Chapter 5

The next day Hermione felt like her old self again.

Harry and Ron were at breakfast and acting like the tension of the last few years had never happened. It felt good.

"Morning 'Mione." Ron smiled as did Harry.

"Hi Hermione."

"Ron, Harry." She smiled and sat with her cooked breakfast. Just as she brought her self to the table, she was joined by Cho Chang, Pansy, Patel, Lavender; all the girls swarmed around her and insisted on having her attention.

"So do you know him?" all the girls had seemed to push Harry and Ron away, as they were no where to be seen. No matter how franticly she looked for them.

"Well…only as much as you do." She spoke quietly, wanting to apparate to anywhere but here. Too bad she didn't know how. And Hogwarts forbid it.

"But didn't he like, follow you around yesterday?"

"Well…" the girls moved closer, and she suddenly felt claustrophobic.

"Well didn't he?"

"Yes…but only for lessons. And not even first period."

"OOO!" they giggled and Lavender bit her lip.

"So did you get any alone time with him?"

"What are you saying?" she blushed and looked to her lap, looking very uncomfortable.

"Well I mean I just-" Hermione had focused on her lap as she had spoken again…and then stopped. They had gone deathly silent and Hermione whimpered to herself as a shadow overcast her. She had never seen a gang of girls move so fast in her life as she did then. When she thought she was alone, he sat next to her. But he didn't say anything. He was dressed in head to foot in the same garb as the previous day, other than he actually had a bag with him today. So he has supplies today…probably thanks to Dumbledore. She thought to herself, and looked squarely at her breakfast. It took a while, but she made a move to eat her cold scrambled eggs and beans. Slowly, she ate them, listening very hard for any sign of acknowledgement from her rather 'special acquaintance'. Hermione sipped from her glass, swirling her orange juice over her tongue and got the courage to cast a sideways glance at him. He was sat quite casually by her side, like he was alone as he read the Daily Prophet. "Retched thing that." she muttered to herself, looking at the closest article referring to Dumbledore as a 'mad loon past his century'. She was staring so intently at the paper; she didn't see Draco slowly look from what he was reading, and right at her with a sense of regard.

Had he heard her correctly?

"What?" he said clearly in a snarky tone of voice. She jumped, not thinking she had spoken loud enough to be heard. Obviously she was wrong in her assumption.

"Oh, I, erm, just." She stuttered and looked to her lap, fiddling with the strap of her satchel. "I meant the paper. They are so cruel at times…" she trailed off and looked to the floor, at the side that he was sat.

Draco looked to the paper, and back to her again. After a few seconds of nothing, he folded it and placed it on the side. He stood, and folded his arms. Looking right down at her. Hermione had never felt so small…

"What are you waiting for?"

"Oh, right, you don't know where things are, right." she stood up and focused on her shoes as she stood before him. He was so tall she thought from the attire she could see, that she was talking to Snape. "Well, what d d do you have n now?" she already knew she had single Herbology, single transfiguration and then double divinations. She growled. She hated divinations and she had been forced to take them again this year. And she couldn't walk out again…not now she was head girl.

"The same as you." He spoke, as curt as he had the day before and stepped aside, letting her lead the way.

"But, how do you know what I have?" he didn't answer her, even after 10 minuets of silence. She shifted from one foot to the next and decided that she wished she could get him to follow Malfoy, like he had been offered. "Look, I am sure that Malfoy would be better than me at-"

"Nothing." He interrupted, fists now clenched at his sides. The threatening tone to his voice made her jump backwards and snap her eyes shut.

"I, I'm sorry I just thought that."

"First period." He spoke smoothly again, and folded his arms. She took a few minutes to register the swift change of topic, but began to walk.

"Well…Herbology it is…" she murmured.

ooOoo

"Now we will be covering are the reversionary topics over the years, and first my personal favourite. Mandrakes." There was a loud groan from the class, but Prof Sprout didn't seem to notice from her ear muffs. "In pairs now class. I will let you choose." There was a bustling and Hermione saw Harry make a move to join her, until her vision went black. She looked up the black, to more black.

