, "It's great to see you again too, Christopher."
"Hey, call me Chris." He replied, grinning.
Hermione smiled weakly as she nodded, but could not bring herself to say more.
Malfoy raised his eyebrow with bemusement, but chose to remain silent as he took a seat next to Bianca, hardly sparing her a glance. Hermione found this odd, seeing as she was absolutely gorgeous; however, she chose to ignore it. Malfoy probably just had a lot on his mind; after all, they were going back to Hogwarts that afternoon. He was probably just anticipating the moment that he'd be rid of the annoying little mudblood.
She seated herself next to Malfoy, leaving the remaining empty seat next to her for Christopher. He gladly took it.
"Well, now that we've all been acquainted … or, er … reacquainted" Everett slurred. "Let's hear what you have to say!"
He looked to Hermione expectantly, much to her astonishment; she had been so befuddled by Chris's presence that she had completely forgotten the reason that she was there. Snap out of it! She scolded herself. I'm here on official Hogwarts business! I must be professional! She cleared her throat once more, preparing the speech that she had been practicing in her head since the previous day.
Without looking at Christopher – for fear that he would cause her to make a blunder – she began her pitch. "Well, Mr Everett, as you know, Professor Dumbledore is more than eager to have you teach Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts. In fact, he's thrilled at the thought. I mean, who wouldn't be? You're the man who created the Ronvunctus Curse! You're brilliant, sir! Imagine all of the young witches and wizards who will be able to walk away from Hogwarts saying, 'I was taught by Morris Everett himself'. It would be an honor beyond belief. I'm so disappointed that this is my last year at Hogwarts; I would've loved to be taught by you. Unfortunately, I'm not as lucky as the hundreds of other students who will have the honor in the hopes that you accept. These are the young minds of the future, Mr Everett. You could have a hand in creating them. Molding them."
"You'd really have loved it if I were your professor?" Everett asked, his chest swelling with pride.
"Oh, yes!" Hermione exclaimed; she was breaking him! "Draco would've too. Right, Draco?"
Malfoy's head snapped up; obviously, he had been in la la land. Hermione wanted to smack him. He looked round at her, stared at her for a few moments, and then said, "… What?"
"Wouldn't you have loved it if Mr Everett could've been your professor?" Hermione demanded, attempting – without much luck – to control the surge of anger pulsing through her veins.
"Oh … sure." Malfoy replied.
Hermione glared at him, but decided to continue talking in hopes that Everett would disregard Malfoy's ignorance. She stomped on Malfoy's foot before continuing and was pleased to hear the sharp "ouch!" escape his mouth.
"Sir, Hogwarts really is an unforgettable experience. Teaching is also an unforgettable experience. Imagine the immense satisfaction that you can gain from doing two things that are so incredibly self-fulfilling? And not only self-fulfilling! You're helping so many in need of your brilliance. Are you really willing to deprive them of it?"
Everett grinned, his chest still puffed out; Hermione appeared to be getting through to him. "Well, I'm glad to see that you inspire such confidence in me."
Hermione smiled. "Thank you, sir."
"However-"
Hermione internally sighed, already ready for this.
"I've really got to use the toilet." Everett finished; Hermione sighed once more, for real this time. So that was why he was dancing around in his seat. She just figured he was a little tipsy from his drinks.
"So, excuse me." Everett said, still grinning. He lifted himself from his seat and made his way to the loo on the other side of the café.
Hermione's heart leapt abruptly to her throat the moment Everett left the table. It was just Christopher, Malfoy, Bianca and her left, and no one was saying a word. However, after a moment, Christopher said, "Hermione? May I have a word with you?"
Startled, Hermione cried, "Sure!"
She stood up after Christopher and followed him to the familiar bar, though neither took a seat.
"That was all a big load of dung, wasn't it?" He asked, looking her straight in the eye with his own crystal blue ones.
Hermione was taken aback. "What do you mean?" She asked, honestly baffled.
"You would have loved being taught by him? Students would leave Hogwarts saying 'I was taught by Morris Everett himself'? He'd be depriving them of his brilliance? You're lucky he's a bit tipsy or I'm sure he'd see right through this little ploy of yours."
