Chapter 12
"Hermione, no. stay here."
"I am not missing another day of school. I am fine Draco, now let me go."
"Not happening."
"Draco, I mean it. I really need to get to class."
"You are still recovering. You are not going anywhere but back to bed."
"You sound like Madam Pomfrey." Hermione pouted and sat back down on the bed. She had summoned a fresh set of clothes, gotten dressed for class, and was just about to leave when Draco stood between her and the door.
"I sound like someone who isn't going to let you past them, to get ill again. You might still be having repercussions from the window incident."
"Speaking of which…" Hermione chuckled. "I heard from Nearly Headless Nick that you found Peeves this morning."
"I did."
"And?"
"And he is in the next bed." Hermione pulled back the curtains of the next bed, and peered in. sure enough, Peeves was laid on the bed shivering.
"How did you…never mind. I don't think I want to know."
"No, you don't. Now as for you." He lifted her up in his arms and laid her on her own bed. "Stay."
"Yes master." Hermione closed her eyes and pretended to sleep.
"Why do I get the feeling that you are just going to get up and leave once I go?"
"Because you probably have a gift for Divinations. But don't let Prof Trelawney hear that, or she will predict you a vicious death and fall you a fraud."
"…you don't like her do you?"
"Nope. Not even if my life depended on it would I pretend to have any good will towards that woman."
"In other words, no." he chuckled and sat down. He didn't know or care what had happened, to make Hermione relax so much around him, or care so much for him, but he loved it. It was so easy to talk to her now, touch her. He didn't have to worry that she would scream or run away like he did before. He almost forgot all his worries around her. Almost…
"So go on before you are late for Charms." She huffed, folding her arms and pouting.
"I will come back soon. It is double charms, but I have a free period after it and I will be right back here."
"Alright, just go already."
"Alright. Good bye, Hermione." He stood next to her, and bowed his head to her.
"Man you are tall." She reached up and knelt up too, and still wasn't at his shoulders. "Wow, really tall."
"Inherited I guess."
Yeah, from the dragon parts of you.
"Well, I want what ever you're eating." He chuckled.
"Trust me, you don't." he chuckled again, and put his hands on her shoulders. "Now lay down."
"Grrr." She mock growled, and he froze. "What?"
"Did you just growl at me?"
"Huh?" she looked confused, so he dropped it.
"I will be back soon. I will take notes and bring them for you if you wish."
"Just make sure to have notes for yourself."
"I will." He stood up and started to leave.
"And don't start a fight with Malfoy!"
"I will try not to."
"Or Harry!"
"Very well."
"Or Ron."
"Good bye Hermione." He chuckled from the door.
"Hey! You didn't say you wouldn't fight Ron!" she jumped out of bed and ran after him. she got as far as the doorway, when she was pressed against the wall. Draco stood with his hands on her shoulders, his body pinning her to where she stood, and his head to one side, close to hers.
"You know, I knew you'd do that."
"Well, you didn't ay you wouldn't fight Ron so…"
"How about I say, I will be on my best behaviour?"
"God enough…but if I find anyone being brought in here, half dead then-"
"Then I will have you to answer to." he cut her off and placed a black covered finger over her lips. "Now you need to rest. Can you return to your bed yourself, or will I have to carry you?"
"Oh no!" she swooned overdramatically and fell forwards. He caught her and laughed. He then swooped her up into a bridal hold, and carried her back to her bed. "Oh gosh I seemed to have lost my balance."
"Oh, just wait until I finish my class. Then, I will get you and make you lose your balance." He chuckled.
"Why? What exactly are you going to do to me?"
"…"
"You can't just say you will do something to me, and not have a threat to back it up." She folded her arms like it was common knowledge. "So, you are going to do something to me that will make me lose my balance. What?"
"…I have Charms…"
"Chicken." She laid on her side and let her back face him.
"What did you just call me?"
"A called you a small breed of common domestic fowl also called Gallus Domesticus. A C H I C K E N."
"Oh you are going to pay for that!" Draco jumped onto the bed and yanked the pillow from under her. "Submit now, or else." she stuck her tongue out at him. "You asked for it." he began beating her with the pillow and she threw her arms up to stop him.
"Give up!"
"Not until you do!" she laughed her head off, like she hadn't in years, and sat up. She pushed his chest and somehow, managed to push him back onto his back. She pulled a spare pillow from the side of the bed, and launched her own attack at him. At first he cancelled out her attacks with his own pillow, until she yelped and held her wrist. "Hermione? Are you alright?" He sat up and put his pillow down. He pulled her wrist towards his, and looked down at it. But he couldn't see anything wrong with it. "Where does it hurt?"
"Right here!" she used her other hand, still holding the pillow, to smack him in the side of the head. He fell back and because he was still holding her wrist, he pulled her with him. Hermione fell right ontop of him and soon capitalised. She sat up, her hand he held pushing down on his chest, and the other holding up the pillow. She had kicked his weapon off the bed I the struggle. "Now who is too ill to go to lessons?"
"…" he simply looked up at her. She raised a brow, and then blushed madly. In sitting up, she had straddled him full on, nothing holding her pelvis from his but their clothes.
"Something wrong Draco?" she cocked her head to one side. she looked so innocent, it made him shake his head.
"No, nothing I just-damn." He turned his head away, and put his hands on her hips. "You need to move."
"Huh?" But he threw her off and practically scrambled off the bed. He stood with his back to her, and seemed to be controlling his breathing.
Was he really that embarrassed? She put the pillow on her lap. "I am sorry if I embarrassed you Draco. I didn't mean to do that, we were just having fun. I haven't had fun like that in years."
"I have never had as much fun." That is why I have my back to you.
"Oh, then I will see you soon?"
"Yeah, you will." He was about to walk away, when Hermione crawled to the end of the bed and wrapped her arms around his neck from behind.
