Chapter 3
"Today, class, we are going to be working with some very dangerous plants. These," Professor Sprout unveiled a plant, "are Stentius possatum, more commonly known as Biting Cactus."
The plant was rather sinister looking. It was shaped like a cactus, but that was where the resemblance ended. Instead of spines, it had thin, rounded acid green growths poking out of its blazing orange body. It had highlighter-blue teeth in a wide, ugly mouth. The students stared apprehensively.
"Now, we are going to be cleaning the Biting Cacti today. You see these little black spots? They're the beginnings of mold. We don't want that, these are very valuable plants. So everyone get a pair of gloves, some cleaning solution, a bucket of water, and a sponge. And for Merlin's sake, be careful! You snap one of these spines and they will bite. Their venom is mildly poisonous. Now, get to work!" said Professor Sprout.
The class hurried about, gathering their supplies. Finally, when everyone was positioned, Harry, Ron, and Hermione continued their conversation.
"I'm still suspicious of Malfoy," said Hermione.
"Well, with good reason. I'm always suspicious of Malfoy. He hates us," Harry replied conversationally.
"But I made him really mad, that one time in the common room. He probably wants revenge for being humiliated," said Hermione.
"What's he gonna do? Hit a girl?" asked Ron, chuckling.
"Wouldn't put it past him," snorted Harry.
"You two are infuriating! Can't we just have one serious conversation!" snapped Hermione. She got up to refill her bucket.
Just as Hermione was getting up, Lavender Brown was coming to sit back down. She tripped over a hose and grabbed onto Hermione. Hermione in turn lost her balance and fell backwards, knocking over her Biting Cactus. The table watched in shocked silence. A spine had snapped. Suddenly, the plant sprang up and latched onto Hermione's arm. Ron seized it and pulled it off.
"Oh dear! I told you to be careful! Are you alright, Ms. Granger? The bite is small, and the venom is slow moving. Do you want someone to go to the hospital wing with you?" asked Professor Sprout fretfully.
"No, no. That's okay, I can make it by myself," Hermione replied.
"I'm so sorry Hermione! I really didn't mean to! I tripped! Do you hate me? I'm sorry!" Lavender wailed.
"No, it's okay. Of course I don't hate you, it was an accident. Well…I better get going," Hermione said. She started up to the castle, her arm already numb. It wasn't really painful, just tingly. She reached the castle doors without incident, and started going up the stairs to the fourth floor.
On the second floor, Hermione started feeling light-headed and her ears started ringing. Halfway up the third floor stairs, everything started spinning, Hermione lost her balance. She reached out for the railing, but it wasn't there. Her vision flipped upside down, she was falling, tumbling through the air…a sharp pain in her head, and everything went black.
Draco Malfoy was having a nice little laugh at his Muggle Studies teacher. She was so gullible. He just told her he had to go to the bathroom, but the one on their floor was flooded. Just like that, an extra five minutes while he had to go to the third floor. He didn't even want to take Muggle Studies, but his father had forced him.
"It's important to understand your inferiors," he told him constantly. Draco had never asked why. You don't question Lucius Malfoy.
Malfoy was strolling along, lost in thought, when he heard a series of thumps and then a loud THUD. It sounded like it came from the stairs. He went over to see what had happened. He leaned over the railing and saw…a person. It was a girl, with honey-colored curls splayed across her face. Malfoy rushed down the stairs. He reached the girl and turned her over. It was Hermione Granger. Malfoy panicked.
"Granger! Granger! Hermione! Are you okay? Wake up!" he hissed, shaking her. She didn't respond. Malfoy slid his arms under her head and legs and carried her up the stairs.
By the time he reached the top of the stairs, Malfoy was breathing heavily. He stopped to rest for a minute. Hermione's eyes fluttered open.
"What-? Where-? MALFOY!" Hermione practically jumped out of his arms. She stumbled and grabbed the rail, blushing furiously.
"Um…what happened?" she asked.
"Well, um, I was, uh, going to the, um, bathroom, and I, um, heard a crash so, uh, I went to see what it, um, was. Then, I, uh, found you, um, lying there, so, I um, carried you, um, up here because…um…well…" stuttered Malfoy, avoiding her eyes.
"It's okay. You don't have to make excuses," Hermione said, "I guess I'll, um, go now…"
"Alright. Do you, uh, want me to, um, walk with you?" he asked. Please say no, please say no! He thought.
"No, that's okay…I can make it," Hermione walked away, swayed a little, and grabbed a statue. "I'm just a bit light-headed.
"Okay, I'll walk with you then," Malfoy offered. They strolled the rest of the was in silence. Hermione disappeared into the infirmary and Malfoy went back to Muggle Studies.
Hermione's thoughts: Oh. My. Goodness. What just happened! Was Malfoy actually nice to me? He carried me! I can't believe it! Why? How? And for a minute there, was that…concern in his eyes! No, it couldn't be. He probably didn't want to be blamed for what happened. Yes, that must be it. He hates me, he could care less if I was hurt. All he cares about is himself. Yes, that's it…but he looked so cute. Wait! Stop that this instant! Get a hold of yourself, Hermione?
Malfoy's thoughts: Damn it! You are a moron, Draco! How could you do that! Malfoy's don't care! They're never concerned! Why did you do that? But…she was so helpless…like a little puppy. SHUT UP! First concern, now puppies! Stop it! YOU ARE A MALFOY! Now start acting like one! Granger is a Mudblood! A rather attractive one, but- NO! STOP THAT! Mudbloods are not attractive! You fool!
Another chapter finished…. Come on people. I need reviews! You don't get the next chapter until I get at least 15 reviews…maybe twenty. Thank you to all the people who already reviewed! R+R:)