Yep, Draco had stood right in front of her and turned to face her. It was if he was daring her to work with anyone other than him. Hermione gave in, like she had any other choice, and pulled her dragon hide gloves on. When…

"I will be working with Hermione." She looked up from her bag, where she was looking for a tie back for her hair, to see Harry looking up defiantly at Draco.

"Is that so?" he said smoothly, lowered his face slightly, to punctuate his height advantage over him.

"Yes, now leave her alone."

"Hmmm…" he looked to Prof Sprout and waited until she turned to tend to a tray of plants. Draco then placed one large, leather Black Hand forcefully on Harry's chest and pushed him so quickly, he fell to the ground. Bu this point, the entire class joined in the spectacle, some cheering for one side (the Gryffindors of course) and some for Draco (the Slytherins, derr). Harry pulled his wand from his pocket and jumped up, ready to meet the obvious challenge, when.

"Harry stop it!" Hermione had jumped between them both and pleaded to him. "I will work with Draco, stop this now, please." She implored him, and shuddered from the hand that placed itself on her shoulder.

"I would listen to her if I were you, Potter." He spat, taking his hand back and pulling a pair of very large trowels from the work bench. Hermione helped Harry to his feet and used a quick cleaning charm to get the dirt off his robes.

"Are you alright?" She asked.

"I'm fine." He spat, but was looking at Draco. "But are you?"

"I'm fine Harry. Don't get into trouble over me, please."

"That git is starting to get on my nerves more than Malfoy." He scowled and Ron joined him.

"Must be the name Draco. I have yet to meet one who isn't an absolute pri-" but he didn't finish as Draco span round, his robes billowing with him and all of them could have sworn they heard him growling. But that was impossible.

Right?

"I suggest that you keep your mouth shut before I am compelled to ensure it never, opens, again." he snarled and grabbed Hermione's arm, yanking her away from them and death glaring them all into leaving. Except Harry and Ron. "Take this as a warning, do not fuck with ME." the ground beneath the two males of the dream team, collapsed and took them both into an underground, nocturnal plant garden. At this, Professor Sprout marched over to see what the commotion was about, and squealed.

"Boys! What are you doing down there! Get out of there this instant! You will disturb the devils snare!" luckily, Harry had grabbed onto the ledge of the dirt floor as he fell, and Ron clung to his right foot.

"Wingardium Leviosa!" Hermione instantly guided the two lads to lift up and laid them onto the classroom floor. She turned to Draco, who was neatly smoothing out his robes when he saw her flustered, scowling face. "You close that hole up right now! You hear me! Now!" she stomped her foot, and regretted her bossy order as he swooped over to her, towered over her like a Dementor and quickly sensed the drastic change in his mood. Man he was temperamental. He hooked his long neck forward, and looked right into her eyes. His mask prevented her from even thinking of returning the gesture. Not that she would, as her momentary 'balls' had well and truly vanished from the first moment he moved towards her.

There was a silence as neither teacher, nor student dared to interrupt the heated stare match from Draco to Hermione. Well, it was very one sides as it was Draco glaring, and Hermione blinking rapidly to stay composed…and failing…

Just then, he raised his hand like he was going to back hand her, and flicked his wrist in one, swift motion…at the side of her face.

The hole vanished, and there was no trace of it ever being there. She had gasped when he had moved so suddenly, and snapped her eyes shut in preparation for the worst…when it didn't come. She looked over her shoulder to the now unapparent hole and then back to him. He then tore away from her and took a trowel, tending almost lovingly to an empty plant pot. Hermione released a long breath that she hadn't realised until then she had been holding, and all but Draco looked to Prof Sprout.

"Well…erm…Mandrakes everyone. When you all have your ear muffs and dragon skin gloves on…" slowly, the class returned to some sense of normality, and even Draco Malfoy looked slightly unnerved.