"Thank you Draco."
"What for?" he leaned back into the embrace, and placed his hands over her arms around his neck.
"For everything. I mean, you have looked out for me and been there for me, stuck up for me and well, been a true friend. You are a little extreme, but your always have the best of intentions. And you jumped out a window for me. I think that shows devotion, down you?" she chuckled.
"I am devoted to you." He said softly over his shoulder. She squeezed him once, and chuckled again.
"You know you are late for Charms, right?"
"Not yet. I have 5 minutes."
"To get all the way over to charms? I don't think so."
"Oh, I will do it."
"Care to tell me how?"
"No."
"Grrr!" she mock growled into his back, and felt a rumble in his chest. He growled back and seemed in a daze. She cocked her head to one side, and leaned her mouth close to where his ear would be. She purred a growl, and he growled even louder. His hands dropped from her arms, and rested on her thighs. Mental note, growling gets a cuddly response. His hands started to rub up and down her legs. A very cuddly response. As she continued to purr at him, they started to move up towards the junction of her legs. Ok! Too cuddly. "Draco, Charms." She reminded softly. "You now have 3 minutes."
"I could skip it."
"No, I need your notes remember?"
"Oh, yeah." He shuck his head vigorously and stepped away from her, keeping his back to her. "Well I better be off. (cough) excuse me."
"See you later!"
"See you soon, Hermione…" he purred her name and she was blushing, without realising it. He left the infirmary, and she had no idea how he would make it on time. Or that he had melted into a shadow outside the door.
"Ms Granger? Are you feeling alright? You seem flushed."
"No, no I am fine." She sat back in her bed and sighed deeply. Draco had reacted rather strangely to her purr. He growled back and started rubbing his back against her, and feeling up her legs. I wonder if it has anything to do with his Dragon sides. As he was starting to act very animalistic.
"Can I get you anything? Today is just an observation day for you, so if you would like anything…"
"Could I have a piece of parchment and quill? I would like to write to the headmaster, if that is alright."
"Of course."
888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888
Dear Professor Dumbledore, Headmaster's office, behind his desk.
This is Hermione Granger of Gryffindor.
But you will know that.
I just wanted to enquire something about Draco's behavioural tendencies.
I have already discussed my discovery of how his Dragon temperament, matches the exact Dragon's. But I wondered if his reactions, and reflexes, are affected in the same way as his behaviour. Could that be possible? And please don't ask me why I would ask this. I have just noticed that he growls, roars and snarls a lot depending on his mood. I just feel that this may be how I get to him, help him learn how to act more and understand him.
Tell me what you think.
From
Hermione.
Dear Ms Granger, in the infirmary, the third bed from the west wing.
Although you have asked me not to, I can't help but wonder what would bring about this enquiry. But alas, I shall respectively leave it be.
Indeed, I have also noticed these traits. I wish I could say he had the verbal traits of a pussy cat, but a feline, he is certainly not.
As for these verbal outbursts from our black clad friend, I can only agree with you in the assumption that it is a genetically inherited attribute. I suggest that you investigate this further, as I already know you shall, and I shall be very interested in your findings.
Yours truly,
Albus Dumbledore.
Hermione decided right there, that she would have to not only get some books out of the library on the behavioural actions of Dragons, but ask Hagrid too. As he did look after 'Baby Norbert' and so will know at least something she could use.
But as for now, she had to get ready for Draco. She could use the study period to catch up with what she missed in Charms.
Just as she placed her glass of water down, guess who stalked in. it was hardly one minute from the end of second period, and he was here.
"Hermione."
"Draco."
"How are you feeling?"
"Good, thanks."
"I have your notes here." He dropped a roll of parchment on her lap.
"Thank you and…you did two lots?"
"Yes, one for me…and one for you."
"I was going to write this during your free period."
"Well…I did it for you. So now you can relax instead. You should be resting after all." He said curtly and at down on the chair next to the bed.
"You didn't have to."
"I…wanted to." he looked away, his arms folded. Hermione crawled towards him, and saw him turn to face her. She was smiling and was about to say how sweet that was, when he started to growl at her. She stopped, still on all fours, and cocked her head to one side. She hadn't done anything, had she? Draco had his hands on the very ends of the chair arms, and looked like he was ready to pounce. She blinked, and stayed perfectly still. When he stopped growling at her, and sat back, Hermione let go of the breath she had been holding, and sat up. She wanted to say 'what was that all about?', but couldn't find the words. The air around him was thick and from his body language, she didn't think he wanted to talk about it.
"So…" she folded her legs. "What did you so in charms today?"
"I didn't beat anyone up if that's what you mean." He chuckled.
"I knew you wouldn't, I just meant…never mind."
"We levitated each other." He chuckled. "Well, I levitated the rest of the class…at once…" he saw how large Hermione's eyes went, and couldn't take his gaze from her lips as they parted in shock.
"The…entire…class?" she squeaked.
"Indeed. I may have over done it…but I was bored. And my partner continued to fail their attempt to make me hover off the ground, so I took matters into my own hands." He relaxed into the chair, and Hermione rolled her eyes.
"You certainly know how to make an impact, don't you."
"Well…" she imagined the cheekiest grin under his mask. "I do try."
"Would I have thrown a cow if I saw it?"
"Possibly two." She rolled her eyes again, and laughed.
"Good thing for you I'm not in a condescending mood then."
"And, what, kind of mood are you in Hermione?" she raised a brow and her eyes narrowed on him. just what was THAT supposed to mean? "Never mind." He stood up, and started to run his hands through his robes. "I have a letter for you."
"Oh?" he sat down again, fanning his robes around himself, and handed her a grubby letter. "Who from?" she looked to the scruffy writing and smiled. "Hagrid." She answered herself.
