A/N: Hey! I was just thinking about something…for some of you, the title of this fic might be completely confusing. But if you know what Inconceivable means (if not, I suggest looking it up), then you probably realize that it makes sense ;)
Shorter A/N this time, hehe, on with the story!
Chapter 21: 'Mione's Man and the Old Coot
Pansy was fuming. She raced up to the castle, trudging down the corridors.
"If I can't have Draco, no one can!" she muttered angrily to herself, following a few Gryffindors into their common room.
'If I want Draco to myself, I'll have to have a plan. And I'll need someone to help me,' the Slytherin thought, looking around the room.
She spotted Seamus blankly staring out a window out at the lake.
"Perfect," she hissed under her breath.
She skipped over and sat down next to him.
"Hello, Seamus…" she drawled in a high, silky tone.
"What do you want, Pansy?" Seamus spat, seeming a bit annoyed.
Pansy ignored this. "Let's talk…"
---
Hermione took a bite of a chocolate frog. Ginny accompanied her as they sat on a couch by one of the fireplaces. After a long, cold day in Hogsmeade, the girls were taking a bit to relax over hot cocoa before dinner.
"Hermione, you do realize how lucky you are to be going out with the most wanted bloke in all of Hogwarts?" Ginny said over her copy of Witch Weekly.
"Oh, Gin, it's not just the looks you know. He has been more considerate, and much sweeter. I mean, look at how he so willingly cared for me while I had amnesia," Hermione pointed out.
"Yes, well, he was the only one you remembered properly," Ginny reminded, helping herself to a Bertie Bott's Bean, "Ew, horse radish," she muttered, spitting it out. "But either way, 'Mione, he is hot."
Hermione smiled and took a sip of her hot cocoa. "He gave me this beautiful necklace on Christmas eve," she added, throwing her hair back so Ginny could have a better look.
"Oh, Hermione, that is beautiful!" Ginny gasped, leaning over to see the trinket.
"Yes, but this morning he gave me this absolutely stunning scarlet bouquet of roses," Hermione sighed. "And to tell you the truth, I'd prefer something as simple to jewelry any day."
"Aw, 'Mione, he is too sweet," Ginny smiled, "And not to mention—"
Just as Ginny was about to finish her sentence, the portrait flew open and in waltzed a shirtless, sweaty Draco, who had just returned from Quidditch. His silver locks fell in his eyes and he carelessly shook them back.
"Hello—" Draco caught sight of Ginny and instantly rearranged his sentence, "Granger."
Hermione laughed. "Oh, cut it, Malfoy, Ginny knows about us."
Ginny found it hard not to stare. " 'Mione's man, 'Mione's man," she was muttering to herself.
Draco chuckled. "Well then, in that case…"
He made his way over to the girls and scooped up Hermione in his arms, devouring her lips with his in a passionate kiss. When they parted, he set a blushing Hermione down and, with a quick wave, headed toward his room.
Ginny, with wide eyes, managed to gasp. "Did I ever mention to you how absolutely gorgeous that boy is?"
---
About thirty minutes later, after Ginny had already headed back to her common room, Hermione found herself deeply concentrated on her latest book.
" 'Evening, love," Draco greeted, taking a seat next to her.
Hermione did not seem to notice his arrival, and remained engulfed in her novel.
Draco watched her for a moment, his head leaning against his hand, with his elbow propped against the sofa. In one quick movement, he snatched the book out of her hands and placed it beside him.
"I was reading that, you know—" he silenced her lips with his.
"My dearest apologies, fair maiden," he drawled in a fake superior accent. "Do talk to me now, the She Weasel knows about us…"
"Yes, Ginny does, and she's
not upset with the idea, which is good. Now, Harry and Ron will be a
different story…"
"Who said we had to tell Potty and the Weasel?"
"Oh, Draco, I wish you wouldn't call them that! They're my friends, you know," she scolded.
Draco feigned hurt. "Well, sorry but they're my enemies, you know. I'm not sure they themselves would be too fond of getting friendly with me either."
"You seemed to have gotten over that long enough to get to know me. I'm not saying you've got to run off and be their new best friends, but lay down on the insults a bit."