"Ploy?" Hermione asked, her cheeks reddening. "There is no ploy! I just-"
"Hey, I'm not complaining, nor will I stop you." Christopher interrupted, grinning. "Hell, I find this hilarious. You're working him like your own little puppet, and it appears to be effective. He seems to have taken a liking to you; use that to your advantage."
"Thank you." Hermione smiled. "Do you think he'll accept?"
"I honestly don't know." Christopher said. "I mean, the only reason he brought Bianca and I along was for moral support. Although, from the looks of it, the booze gave him about as much moral support as he needs. Still, I think you're getting through to him."
"I hope so." Hermione said anxiously.
Glancing over Christopher's shoulder, she could see Malfoy and Bianca still seated together at the table; however, they seemed to be arguing. Arguing? Hermione thought. But why?
"Hold one on moment." Hermione said, walking past Christopher towards their table. He pursued her. Once she reached the table, neither Malfoy nor Bianca seemed to notice that she was standing there.
"I wasn't expecting-" Malfoy hissed; he was leaned in closer towards Bianca, as though worried about being overheard.
"Am I interrupting something?" Hermione asked, crossing her arms.
Malfoy backed away instantly, shocked to see her there. "No." he spat; he seemed rather angry.
"We were just talking about my father." Bianca replied, putting on a smile. "Chris and I didn't realize that he'd been drinking until it was a little too late. I'm sorry if this makes things a bit more difficult for you."
"Quite the contrary." Hermione replied. "It seems to be somewhat easier."
Bianca grinned. "I really hope he'll accept the position. Chris and I tried to convince him of it all night, but he wouldn't hear of it; says the job is cursed or something. Load of rubbish, of course."
Hermione laughed uncomfortably; the truth was, Lord Voldemort had put a curse on the Defense Against the Dark Arts job, which caused the professor to not last more than a year with the position. However, she was sure that now that Voldemort was gone, the curse was broken as well. Still, she wasn't about to tell Bianca about it.
"Well, don't I feel better!" Everett exclaimed, staggering towards the table. By the way he was walking, Hermione could tell that he must have brought a flask into the bathroom. No wonder he took so long. She sighed. This was really who Dumbledore wanted?
Everett plopped himself down into his seat, then indicated for Hermione and Chris to do the same. Obediently, they did. Hermione was grinning inside; she no longer felt awkward sitting next to Chris. He was so easy to talk to, much like Harry and Ron, for example. She had no reason to feel nervous anymore; though, the butterflies in her stomach had not completely vanished.
"Mr Everett, we-" Hermione began.
"Uh uh uh!" Everett interrupted, holding a hand up to silence her. "While in the bathroom, I pondered your rather … er, compelling speech. And I must say, I'm very impersed."
"Impersed?" Bianca asked, staring at her father skeptically.
"Impressed." Christopher corrected quietly.
"Yes, that's the one!" Everett said, pointing at his son. "Impressed. So impersed, in fact, that I'm considering accepting Dumblydore's proposal."
"Oh that's wonderful!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Wait a moment, don't get your knickers in a knot." Everett said. He took a moment to chuckle at his analogy. "What I mean to say is, I haven't whole-heartedly agreed. It's a big position, you know. Cursed, some people say."
"I assure you that it's not cursed." Hermione lied through her beautifully reassuring smile.
"All the same, my safety is at risk here." Everett rambled on, slurring his words every now and then. "So, I'd like to make a proposal of my own."
"And what's that?" Hermione asked apprehensively.
"Well, it's simple. You see, I want the best for my kids here. Little Bianca. Little Chris. Not so little anymore, but still motherless. Since their mother … er, passed away last year, they've been out of school. Beauxbatons. Chris would've been graduated by now, and little Bianca would be preparing for it. Now that they're ready to hit the books again, that oaf Maxime won't let them back in."
"Surely she'd take kindly to them!" Hermione exclaimed. "I've met Madame Maxime, she's a lovely lady-"
"Yes, but her school is number one to her." Chris sighed. "She doesn't want to send us back to where we were because we'll be behind, and to her, a behind student is a lagging student, and a lagging student is an incompetent student. Maxime will not accept incompetent students into her school."