"He found me on my way back here, and seemed rather jolly about it. He was wearing that sickening grin of his and asked me to deliver this to you, like he thought I was you personal owl or something."
"You, my personal owl. I like the sound of that." she chuckled under her breath. But she forgot about his enhanced hearing.
"You like that idea, do you?" she went slightly red, but decided to recover herself.
"Yeah, I do actually. I may be against enslaving house elves, but 7 foot bad asses with way, way, too much time on his hands? No problem. I don't even bat an eye at that thought."
"You like the idea of me being your slave?"
"I do actually." She pulled a grin, and opened the letter. "Very much, slave." She chuckled when she heard him growl, and not happily. "Be nice to your mistress, slave. Or I will have to punish you." She sarcastically tried to pull off a Luscious Malfoy, and pulled a face that made Draco bend over with laughter. She then smiled and looked to her letter.
Dear Hermione.
I know that Draco will take this to you, so you will be wondering how I knew Draco would be coming to you when he was. or what this letter is about.
Well, first, Dumbledore told me how to find Draco, and where you were. He also told me that you want to know a little more in the care, not the facts or history, but how to get personal with Dragons. He said Ron was taking a holiday to see his older brother Charlie, and you would be adopting a Dragon while you were out there. So, I have a few things waiting for you at my hut. Just a few essential books for you to get your teeth into, and some other nice toys and treats for the little beauties. So come down when you can, and I will see you when I see you.
Get better soon and I hope you can still come and help me on Saturday.
From your old friend,
Hagrid.
It took her a while, but she soon translated it to…
Dear Hermione.
I know that Draco will take this to you, so you will be wondering how I knew Draco would be coming to you when he was. or what this letter is about.
Well, first, Dumbledore told me how to find Draco, and where you were. He also told me that you want to know a little more in the care, not the facts or history, but how to get personal with Dragons. He said Ron was taking a holiday to see his older brother Charlie, and you would be adopting a Dragon while you were out there. So, I have a few things waiting for you at my hut. Just a few essential books for you to get your teeth into, and some other nice toys and treats for the little beauties. So come down when you can, and I will see you when I see you.
Get better soon and I hope you can still come and help me on Saturday.
From your old friend,
Hagrid.
"Well? What did the over grown garden gnome want?"
"And why should I tell you? Slaves don't get to look into the personal lies of their masters." She smirked at him, but froze when he jumped up. At first she thought he was angry, but he stalked onto the bed with her, on all fours, and leaned over her. He might not know it, but she could see his tail wagging slightly behind him.
"I will show you just who is the master and who is the slave in this relationship." He purred and pushed down on her shoulders.
"Draco! Sit!"
"As you wish." He chuckled and sat on her, like she had earlier that day. "Now what was on the letter, or I will read it."
"You will have to take it from me first!" she pushed him off, and jumped off the bed.
"Is it a chase you want? Well, I'm game." He laughed and ran after her.
"Oh no you don't!" he tried to reach for the note in her hands, and she dropped to the floor. She crawled under the bed, and he followed her. But she crawled straight out from under the bed, and climbed ontop of it. She knelt up, the letter to her chest, and looked frantically from left to right, a grin on her face all the time. Her eye twinkled with excitement, like never before. Then, she yelped as the bed took flight. She clawed to the bed as Draco stood, holding it above his head and stepping away from the wall.
"Forfeit the letter, or else."
"I know you wouldn't hurt me, so that is an empty threat!" she chuckled and smirked wildly. "You can have the letter…" he put the bed down and looked to her, hand outstretched. But she stuffed it down her shirt, and down her bra. "If you can take it from me." she said smugly. Because she knew he wouldn't. He growled loudly, and folded his arms. "I thought you wanted the letter?" she mocked, and laid back on the bed.
"I do." He growled, and then looked to her. Her victorious smile faded when he stalked over to her, and straddled her. "I do, actually." He pinned her arms above her head with one hand, and chuckled. "What's a matter? You look like I called you bluff. Oh wait, I did. Now, give it to me."
"Nope." She stuck her tongue out at him, and popped her hips. She wrapped her legs around his waist, and slipped her hands out of his grasp. She then pushed on his unbalanced body, and turned him onto his back, with her straddling him now. "I win again." she chuckled and tried to get off him.
"Oh really?" Draco grabbed her hips and rammed her back down. He then turned them back over, him between her legs and ontop of her. "I think not. I win everything, every time."
"That was before you became friends with Hermione Granger!" she stuck her tongue out again, very childishly, and once again tossed him over. "So get used to it."
"I could get used to this." He wanted to smack himself, he hadn't meant to say that aloud. Hermione blushed madly and stopped all movement. "I meant playing with you, no, Merlin no! don't look at me like that, I meant rolling around with you like this-wait-no I don't mean that either!"
"Then what exactly did you mean Draco?" she raised a brow and folded her arms. And he was silent.
"I would answer you, but I seem fuck up everything I mean to say. So for my own good, I am not going to answer that question."
"I think you should, right, now." She narrowed her eyes at him, and leaned forward. But she couldn't pull off menacing with all her life, so he just sat up, with her on his lap.
"I don't think I will."
"Yes, you will."
"No, I won't."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
"No, and aren't you getting tired of this."
"Yes you will, and I could go all day with you." She blushed bright red when he clasped a hand over his mouth, trying not to laugh really hard. "And I didn't mean that!"
"Then what did you mean? I think you should tell me." he mimicked her, and she pouted.
"No funny." She folded her hands too, and looked away, with her eyes closed. Just then, she heard a crinkling from her chest and looked down. She then looked to Draco, who had a hand pen and the palm facing her chest. "Oh no you don't! cheat!" she pressed her hand down, stopping the escaping letter in its tracks.
"You never said I couldn't use magic."
"Well, you can't use magic. Especially not on my breasts!"