"It's in my nature, Hermione," Draco began, but seeing the puppy dog look upon Hermione's face, "but I suppose for you, anything."
Hermione smiled and planted a kiss on his cheek. "Right then, off to bed it is for me. Dumbledore wanted to see us tomorrow morning after breakfast, just thought I'd let you know."
"Just one more thing, though. Ever since the beginning of this year, I've been wondering what the bloody hell our password means," Draco remained in his position.
Hermione smiled innocently. "Well, if you really want to know… 'Hentai' is a Japanese word for 'perverted', and I got Dragon from the Latin meaning of your name," she said briefly, all the while focused on her nails. She quickly leaned over and lightly kissed his cheek before skipping off sweetly to her room, leaving a very befuddled Draco behind.
---
The morning came too soon for Hermione's taste. She quickly showered, changed into her school robes, and headed down to breakfast.
She found Ron sulking, as Harry and Ginny chatted over some toast.
"What's the matter, Ron?" Hermione asked her friend, as she slid into a seat next to Ginny.
"Classes start tomorrow. I mean, blimey, we only had what, two weeks off?" Ron protested.
Hermione rolled her eyes. Other than Ron moping, both boys seemed awfully quiet. Hermione seemed to notice.
"Boys, something seems wrong. What is it?" Hermione questioned.
Harry exchanged a glance with Ron. He took a deep breath and began to speak.
"Look, Hermione, we hope you don't take this the wrong way or anything, but we think you've been acting a bit strange lately," Harry said cautiously.
Hermione's stomach wrenched into a tight knot. Did they know something they shouldn't?
"S-strange? What ever do you mean?" Hermione asked, trying to remain calm.
"We feel you've been growing a bit distant, as if there's something you're not telling us," Ron added.
Out of the corner of her eye Hermione noticed that Ginny was throwing her nervous glances.
"Did it ever cross your minds that Hermione might be a bit busy? What with all her Head Girl responsibilities, and with NEWTS coming up, I mean, not to mention bunking with Malfoy," Ginny asseverated, "I mean, honestly, the pair of you, one would expect more consideration!"
Both Harry and Ron were silent, staring at Ginny with surprised expressions. Hermione was red as Ginny's hair and quite concentrated on her feet.
"Thanks, Gin," she muttered so Ginny could barely hear.
"You're welcome. Now if some people wouldn't mind, I'd like to finish my breakfast in peace," Ginny said sternly, flipping through the Daily Prophet with little interest.
"Sorry, 'Mione, we really didn't mean—" Ron began, but stopped as he noticed Hermione wasn't really paying attention.
After a few moments of utter silence, Hermione began to gather her things.
"I should be going, I've got to meet with Dumbledore. See you all later," she said quietly, getting up to go.
---
As if hiding things from her friends weren't enough, the fact that they were suspecting something made her feel even guiltier. Hermione had always been a mediocre liar, but thankfully, Ginny was excellent.
How would the boys react if they knew about her and Draco? They would have to find out sometime. Hermione decided it was better not to think so much about the future, and chose to concentrate on what was going on presently. She made her way up the spiraling staircase toward the Headmaster's office and found Draco already waiting for her.
"Good morning, Headmaster," Hermione greeted Dumbledore, "Malfoy," she nodded toward Draco in a diplomatic manner.
He turned to smile at Hermione subtly, but said "Hello, Granger."
"Quite curious the two of you act toward each other. Please keep in mind I know much more than you may like me to," Dumbledore said with a smirk.
Hermione turned a bright red and set her bag down near her.
"Now, the two of you have been called here for certain reasons. It may seem like quite a burden at the moment, but later on I'm sure you will benefit of it," Dumbledore continued.
'I smell a new assignment,' Draco thought. 'Oh well, at least I get to work with Hermione.'
Dumbledore was observing Draco with a twinkle in his eye, as if reading his thoughts. Draco shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
"Sometime later this term, perhaps a bit before your NEWTs, I'd like for the two of you to do a bit of research. Call it a project, if you may."
'Knew it,' Draco thought to himself dully.
