Bonding 4

In which the ahem relationship is made public.

A/N: Well it's been a while. I know I update very erratically. I shall try to work on that aspect; yes it's an unfortunate flaw of mine.

I always think I have a problem with the flow of the story. It just seems weird connecting all the little bits I have written into one compact chapter. If you notice something please tell me so I can fix it.

Man I talk too much.

Anyway I'm sure you'll want to get cracking reading my brand new spankin' chapter! So here it is, in all its glory… coughs

XxX

Draco resumed his normal "I don't give a damn what a worthless mudblood thinks" mode the morning after the incident. What quite possessed him to (he cringed just at the thought) actually kiss her, he didn't quite know.

Even though it was very amusing watching her squirm around beforehand, that did not quite justify his actions afterwards.

But nevertheless, the deal would get Pansy and his mother off his back, and he would also have the pleasure of watching the Golden Duo's relationship with each other (now that Hermione seemed out of the picture) deteriorate.

That was always enjoyable, no matter what Draco's mood was like.

And seeing as how he was supposed to be helping Dumbledore and his blasted Horcrux, he shouldn't really still think that way of the headmaster's second favourite student. (After all, Potty wasn't the "Golden Boy" for nothing).

But that's beside the point, isn't it.

'What's this? Draco Malfoy developing a conscience?' he muttered softly to himself, distractedly running his hand through his hair.

An impatient knock announced Hermione's presence outside his door.

'Hurry UP Malfoy, we're supposed to be making a grand entrance at breakfast if you recall.' Her annoyed voice broke through his newfound conscience.

'I actually take an interest in my personal hygiene, unlike you, and therefore I need time in the mornings to prepare myself.' Draco replied huffily, imagining a spear at Hermione's head. If only imaginations could come true…

'You've got 5 minutes, and then I'm leaving. And remember, YOU were the one who offered me the deal, and I'd like to see you stick to your word."

'Fine.' Came the curt response.

'Oh, and keep your muttering to yourself at a minimum, thank you very much.' and with that, Hermione left behind a reasonably embarrassed Draco.

XxX

Harry stabbed moodily at his toast.

Ron tackled the crumpet with an unmatchable ferocity.

Ginny sat next to Harry with a tight lipped expression.

Neville was so bewildered at the silence he just sat there and tried to think.

'Er…' Seamus tentatively offered.

One steely glance from Ginny was enough to suppress whatever he had wanted to say.

A few more silent moments passed, and then the muteness of the Gryffindor table was joined by the rest of the houses.

The only noise came from the teacher's table, with Professors Flitwick and McGonagoll having a rather heated discussion on whose subject was more useful. Naturally the teachers were occupied with this, with Professor Vector even joining in.

However even Ron had the decency to stop stuffing himself to look up and notice what had caused the sudden stillness.

Harry's mouth hung open, his green eyes widened until it seemed like they couldn't possibly be any bigger.

There, in front of everybody's eyes to see, were sworn enemies, Hermione Granger of Gryffindor and Draco Malfoy of Slytherin talking animatedly as if they had been the closest of friends for years.

The even worse thing was, he had his arm snaked possessively around Hermione's shoulders. And she didn't even seem to mind. At all.

And then came the final blow. Completely ignoring the Gryffindor table, Hermione went and perched herself next to Draco. At his table.

Let's go back a few minutes…

'Don't you ever find the need to tidy your hair? It's disgusting the way you just let it flop around,' Hermione voiced the opinion which had irritated her ever since she saw Draco that morning.

'I happen to know that it is a refined hairstyle, and the girls seem to go crazy for it.' Draco replied smugly. 'Not that you should be worrying about my hair, with a mop like that for yours.'

Hermione's eyes sparkled angrily. 'Oh, my hair's not bad, and you know it.'

After all, she had discovered a very useful charm that slightly tamed her hair. It was no longer frizzy, but fell down to her shoulders in haphazardly placed curls.

Draco raised his eyebrow, making it obvious he didn't think so.

When they approached the great hall, they unwillingly stepped closer and Draco put his arm around Hermione's waist for greater impact.

'Here we go,' breathed Hermione nervously.

'What's this? The mudb- brain box nervous?' Draco hastily improvised, remembering almost too late the conditions of their agreement.

'I'm NOT nervous!' Hermione stated loudly, then added with a glare; 'and I am certainly not a mudbrainbox, whatever that is.'

'Sure you're not.' Draco replied scathingly. She threw him a dirty look.

The great hall ceased talking as they entered. 'See,' hissed Hermione venomously, almost tripping over her own shoes. 'I told you that you took way too long! Everyone's here!'

Brushing off their peers' unabashed stares easily; Draco tightened his grip on her shoulders. 'I thought that was the point, Granger.'

Her mouth failed to form any words. Hermione, by force of habit, headed automatically towards the Gryffindor table.