"Oh dear, did I come at a wrong time?" they both looked to see Dumbledore stood, an amused twinkle in his eyes and looking like he was suppressing a chuckle.
"No! No we weren't doing anything!" Hermione shouted. Draco then grabbed her shoulders and pushed her off him.
"No, we weren't." He stood with his back to both of them, muttering profanities under his breath. All were directed at Dumbledore. He however, seemed to find this amusing.
"Well, I did come to find Ms Granger, and ask her how she was feeling. She seems to have been in the infirmary more often than in classes this week. And the first week back too."
"I would have been in lessons today, but somebody wouldn't let me leave. And I don't mean Madam Pomfrey." She pouted at a cocky Draco. He simply looked to her and said.
"You were so sickly when I found you yesterday, that I wasn't going to be responsible for you fainting again."
"Oh, really?" she stood up to him, arms folded and scowled at him, like a child.
"Yes, really." He chuckled arrogantly, and folded his arms too, and looked down on her.
"You know, this glaring at you isn't as affective when you are around 7feet tall, and I am barely 5 foot."
"Don't worry about it small fry. Your glare couldn't scare me if we were the same height anyway."
"Why you cocky little-"
"Please Ms Granger. I am still here." Dumbledore chuckled and saw her blush slightly.
"Sorry headmaster." She looked to her feet.
"Well, now that I see you are more than able to take care of yourself, you may leave and attend your defence against the dark arts lessons. I have spoken with Harry and Ron and they are eager to see you again.
"Pah! Potter and Weasley didn't even come to see her this morning! And they weren't there yesterday, or when she was very ill, and they aren't here now, and."
"And I believe that you are being overly defensive over Ms Granger." Draco clenched his fists and snarled.
"I am not-"
"I will leave you be for now. I assume that you are aware you have 10 minutes to get to class?"
"10 minutes! We will never make it on time."
"Master Draconian will escort you, I am sure. Fare well." Dumbledore apparated to his office and Draco was still fumed.
"Fucking old bastard and always interrupting me all the fucking time." He grumbled and Hermione gathered her things. She was glad she didn't change back into her night clothes, and started brushing her hair.
"We need to get to lesson. We are already late."
"Not yet. I wasn't late to Charms, and I had 3 minutes."
"Well I would love to know how you do it."
"I do it, like this." Draco pulled her bag away from her, and slung it over his own shoulder. He then lifted her into his arms like a bride, and started walking out of the infirmary. "Comfy?"
"Oh, very." She rolled her eyes and snuggled against him. She looked up to see him looking right at her. "What? I was getting comfortable…" she trailed off as he simply chuckled, and walked on.
"You will need to hold on to me, this will be odd for you at first."
"Why? Are you going to apparate? Only Dumbledore can do that on school grounds."
"No, I don't apparate. I shadow jump."
"What?" but she didn't have time to question further as he walked straight into a wall. She was about to scold him for not looking where he was going, when she saw nothing but darkness. "AAA!"
"Relax, I am here."
"Where?" she felt the warm chest against her face, and huddled to it.
"Right here, holding you." She smiled. He was being gentle again. Maybe he can smell my fear… it didn't matter why; he was just being gentle to her as she felt gusts of air against her. She then saw light again and looked to see the door of the Defence against the dark arts class room door.
"How did we…wait…shadow jumping?"
"Yes."
"You mean we were literally jumping, from shadow to shadow?"
"Yes. Are we in the right place?"
"Yes, this is the right place. Quickly, before we are late."
They walked inside, and saw that all of Slytherin, and half of Gryffindor, were already seated. Hermione spied Moody playing with a see through ball, and looked up as they entered.
"Ah, Ms Granger. I am glad that you finally come to one of my lessons this week, as I understand you have been under the weather. Next time, check your flask before drinking. And if it smells funny…don't drink it. Take a seat." Hermione saw a seat near Harry and next to Ron…but there was only one. She looked around, and saw two seats, alone, at the back of the class. She headed there, and looked to Draco. He looked from Ron and Harry, to Hermione at the back. He then quickly made his way to her and sat down. He sat back in his chair, and folded his arms.
Bad ass. She thought, and listened to her teacher as she pulled out her quill, her parchment and her latest DADA book.
"Don't think I didn't see what you did." he chuckled in her ear, and she felt a hand on her leg. She looked down, and it was his. He squeezed her leg once, and let go. She smiled; it had touched him that she would rather sit with him, than her old friends. They were still her friends, but so was Draco now. So she couldn't leave him on his own, just to sit with her other friends, who already had each other's company.
"Now today, we will be Looking at the always accurate results of using a Reviball. Now does anyone know the uses of a Reviball? Yes Ms Granger? You had your hand right up there at the back first. I saw you."
"The main use of the Reviball is to reveal whether the person being interviewed, mostly by an aura as they are the only ones permitted to legally own one, is telling the truth to a question, or a lie. It is also a cousin to the Remembrall, as it was founded by the same inventor."
"Very good Ms Granger. Nice to see your back to your old self. 20 points to Gryffindor and for that, I want you to come up here to demonstrate the uses of a Reviball with a partner. You may chose I am not concerned." He started to polish the white version of the Remembrall, and waited behind two empty chairs.
Hermione looked to Draco, and he nodded. Hermione got up and walked to the front, Draco close behind. "Ah, interesting choice in partner. How are you Lad?"
"Fine." He said curtly, and Moody chuckled.
"As enthusiastic as ever, ay Danny boy."
"My name is Draco." He sounded miffed, so Hermione stepped in.
"How are we to help?"
"Ah, yes, down to business. Please take a seat each, if you would." Hermione bent to sit, but jumped back up again when Draco kicked her chair over. Everyone was silent when Draco towered over Moody and looked down on him. His fists were shaking, clenched and by his sides. But it appeared as if he did something right, from the way Moody was smiling. "Well done my lad. Saw right though my burn bottom jinx on that chair. But tell me lad, how did you know it was there? It is invisible unless you have either an eye like mine." It span for affect. "Or the inner, seeing eye."