"I find that the results of this research will be extremely important in the near future," Dumbledore gazed at the pair, "and future events will be much easier to bear with a bit of preparing."
"Professor," Hermione said, "what exactly do you mean by 'future events'?"
Dumbledore grinned. "That will be for you to determine, Miss Granger. For the time being, you will be better off with just the information I am about to give you."
Hermione and Draco found themselves listening closely. A matter that seemed to involve the two of them was about to be discussed.
"Your may wonder how current things came to be," Dumbledore began.
The two glanced at each other. No matter how brilliant Dumbledore was, he never ceased to amaze the pair. How did he know so much?
"I would like you to research as much as you can find on Inter-House Relationships, especially between the Houses Gryffindor and Slytherin. There is a very important matter regarding this subject that you may find quite shocking. However, I'm sure you must realize I had my reasons for appointing you both Head Boy and Girl, correct?"
Hermione nodded, dumbstruck.
"Well then, I would like you both to get started some time in early April, perhaps late March if you prefer. Until then, I believe I have supplied you both with enough information needed to begin," he added, once again gazing at the two with a twinkle in his clear blue eyes, "You are dismissed. Good day to both of you."
Draco and Hermione quickly got up to go and hurried down the stairs. Draco stopped at the door.
He whispered, "How the bloody hell does he do it? That old coot seems to know everything!"
Hermione gave him a stern look.
Just then, Dumbledore's voice sounded from the office. "Yes, this 'old coot' wonders how he does it, too."
Although she could not see his face, Hermione could tell Dumbledore was grinning. Draco's eyes were wide with confusion. She burst out laughing.
---
A/N: Whoo, hope you liked the rather quick update?
Just some notes:
-The whole password for their dorm is a running joke between my beta Camille and I, so it was her idea (as an Anime obsessive).
-For anyone who was wondering, I know Draco said in his note that the Gryffindor's had booked the Pitch for practice, but they were able to practice later.
-Ah. I forgot what else I was going to say. I'll remember it sometime while I'm reading tonight. Even though it's 11:40. I'll shut up now :)
Alright, now for the thank-yous…
NikoleMalfoy: As we all do! Haha, thanks! Glad you like it :)
SophieL: Whoo thanks! Hope you keep reading!
dracosgirl2515: Yeah. She's definitely a bitch. Haha, wait till you see what she does. LMFAO.LMFAO THAT WAS FUNNY. Hehe, don't worry, nothing bad happens…yet. Pansy may be a bitch, but she's not that stupid. WAITING FOR THE NEXT CHAPPY IN YOUR FIC THOUGH. UPPPDATTEEE. :)
natty123: Hehe, that's usually the length of them though. Not too long, but not dreadfully short? Yeah, she'll be pretty evil. You'll see :)
sugar n spice 522: Nope :- Aw, all good things must come to an end, right? Well, at least there will be a sequel! Glad you're enjoying it, my other faithful reviewer!! :)
Schmo Rumsicles: LMFAO Lu, -whacks- . That was funny. Haha, yeah, the Queen song :) I've thanked you before, but I'll do it again. SHANKS XD
MJ432: I like that…Pathetic Parkinson…whoo! That's what she is. Haha, glad you like! By the way, I LOVE your Parchment Series and your Confessions Series (along with your other fics!).
Juno Malabre: Thanks! Yes, they are hard to develop because they have to hate each other and work from there. Thanks for R&Ring!
regina-terrae: Thanks!
Ashes: Haha, cool! Glad you decided to read. Aw, really? Thanks :)
xXxRiP2PaCxXx: Lmao, I just heart cliffies –evil grin- Haha, thanks! Your penname reminds me of my friend's pet…she got a ferret and brother named it Tu Pac. Yeah, weird I know, but it just reminded me of it :)
AngelSerpent91: LMAO. Haha, thanks!
Samantha Cameron: Yep. Stupid Pansy. Let's all just smack Pansy. Hah, we'll see what happens….Remember, I like cliffies. –grins evily-
Alas, it is now 12:09 AM, and after one last spell check, I'm uploading this chapter. Whoo.