Hermione forced herself to stand next to Draco at their work bench in the green house, and looked shamefully to her hands on the desk. She twitched them throughout the brief reminder on how to properly transfer a mandrake from one place to another, and thanked her lucky stars. When it came to crossing Draco, the outcome so far had never been as clean for the 'opposition'. Draco Malfoy was beaten to a bloody pulp, still looking very purple and would have looked worse if not for the glamour he was partially wearing; Harry and Ron were thrown deep into the earth and almost at the mercy of a pit of devils snare.

How on earth did she get away with screaming at him in a very condescending tone, with nothing but the feeling of impassioned fear?

They all were placed with a pot, with a Mandrake in it, next to the one awaiting it. Hermione reached for it, for Draco to take her wrist. She froze.

Then, she slowly turned her head to look at his covered face, and saw that that had been what he was waiting for, as he spoke quietly at her.

"Were my actions a moment ago harsh?"

She couldn't believe her ears!

Yes! Of course they were harsh! You threw my two best friends into a possible dire situation! Because you, you, I don't even know why!

But those words never came out.

They were not needed to answer him, however, as her reddening face and agape mouth told him how she felt. He forced her hand onto the table, to avoid looks, and leaned closer to her. "I suppose you might think they were, but I have no time for fools."

"They're not fools, they're my friends."

"Oh? Then where were these friends of yours when I arrived yesterday? When you were on your own, isolated from the rest of your year? Where were these friends of yours, when you honour was insulted by the likes of Malfoy? Was it them who ran to your aid? Was it?" did he actually expect her to answer that? "Well?" Obviously he did.

"…no…"

"I didn't think so. As I would remember. It was I who sat with you in potions, who sat with you willingly in every other lesson after, and saved you from humiliation from a dick like Malfoy. And I don't even remember seeing your 'friends' at the table this morning in the great hall, as I rescued you from those harpies. Or are they your friends now to?" he snarled.

"…you're hurting me…" she whimpered as he looked to her wrist. Indeed, he had been so angry, that his grip on her had tightened greatly. He looked to her face again, and saw tears from the pain.

"I apologies. It was not my intention to do so." he released her and scowled to himself. She didn't even hear me did she? She didn't even hear me say I was her friend…

"Don't mention it." a tear ran down her cheek and she reached for the mandrake stalk again.

"Wait." He reached out again, and this time gently touched her hand, ignoring her automatic flinch. "Don't use those gloves."

"But, but I have to. They are dragon skin and will protect me from-"

"Don't use them…think of the creature it came from…"

Oh, so you can be compassionate to giant creatures who try to eat humans by the dozen, but not your own kind? Ass! "I've seen it done…skinning them…brutish…" he said very quietly, but she heard it. She actually felt pity lick at her insides. "I'll do it." he reached out, took the mandrake and quickly transferred it to the next pot, before burying it. Then she saw something that made her gasp.

"You're not wearing ear muffs!"

"I am not harmed by the cries of these measly creatures…don't worry…" he smiled to himself.

She cared.

For the rest of the lesson, they didn't talk. Neither tried to, so neither did. Only the background drone of Professor Sprout could be heard as they cleaned the tools correctly, and placed them back in their proper places. Then Hermione hurriedly stuffed her things into her satchel and wondered if she ran fast enough, if she could get away from Draco. So she bolted as soon as the bell went.

Yes, this was irresponsible of her to leave him on his own, unaware of his surroundings and no, this was anything but mature. But she was so scared of him, it didn't matter to her. Right then, she felt like anyone would have done the same thing, just to get away from him. Her hand still stung as a reminder of his true strength. It had gone red and swollen, and he said he didn't mean to do it. So if this was an accident…

…imagine the pain he could cause if he meant it.

oh wait, she didn't have to. Seeing the violence unravel before her the previous day between both Dracos yesterday was enough.

She turned a corner of the stone walls, and saw the entrance. She was still running with laboured breaths when she ran through the door…

Over an outstretched foot…

…and fell face first with the floor.