"I was suspicious. I have a cautious nature."
"I see…well." He chuckled. "Your 'cautious nature', just saved Ms Granger from a burnt bottom. Don't look at me like that; it wouldn't have really hurt her. It would have worn off after a few minutes."
"That isn't the point. Since when did the twisted, paranoid aura Mad eye moody, resort to using childish prankster jokes from Weasley Wheezes?"
"Since I got a sense of humour. But I could lose it fast if persuaded." His voice lowered and his Magical eye joined his normal one, and stared at Draco. But when Draco laughed, he didn't even flinch. That was, until Draco tilted his head to one side, and poked him in the chest. Hermione soon saw this turning into a fight, and stepped in.
"I am fine Draco, really. Professor, what do you want us to do now?"
"Clear the chairs of curses, and then sit in them."
"I will do it." Draco said, not taking his glare from Moody, and flicked his hand. Not only did they make a clan 'ding' sound, but the chairs actually turned into soft black, cushioned chairs fit for a king.
"Oh boy…" Hermione could have tripped on the hostility.
"What do you want to be when you are older lad? Wouldn't have anything to do with us meeting outside of school, like your dad would it?"
"If it was, I would be the one winning."
"Is that a confession lad?"
"Only to my distaste of you, old man. I never did like the smell of you." He leaned closer to him. Sniffing him. "Disgusting."
"Draco!" Hermione pulled on his arm and made him turn his body to her, but his glare remained in place on the older wizard. "Draco! Remembered what you promised me? You said you would try to act better, you said you wanted to try. Then please, try. This isn't how decent, proper people act!" he started snarling when Moody smirked at him. "Draco! Calm down before I start getting angry!" Draco looked to the side slightly, and grunted.
"Be grateful, old man. I was this close to skinning you."
"Like hell you were, Danny boy." He chuckled.
"My name is Draco!" he roared. He definitely didn't sound human then. It was a mixture between a hiss, and a lion's roar. His hand shot out and grabbed Moody by the throat, and he immediately started to turn blue. With his free hand, Draco yanked the wizard's wand from his shaking hand, and snarled. Hermione sniffled as tears welled up in her eyes.
But she had to do it.
"Draco stop it!" she kicked his shin hard, and his gaze turned to her. On the inside, she was crying for someone to come and save her, but she shielded this from him in her eyes, and stood strong. "Let him go Draco. I mean it. My magic may not stop you, but I will not let you go so far you get taken away." she said cold, and firmly. "I have just accepted you as my friend, my dear friend. You promised me that you would try, if not for me, then for yourself. Let go of him Draco, I am asking you as a friend."
"He knew exactly what he was doing, he deserves this!"
"Do I deserve this?"
"What?"
"It hurts me to see you this angry. It makes me wonder why you get like this, and what horrible thing you had to go through, to make you so mistrusting of people so quickly. I don't want to see you taken to Azkaban; I want you here, with me Draco."
"Hermione…" he released Moody, who had been getting his breath back through the loosened hold on him ever since Hermione kicked his assailant. "I…" he folded his arms and looked away.
"What house do you belong to boy?"
"He doesn't have a house Professor." Hermione interrupted. She could see Draco was trying to calm himself down, and talking to the one who angered him in the first place, wouldn't help.
"Right, then Dumbledore will learn of this. Right, choose another partner Ms Granger."
"No, no let him stay. At least, give him another chance." She pleaded for him and Draco was touched. His arms fell by his sides and he looked to her. he hung his head in shame. I don't deserve her…
"…fine." Moody only agreed after seeing the reaction of the teen in black, and pointed to his hand. "If I can have my wand?"
"Don't need it anyway." He grunted and threw it at the desk. Moody picked it up, and then lifted up the Reviball.
"Just for that, it is pay back time." He rubbed his hands together, as they both sat with their backs to each other, as the chairs had been put back to back. "Now, look directly in front of you please. That's it Ms Granger. Draco…thank you." He raised the ball, tapped it with his hand, and it hovered above them. "Right Ms Granger, ask Danny boy here any question, and he must answer truthfully. I gave it an extra kick…" He chuckled.
Hermione saw so many questions fly in her mind. She saw Cho wave her hand. "Yes?"
"Please sir, could we make this a class experiment?"
"And how would we do that?" Moody thought this should be interesting.
"Could we all write down one question, put it in a hat, and then let Hermione ask them at random?"
"What an excellent idea! 20 points to your house. Hurry now, write one down on a corner of your parchment and I will collect them." as there were scribbles and giggled, and snickers, Hermione turned to Draco.
"Hay."
"Yes?"
"You do realise that he meant it when he said this would be pay back for him, don't you?"
"You don't know how much I realise that. I am really going to get it, right?"
"Yep. I always say if you aren't careful, your actions can come back to bite you in the butt."
"Yes, I feel I shall be very sore after this, yes?"
"Oh, big time." She chuckled. "And thanks."
"What for?"
"For stopping when you did. you listened to me and it meant a lot, thanks."
"Hermione I-"
"Right!" Moody rubbed his hands. "Here is the hat Ms Granger. Look to the front now kids. And read Ms Granger." Hermione sighed, and ran her hand through the hat. She was dreading what the female population of questions would say. And then she whimpered when she read the first one.
"Draco, what is your star sign?"
"Scorpio." He said, very bored.
"Sorry about this."
"No problem. It isn't your fault."
"Next one." She pulled it out. "What is your favourite Quidditich team? Chuddly Cannons? Or the Bulgarian team? I bet that was from Ron…" she looked to him, who bushed and shrugged.
"I do not know what you mean?"
"Which team do you prefer?"
