Chapter Four: An Unnecessary Spell
A/N: Thanks to everyone for reviewing! Keep them coming. I'm glad you're enjoying my story and hope you'll stay for the chapters to come!
Hermione and Draco held each other's gazes for a few moments. Then, at the same time, they looked away.
"That was pretty rough," spoke up Harry, who had also figured who the voice belonged to.
"Yeah," was all Hermione could reply.
It was obvious that Draco's father had sent Hermione the howler. Draco's face had revealed it all. Hermione wondered why Draco's father wouldn't want her to be with his son. She guessed that Lucius wanted his son to marry a pureblood, wealthy witch. He wanted to keep the bloodline flowing. Hermione of course, was a mere muggle born witch and her parents were ordinary dentists with incomes that surely were not as high as the Malfoys. This disheartened Hermione's hopes of ever making amends with Draco.
Draco knew that voice. He knew his father's cold, steely voice. His father always demanded so much of him, more than he was capable of. He wanted him to have good grades, excel in extracurricular activities and carry on the family honour. Worst of all, he wanted him to cancel all relations with Hermione. He figured that wouldn't be too hard, but just the thought of it made him feel awful. This set Draco and Hermione much further apart from each other.
When breakfast ended, everyone had forgotten about the howler, and were setting off for their next lessons. Hermione watched as Draco trudged to his own class. Then she set off to her own. Josh, Harry and Ron were still with her, her two best friends standing a bit of a distance away from Josh. He had a mixture of expressions on his face. He seemed to be smiling apologetically in a way that meant to be caring, yet he appeared to be smirking at the same time. Josh held out his hand and Hermione took it, and they headed off to Defence Against the Dark Arts together. She took his hand because there was no point. Draco was out of sight, and she was supposed to keep away from him. Still, she did not want to become a couple with Josh and never brought it up. She just wanted to be with him as close friends. There was no harm in holding his hand, right?
Just as the Gryffindor students were seated in Charms, Professor McGonagall appeared at the entrance to the classroom.
"Hello Filius, could Hermione Granger and Josh Wordsworth please come to my office," asked McGonagall.
"Yes, of course," squeaked Professor Flitwick.
Hermione and Josh looked at each other nervously and wondered why they would have to see the Gryffindor Head Teacher together. They rose, held hands and walked with McGonagall to her office. Hermione started thinking of several things. Hermione didn't think she was in trouble as she hadn't done anything. Maybe she and Josh would be sent on an assignment- together! This prospect was somewhat exciting, but then again she began to feel guilty about Draco. Hermione looked at McGonagall, who looked back with raised eyebrows at the Josh and Hermione holding hands.
When they were inside McGonagall's office, Hermione didn't expect anyone else to be there. Draco and Professor Snape were already seated in front of McGonagall's desk. Why in the world would Draco be there too? Hermione wondered.
"Please, sit," McGonagall waved her wand and two chairs filed into the room. Once they were all seated, McGonagall began speaking again. "I have been advised by certain intelligence that you, Mr. Wordsworth, has concocted a love potion for Miss Granger."
Hermione gasped. It couldn't be, could it?
"I- I..." stumbled Josh. He then said loudly but with a hint of apprehension in his voice, "I'm a charmer not a potion maker! I would only ever resort to my human charms."
McGonagall rolled her eyes, but Snape spoke up first. "You can't deny it, we have the evidence. However, you are not the only one who has performed such a prohibited action," Snape continued. "Mr. Malfoy?"
"Yes, I have," said Draco with a blank face.
"Miss Granger, excuse me," McGonagall pointed her wand at Hermione. She began to feel a warm feeling flow through her and then leave suddenly, causing her to choke. Hermione looked at her hand which was holding Josh's and quickly let go of his hand as if it had burnt her skin. What had gotten into her?
"With that out of the way, I'd like to ask you about what you have been feeling for the past few weeks?" McGonagall asked.
"Um well... Draco and I were going out and we were... in love." It felt awkward telling such a teacher about her love life. "But then I began developing funny feelings for Josh. From then on I was confused who I wanted to be with Draco, or Josh."
"Technically, Mr. Malfoy, the love potion you carried out was not a love potion at all," said Snape, "Did you see your concoction have any result?"
"No sir," said Malfoy quietly.
"Ah. This is because Miss. Granger's deepest feelings were for you and not Mr. Wordsworth. Therefore her love rendered your love potion to nil because it was pointless." Snape explained.
"It has therefore come to my decision that you, Mr. Wordsworth, must leave Hogwarts immediately. You are expelled," said McGonagall with a finalistic tone.
"But... I haven't even packed my bags," said Josh meekly. "What about Draco?"
"Mr. Malfoy, as your Head of House, I advise you never to attempt a love potion again," said Snape to Draco.
"That's all?" asked Draco.
"Yes," said McGonagall. "Mr. Wordsworth, I have your belongings packed away already," McGonagall gestured to a two suitcases on the floor. "Malfoy, Granger, you may go now."
Outside McGonagall's office, Draco and Hermione stood in front of each other both looking at their feet.
"Shall we go for a walk?" Draco finally offered.
"Yes," was all Hermione said softly.
They didn't know where they were heading, but they found themselves walking outside, on the grassy lawns of Hogwarts. They walked in silence until-
"Draco," Hermione started.
"Hermione," Draco began at the same time.
"You go first," laughed Draco.
"Okay," Hermione giggled. "Draco, I'm really sorry. I acted like such an idiot."
"No, I did. I shouldn't have been such a jerk," said Draco.
"Okay, we were both stupid," Hermione smiled.
They're faces were drawing closer, but then at the same time they pulled apart.
"Sorry, I can't," Draco then said looking away, "I... I'm too busy with... stuff."
"Yeah... I'm too busy with schoolwork," Hermione made up a feeble excuse.
"No... I'm not being honest, and I know you're not too," Draco admitted. "The thing is, I'm scared that my father will do something to get between us."
"Yeah, I'm worried that I'll cause tension for you and your father," explained Hermione.
"Maybe we should just cool things off for awhile," suggested Draco.
"It should be for the best," agreed Hermione.
The two figures embraced in the sunset and then departed for their dormitories.
From then on, they put a halt to almost all contact. There was an occasional smile or nod in the hallways, but they only spoke when necessary. Draco and Hermione kept to their word and tried to keep busy with their schoolwork and extracurricular activities. Yet they could not stop thinking about each other. They studied better when they were a couple. They would help each other with schoolwork and when studying was over, they had each other. They had their friends to give them encouragement. However, Draco and Hermione being friends, no, as acquaintances, it was heart wrenching that they could be something more, but it seemed everything in the world was stopping them.