"Draco!" she yelled, terrified as she turned onto her back and expecting her spine to chill, her skin to crawl with icy heat and her breath to feel like it was being drawn from her and up into those dark, eyes of that demonic mask.

Only, to see cold grey blue eyes, platinum blonde hair and a large purple lip, swollen and forced into a smirk.

"How did you know it was me Granger?" he sniggered. Crabb and Goyal were glowering ext to him, wearing those stupid grins of theirs that made them resemble constipated Flabberworms. "I guess you really are as smart as they say, to instantly recognise your better like that." his thugs of friends snickered with him, but grew pale and tried to get Malfoy's attention.

"Actually, I believe she could smell you before she could see you." Slowly, Hermione watched as the evil smirk on his face, contorted into a look of pure horror, his skin growing even paler if possible, and he took a step backwards.

"you!" he pointed accusingly, with nothing more to say. Hermione knew who it was from the look of terror in Malfoy's eyes and the low, rumble of the voice from behind her.

"Good, you remember me." He chuckled smoothly, and as she looked up, she saw what she had believed she would see from the moment she fell to the floor.

That foreboding body language, that devilish mask, the body of a god hidden beneath black clothing. He looked away from her wide eyes, and at Malfoy. "I will deal with you later." he whispered to her. she gulped.

That didn't sound good.

"And as for you Malfoy, I am feeling generous today. Your magic may fool onlookers like you baboon hide flunkies here, but not me. I can see the true extent of your injuries and I pity you. I do not regret my actions in the slightest." He almost glided in front of her he was so graceful. "But I will give you the chance to turn around, and walk away." he narrowed his gaze and folded his hands, his feet at shoulder length apart and his head hung forward slightly, making him looked pissed off again. "This time. But the next…or if you do not leave now…" within a heart beat, Malfoy was gone. As where his quickly following friends. "Coward. I would have respected him more for standing his ground and not running away…" He looked over his shoulder. Hermione was currently on all fours and crawling away so quietly, he had to suppress a chuckle and a grin. "Speaking of running away…" then her head snapped up, as did her body and she was soon in an all out run. He shuck his head like you would at a small child, amused but knowing he would have to go after her. "If that is how you wish to play…" he lowered his stance and looked at her fleeting figure. Now he did smirk. "Let's play."

Professor McGonagall was straightening up her papers on her desk. She had just received a letter from Albus informing her of her rather 'special' student. His history was shocking to say the least, and no doubt his power to be so fierce, she would have to watch hin closely. She had also been told however, not only is he starting with a bad attitude, but with a violent streak. If he is caught doing anything unacceptable and along the lines of dangerous, he is to be sent immediately to the head's office for a formal warning.

She chuckled.

Minerva knew Albus so well, that she could imagine that 'formal warning' all too well.

Let's just say, the scene she saw in her mind's eye, involved tea, lemon drops, chocolate frogs, a game of wizard cards and a little 'please don't do it again m boy'. He never has been one for severe punishments…not like myself or Professor Snape…

Indeed she and Snape were renowned for being the more 'strict' of teachers, even when in detentions they were stricter than any other professor in the school.

Her class was already on with their task of inflating their balloon with an 'Engorgio' spell.

But just then, the doors swung open and in came Hermione Granger, her best student, on her heels and skidding like she was on ice, arms flailing everywhere…

"Miss Hermione Granger! What on earth…aarh!" Minerva moved out wht way just in time, as she had jumped up at the commotion, and moved out the way.

She soon wished she hadn't.

By stepping out the way, she had let Hermione come careering past her and zoom towards the window. She screamed as the class gasped in unison, and a blur of black seemed to whoosh before her eyes with a whistling sound.

So it was travelling very fast. It followed Hermione out the window, and neither could be seen. Prof McGonagall ran over to the window, noticing two trails of blue slime where Hermione had been, and peered out the window quickly. What she saw made her gasp.

"Good heavens!"