"I have never heard of any of them. What do they play?" and then there was a silence.
"How can you not know what they play? They play Quidditich!" Ron shouted, and make people chuckle.
"What is Quidditich?" another silence. Hermione turned to Moody.
"Is this ball working?"
"Oh yes, more than 100 percent."
"Draco, have you really never heard of Quidditich?"
"Never, should I have?"
"Where have you been all these years?"
"In the glade." He snapped his hand over the mouth of his mouth.
"What is the glade?" Hermione asked.
"Only questions from the hat now my dear." Moody quickly intervened.
"Oh…" she pulled another out, making a mental note to ask him about it later. Then she groaned. The one she had wanted to avoid. She bit her lip and looked over to Cho. it was either her, or one of her 'gang'. "Draco…this comes in two parts. The first part is…"
"What?"
"Well…don't get upset over this…but…" she took a deep breath. She closed her eyes and wished this would get her in even more trouble with him, than kicking his shin. She thought perhaps this would hurt even more. "Doyoufindanyoneatractive?" she forced out in one breath. Only Draco, the one with super hearing, heard what she said. He span round and stared at her.
"Who the fuck wrote that!"
"Erm…" she saw the name in the corner. "It doesn't day…" but the ball flashed red and made a loud whirling noise.
"The no lying goes both ways Ms Granger. Only Draco is magically bound to tell the truth. But it still detects if you tell the truth too. And please, control your language Draco." Draco grunted, and Hermione gulped.
"You…haven't answered…"
"You haven't answered me. Who wrote it, and I will answer."
"…Lavender brown…"
"Mental note, SKIN that bitch." Lavender whimpered in the class, and the rest of the girls also started to worry.
"Draco! You will do no such thing!"
"Fine! But you ruin all my fun…"
"Well Draco?" Moody tapped his shoulder, earning a warning growl. He took his hand back quickly. "You still haven't answered the question. Please repeat it at a rate we can all heard Ms Granger."
"…do you find anyone attractive…?" she bit her own lip when he started to make growling noises, and noises that made him sound like he was ting not to say something or scream. Or even throw up. He stomped his foot on the floor and gripped the side of the chair.
"NNnnnnnyyyyeessss. Damn it yes!" he started swearing badly and made some of the class go white and feel ill. That was, the ones who hadn't gone all giddy and dreamy eyed.
"Draco! Language!"
"Yes, I can speak it! thanks for noticing!"
"Next part of the question Ms Granger."
"Fuck, I forgot there was more. Shit!" He clasped his hands over his sensitive ears. He wasn't going to hear it if he didn't have to.
"…I'm sorry Drago…but…who…do you find attractive?"
"Fuck this shit! I refuse to answer!" Draco folded his hands and radiated so much heat, that Hermione almost started to sweat. She actually had to pull her outer robes off. So she was left in her skirt and shirt and tie, she got that hot.
"Can he do that?" someone asked and yelped when Draco glared at them with his red lensed eyes.
"Well…technically he can. He isn't lying…I never said he couldn't refuse to answer. I will let him refuse this one, but not any other ones after." He tapped the ball with his wand, and turned to Hermione. "Next question please.
"Ok…Draco are you…I am NOT reading that!" she blushed madly and put it back in the hat…but Moody lifted it out with his hand.
"Ready it. It is only fair."
"Draco…don't hate me."
"I never will."
"Never?"
"Never."
"The questions please."
"Oh…sorry Draco…are you…Gay?"
"Let me think. that is a tough one you know. Am I gay? Let me think about this. I find the thought of two men together disgusting, I really like the way women look…especially one, special woman…I like tits-"
"Ok, just a yes or no will suffice." Moody rolled his eyes and noticed all the laughter from the class.
"Then Hermione, don't worry, I am not gay."
"That's good to know."
"Is it?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"I am supposed to be asking you questions, not vice versa." She blushed.
"I wan to know."
"Tough, here's your next question. Are you…well Harry. I will answer that one. No."
"What did Potter ask?"
"You don't want to know."
"Would I actually say no?"
"You would say no, swear a lot, breathe fire, and there would be a cold carcass on the chair where Harry sat."
"…breathe…fire…"
"Oh relax Draco. It's a metaphor." Technically it is a metaphor…so I wasn't lying…
"Right, of course it is."
"Next question. Draco, would you like to…"
"I will say no right now and be safe, shall I?"
"Yes, you will. Not unless you like lub?"
"…No…"
"Right. Next." Moody sat back. This was entertaining, and he no longer needed to over see it. "What is your favourite colour?"
"Guess."
"Pink?"
"…"
"Oh I was just kidding. Purple, right?"
"Hermione…"
"I know, yellow?"
"…I am not going to respond to that."
"No? The how about white with multicoloured poke-a-dots?"
"You are enjoying this way too much."
"Well? Was I close?"
"No…"
"Is it…" she gave a dramatic pause. "Black?"
"That, and Hazel."
"Hazel?"
"Yeah, Hazel."
"Any reason why you like Hazel Draco?" Moody asked.
"There is a reason." He simply stated, and grinned. He was getting this hand of this.
"Draco, if Hermione asked you to…I think I will skip this one."
"No, no I want to hear this one."
"Well, I don't."
"I am the one answering, and besides. I have been embarrassed enough, it's your turn." He chuckled.
"Fine…damn you…Draco." She began again. "If Hermione asked you to strip down and cover yourself in a coat of melted Chocolate, caramel, and Honey, so she could like it off you, would you?" she looked like her head was about to explode. "Oh and Zabini? We. Will. Have. Words."
"I don't think I would Zabini, I don't like Caramel." He said. "What? It's the truth! I don't like Caramel. And isn't all that stuff sticky? I wouldn't get covered in that stuff, it would get stuck in my-"
"Next question!" Moody interrupted for him. Draco nodded thanks, and grunted. He almost let something really important slip then. And Hermione didn't miss it either.