Hermione shook her head in disbelief. "I can't believe she can be so cruel."
Bianca nodded. "Nor can I."
Everett cleared his throat noisily. Everyone turned to stare at him. "I'm not finished." He said irritably.
"Sorry, sir." Hermione immediately apologized. "Please, go on."
Everett nodded to show his respect. "Anyway, the point I was getting at is that my children don't have education. You can't get anywhere in the wizarding world with no education. Well, maybe the driver of the Knight Bus … but how do you expect them to care for me in my old age if all they're doing is driving the Knight Bus! Pish posh. They need education. So, here's my proposal. You and this young chap," – he nodded towards Malfoy – "speak with Dumblydore. Tell him that I request that my son and daughter have a place at Hogwarts. If they enjoy the school as much as you think I will, then I'll take the job next year. If they don't … well, I think you know the answer then."
Christopher and Bianca stared at their father in amazement. Obviously, he had not spoken to them about his proposal. However, they did not look angry; on the contrary, Christopher cracked a huge grin and took his father's hand, shaking it heavily out of sheer excitement. Bianca, on the other hand, expressed herself differently. She had a light smile, but something seemed to be holding her back; perhaps she was just worried about leaving her father behind.
"Draco and I will speak with Dumbledore." Hermione said, smiling. "And we'll have an owl sent to you as soon as possible with his answer."
Everett grinned. "Excellent! Drinks all around, then!"
Malfoy looked as though he was about to accept the invitation; Hermione took this as a sign to get going. "Actually, Draco and I had better be on our way." She said, standing up. "It's been wonderful meeting with you though, Mr Everett. With hope, you'll hear good news from us soon."
"Like I said, you've got a lot of spunk!" Everett said, chugging down another drink.
While Everett shook hands with Malfoy (and, much to Malfoy's displeasure, engaged him in a small conversation), Hermione prepared to say goodbye to Christopher.
"I suppose I'll see you at your school then if your Headmaster accepts, huh?" Christopher said, making small talk.
"Yes, I suppose so." Hermione smiled. She gazed into the endless blues of his eyes; she could have stared into them all day.
"Well, let's hope that he accepts then." Christopher grinned. He extended a hand for the third time in their less-than-24-hour relationship, but this time, Hermione took it without hesitation and shook it with the same goofy grin upon her face that Christopher's held.
Hermione said a quick goodbye to Bianca as Malfoy did the same to Christopher, and then, with one last round of goodbyes, Hermione and Malfoy left the café. Hermione was not happy at all.
"What's with the frown?" Malfoy asked, indifferently. "You did an okay job in there. Smile."
"Exactly!" Hermione exclaimed. "I did an okay job in there! Where were you, Malfoy? My god, you are the most incapable Head Boy I've ever met! I hope Dumbledore realizes that one day and fires your sorry ass on the spot."
"Until then, I'll live it up as best I can." Malfoy smirked. "And what was with that boy in there, huh?"
"What do you mean 'what was with that boy'?" Hermione asked, her cheeks reddening as she said it.
"How the hell do you know him? Were you out man-hunting last night? Did you tell him that you're a mudblood, because that bothers some wizards-"
"I met him outside our hotel!" Hermione cried. "And he was a sweet, caring, compassionate guy! Much like the opposite of you, I'd say!"
Malfoy sighed. "I don't feel like arguing. I'm tired. I just want to get home."
Hermione glared at him. "Then shut up and walk."
And for the remainder of the walk towards the secluded spot where they could safely Disapparate back to Hogwarts, neither said a word, though both holding back their tongue with all of their willpower. It seemed as though things would never change.
It looks as though Hogwarts is going to be seeing a little romance this year, huh? Excellent!
I've had concerns (and I'm sure you have the same) that this will be a Hermione/Christopher, Draco/Bianca fic, and not a Hermione/Draco one. All I can say to that is that you must be patient. Love grows slowly, especially between two people who believe that they despise one another. Just be patient and enjoy the story that's slowly unfolding. I'm sure you won't be disappointed :)
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Jessica (JJLove28)