Draco immediately roughly steered her towards his table instead. 'I thought we'd discussed this already, that it will be better to sit with the Slytherins.'

Seeing her incredulous expression, he added. 'Oh come on, it's not like we are cannibals and we bite or anything. That's just a myth.'

The expression intensified. 'Yeah. Right.'

'Fine. I promise you nothing is going to happen to you! Now will you come already, we're supposed to be acting like a couple.' Draco heavily emphasized the last word.

Hermione, not quite convinced, walked to the table alongside Draco anyway. She was very aware of his arm around her but he dropped it as soon as they sat down.

Before she had a chance to fully absorb the evil glares the Slytherins were sending her, a small figure from the table stood up.

Pansy walked, stormy faced, up to Hermione before giving her a stinging slap. 'Just what do you think you're doing with MY boyfriend, mudblood?' She spat, eyes narrowing. 'Why don't you go back to your worthless table and sit next to Potty like the dirt you are!'

Hermione quickly processed the fact that Pansy had slapped her, and then had the gall to insult her. Fuming, Hermione reached up and grabbed a fist of her hair yanking as hard as she could.

'Oooh,' gasped the onlookers. A catfight was about to ensue. Popcorn anyone?

Pansy screeched and dug her nail into Hermione's cheek. She in turn swung her legs over the seat and sent Pansy crashing down onto the stone floor.

'Ahhh,' sighed the onlookers.

Blood started dripping down Pansy's shin. She took one look at it and opened her mouth to scream.

'YOU'LL PAY, BITCH! HOW DARE YOU TOUCH ME!' she cried loudly, trying to get up to take another swipe at Hermione and ignoring the fact that she herself was trying to touch her.

'YOU TOUCHED ME FIRST SO DON'T TRY BLAMING IT ON ME!' Hermione backfired furiously.

Draco smirked. Hermione was getting her logical side back.

Just as Hermione realized that they were witches and were pulling out her wand to hex Pansy into who knows where, a strong hand gripped her shoulder.

'Now now, my Head Girl, we don't want any trouble on your flawless records do we?'

Startled, she spun around and immediately lost her balance. This time though, it was Draco who stopped her from falling.

Malfoy doesn't look too good, she thought frowning. His already pale face had become ashen, and his eyes looked really troubled. Funny, you would have thought he'd be used to this stuff by now.

Dumbledore then spoke again. 'Miss Granger, would you please accompany Mr. Malfoy and me up to my office. Blaise, you won't mind escorting Miss Parkinson to the Hospital Wing do you?'

Pansy had calmed down considerably at the appearance of the Headmaster, and now leaned heavily against Blaise as she limped out of the hall. The black haired heartbreaker was soon followed by a gaggle of 4th year girls.

XxX

Ginny pulled a sour face, watching Blaise and Pansy leave from across the hall. She used to have a little thing for Blaise. Well not anymore, she thought regretfully.

Harry bit back a snigger, watching the little spectacle had really eased up the tension. 'Ron, don't you think Malfoy was SCARED by the little catfight our Hermione and Pansy had?'

'Well, he is looking a lot whiter than he usually does,' Ron commented, with unusual thoughtfulness.

'Oh well. Who cares, we'll get him later.' Ginny said flippantly.

'Did you see the look on Pansy's face when Hermione got her? Priceless! I'm going to…' Harry faltered off at the topic of Hermione.

Dean decided to contribute to the conversation. 'Don't you think you should make up with her already? I mean it's not like you guys to fall out over a silly argument- Hermione's allowed to like who she likes.'

'But-' Ginny flared up. Only Harry, Ron and she knew the real truth about the so-called "engagement" of Hermione's. Though, judging from how she and Malfoy acted around each other, Ginny was actually starting to believe it.

XxX

The headmaster looked worriedly at Draco. Reaching out to touch him with his ancient hand, the boy doubled over in pain and collapsed to the floor.

XxX

Silence. Nothing except for the steady drip of water somewhere.

Draco was floating… there was a dark figure blocking out the only source of light in the room.

Obviously it was inhabitable- the mustiness and the cobwebs proved that. In the flickering candlelight, a scream echoed.

'AHHHHHHH! NO, PLEASE, NOT THAT!'

And even though Draco tried hard to find out the source of the anguished voice, his unearthly body would not obey.

'You will pay, for all that you have committed,' a new voice boomed. It was so familiar, yet Draco could not place it.

The figure moved suddenly. In the dim candlelight, he could see a pair of eyes glistening with tears. They turned on him suddenly, and whispered.

'Look into your past. The answers li-'

Draco's eyes flew open.

XxX

Yep. I finally finished another chapter! Thank you to those who gave up your time to review my last chapter, I appreciate you very much.

Until next time! Drop a review for meh, pretty please?

Big hug for y'all!