"Draco, I think Hermione…"
"Come on, I need to hear this one."
"Draco, I think Hermione really likes you. She is practically all over you and swooning everywhere, just for you to catch her. I saw how you carried her around that night, and I know you took her to your room. Do you think she fancies you too? And what exactly did happen in your room that night?" Hermione jumped up and looked right at Cho. That was confirmation enough who wrote the note. "P.S, go for it Hermione." She spoke through her teeth through embarrassment, and it didn't help when Draco fell off his chair laughing. "Well I am glad you find this funny!"
"Oh, oh I am…well…I don't want to hurt your feelings." He sat up and smoothed himself out. "Well…do I think Hermione fancies me…well…would you like to answer this Hermione?"
"It is your question Draco." She spat, furious with embarrassment.
"Well…I don't know. I would have to ask Hermione really. Hermione?"
"This isn't funny you cad." she scowled with a flush on her face, refusing to face him. Her blush alone would answer his question.
"The question has to be answered, and I can't answer it for you as that wouldn't be fair. So…"
"So it is your question and Cho doesn't care if I feel anything for you. She wants to know if you think I like you."
"…could you answer it anyway?"
"What exactly do you want me to say?" he didn't say anything and faced forward again. It was silent for a few moments, before he answered.
"I…I don't…I don't think she does…" he said, sounding very down. She wanted to hug him he sounded so broken. "And as for what happened in my room…I was monitoring her as I do not trust the judgement of Madam Pomfrey. I wanted to take care of her personally to ensure she was alright. She returned the next day when she was feeling better."
"So you didn't have her on the bed at all?" Malfoy laughed and so did the Slytherin half of the class. Draco jumped up and looked like he was going to kill someone, so Hermione jumped up onto his back like a piggy back ride, and put her hands over his eyes.
"What are you doing?"
"If I cover your eyes, you will calm down."
"No, I will just get annoyed."
"Calm down, and I will move." There was a moment of silence. Then he turned away from Malfoy. Hermione slipped down his back and walked back over to her chair. Draco sat back in his, and they continued. "Next Question. If the dark lord…"
"Ask it!" he demanded, on edge and half turned to face her. "Ask it, now." He said very dangerously. Hermione didn't have to look at the signature to know it was Draco Malfoy who had written this one.
"If the dark lord met you in an ally way, and offered you to join his Death Eaters, what would you say?"
"I wouldn't say anything. I would act."
"…and what would you do?"
"That wasn't in the question. So I refuse to answer it."
"Ok." Hermione looked to see another.
"Oh, this is better. Dear Draco. I have a friend who is attracted to someone. That someone doesn't notice them, and has no idea how to woo anyone. Or turn anyone's eye with looks or flattery. This friend has asked me for advice, what would you say?"
"What is this? Great, I have to answer this, don't I?"
"Yes." Moody chuckled.
"Fine." He thought hard. "I would tell the not to advanced at courting friend of yours, to go to the one they desire, push her against the wall and tell her not only how they feel, but kiss them until they relent. Then, take them somewhere to make them feel special and be good to them. Be loyal, and it wont matter that they haven't got a way with words, or that they may not look like a prince charming."
"Draco…that was…wow…really good advice." Hermione turned around and smiled at him. He shrugged.
"I have to be honest. I haven't got a choice."
"Although I would seriously think about the 'push against a wall' part. But…that was really…deep."
"You…liked it?"
"Yeah…" He turned to her and she smiled at him. and under his mask, he smiled back.
But then the bell went for the end of a single lesson. But this was a double lesson.
"Right, well. For the rest of the lesson, I want you to compile a list of situations where this Reviball would be used, and why. Off you go you two. I will clear everything away." Draco stood up and held a hand out for Hermione. She took it, and he hooked arms with her all the way to the back seats. At first, Hermione thought this was really sweet. Until she saw him lagging Lavender brown and Cho. Hermione rolled her eyes and realised he was doing it to piss them off, not because he wanted to.
For the rest of the class, it was silent as they did their task.
Although they didn't say anything, Draco and Hermione kept stealing sideways glances at each other, and at one point, they both reached for the same piece of parchment. Draco's hand rested on Hermione's, and he curled his fingers around it. He then moved her hand under the table, and held it. Hermione then chuckled when he used his other hand to steal the last piece of parchment and whisper 'I win' to her.
The final bell went and they walked together in a happy silence all the way to the Gryffindor portrait of The Fat Lady.
"This is my stop." She chuckled, and he pulled her into a hug. She melted against him…until…
"Got you!" he started to tickle her madly and she cried with laughter.
"Lemme go!" she giggled as he jabbed his fingers in her sides. She squealed and jumped. He chuckled and held his hands out.
"A special spot, ay?"
"Oh no, no don't!" Hermione ended up running around like a little child, and ducking around and under his arms. "AH!" he hooked his arms around her from behind, and started to jab her sides. She laughed loudly and got 'awwww's from the portraits. And the Fat Lady chuckled at them.
"You are mine!" he chuckled as she slipped from his grasp, and skipped backwards into the wall. She was red with laughter, and her eyes sparkled from joy. He stalked towards her, and pinned her shoulders against the wall. She laughed at him, drugged on giggles.
"What are you going to do now, slave? You don't have any hands left to tickle me."
"Oh, we are back to the pet names are we?" he pinned her in place with his body, and put both his hands just over her shoulders. He had to look down, but he looked down into her eyes. Their smiled faded, and Draco started to purr. The feel of her, like this, pressed between the wall, and more importantly him, was unbearably arousing. He just wanted to tear his mask off, both their clothes…and…well you get the picture. His breathing started to get heavier, and he looked back in his mind to the same advice he had given to a question.
Well, he had her pinned against a wall…so it was a start. He felt a wave of sudden courage and pressed his forehead to hers. "I, Hermione I…I have something to tell you…"
"Yes?" she whimpered. Oh she hoped it was what she thought it was. let him say it, let him say it please.
"I…well…I…"
"Hermione?" he snapped his head up and looked over his shoulder. Ron and Harry were walking towards them and he growled. "Bastards" he cursed and backed off her. "I will see you tomorrow. I will be aiding with Hagrid, after all."
"What? He is coming too? I thought Hagrid asked us three?" Ron looked upset.
"Well…I asked him to come. He doesn't have anything else to do, and he gets dangerous when he doesn't have something to occupy him, I've noticed."
"The devil makes work for idle thumbs." He chuckled and started to walk away. "I shall see you at breakfast Hermione. Weasel, Potter." He walked into, and straight through a wall with shade from a large vase.
"Wha? Where did he go? How did he do that?"
"He shadow hopped. He used shadows like portals."
"And Dumbledore just lets him do that?" Ron squeaked, and they said the password to the Fat Lady. They walked inside, and Harry was busy reading through a Charms book.
"Yes Ron. Dumbledore trusts him."
"And you sure do too apparently." He remarked.
"And what does that mean Ronald?" oh, he knew she was miffed. Especially if she just used his full name.
"Nothing…just can't believe you invited him to help at Hagrid's tomorrow…that's all…"
"Well he is my friend Ron. And he will be yours too, if you let him."
"Ha! Not likely." Ron remarked. "The name Draco, just has a jinx to it."
"I think you need to stop Ron, she isn't impressed." Harry whispered to him. But it was too late.
"I just mean, it is a little odd you know."
"Odd? Do tell Ronald." She pursed her lips together. He could use this chance to get himself out the hole he has dug, or trade his shovel for a monster digger. Either way, this was his last chance. They moved over to the fire place, and Harry sighed as his friend made a huge mistake. He opened his damn mouth.
"Well I mean, the guy hasn't ever heard of Quidditich. Who's never heard of Quidditich?"
"Harry didn't when he first came here."
"He was raised as a muggle. That doesn't count."
"Well, it is possible Ron."
"Another thing!" he leaned forward in his chair. Harry could see it. In his mind, Ron was picking up his own foot and putting it in his mouth. "That is three teachers he has attacked this week! For no reason! Yeah…Snape was funny…but Hagrid and Moody?"
"He has a bit of a temper problem."
"A bit? A bit she says. Merlin Hermione, can he do no wrong in your eyes?" Harry slammed his book over his head. He prepared for a lot of yelling, explosions, and tears on Ron's behalf. Oh, fire was about to fly. He could feel it.
"And what do you mean by that Ronald?" she made fists in her robes and her knuckles were going white.
"I mean, I wish I was more like him. I mean, he stormed in here, shouted his mouth off, slapped people around a bit, and now he's your flippin' prince charming!"
"He, just, needs, a, friend, Ronald." Harry could fell it. any minute now. All it needed was one more grain of sand and this place was coming down. Be smart for once in your life Ron and shut up now!
"A friend? It isn't a friend he needs. It's the next train to St Mungo's."
"Ronald Weasley!" Hermione jumped up, tears in her eyes, her face in a scowl and her wand pointed at Ron.
Oh Merlin. Here it comes. Poor Ron. I can see it now, on his grave stone. Ron, beloved son, brother and friend to many. He was a good child really; he just didn't know when to shut his mouth. "I have never been as angry with you as I am this moment Ron. Draco Draig Damnatio Draconian, happens to be my friend and I will not stand here and listen to you bad mouth him in such a manner. Especially when he is not here to defend himself."
"Should have known this would happen, you, stick up for him, again. I mean, you seem to love that guy. More than you do me and Harry here. We saw how you passed us over for him in DADA today. Oh yeah, real palsy you and Draco aren't you? And then, we caught you all 'touchy feely' outside the portrait too."
"We were messing about. Having fun."
"You, 'coz you can't do that with us anymore can you?"
"Ronald! It has been you who has been distancing yourself from me recently, not vice versa. And I haven't neglected Harry, as he is not objecting in any way. The only time I haven't been with him is when you have taken him off and sulked with him in your own little stupor of childish querulous, cynical, self centred and perverse view of moping!"
"Hermione!"
"Listen Ron, don't you talk about him so harshly, when you have been such a brute to me. I may have forgiven you, but I have not forgotten. You say that you are my friend? Where were you when I was crying, hurting, bleeding, alone and scared? Where were you? Because I certainly couldn't see you! Draco, however, was right there with me. He stayed with me until the last second and returned at the first opportunity he could. He was there for me Ron, he was there. You, were not." Hermione grabbed her bag and stormed off to towards the girl's tower.
"Hermione! Wait!" Ron ran after her, but the stairs became smooth and he couldn't get up them. He heard the slam of her door, and hung his head. He slowly walked over to Harry, who finally looked up from his cover. The book.
"…nice work Ron."
"I know, I screwed up. I'm an arsewhole."
"You, only just realised?" he chuckled.
"Harry, help me out mate. I don't know what to do! I just wanted it to be me, you, and Hermione tomorrow. Now that Draco is there, I have no chance to talk to her."
"Even if he couldn't go, I don't think she would talk to you right now mate."
"…really? Ya think?" Ron sighed and fell into his chair. "I am fucked."
"Why? Because she will never talk to you again? Or because Draco will notice that she isn't talking to you, has been crying all night, as she will do because she thinks she has upset you, and that you are the cause for it?"
"…I didn't think of that…"
"Well, Malfoy laughed at her, and he got a hell of a beating. But…Hermione wasn't affected about that. But this…this as really hurt her. So…it isn't what are you going to do about Hermione that you should be worried about. It's what are you going to do about Draco?"
"Shit."