Chapter 4: Hypocrisy

"Let's get our books, and then we can stop at the Leaky Cauldron and get something to drink or eat."

Hermione agreed and then stopped in front of Flourish and Blotts. As they went inside, there was the library smell of must and dust. Almost as if on cue, the store owner raced up to them excitedly.

"How may I help you young students? Looking for school books are we? What year are you in?"

The two looked at each other and then back at the man. He had made no effort whatsoever to hide his graying hair. His face seemed to droop from age, looking like a basset hound.

"Umm, yes; we're going into our seventh year at school at Hogwarts, and we need our –"

"Oh yes! You need your schooling books for sixth year. Ah yes, follow me!"

Draco and Hermione did as they were told and followed the man to a large shelf full of different types of books. You see, us bookkeepers also get sent a copy of your school supplies. That way, we can prepare for you. It appears by the looks of the list that you won't be taking many classes this year. You took most of your classes in the past five years."

The two weren't sure what to say to him, so they remained silent. Hermione didn't think it was polite to be quiet after all he had said, but even she was a lost for words.

"Ah yes! Here we go..."

The bookkeeper climbed down from the ladder while a handful of books. He walked over to the counter and stacked them in two piles; they were obviously the same books.

"Lucky you! Both of you are in each other's classes!"

Hermione became uneasy. "Err...how do you know that?"

"Why, we get a copy of the list of every student that goes to Hogwarts and what classes they are scheduled to take. I just looked at both of your lists, is all."

Hermione nodded in understanding and looked back at Draco who just shrugged.

Hermione and Draco paid for their books and then thanked the man before exiting the shop.

"It appears that someone had quite a scare while we were in there," Draco joked, smiling.

She glanced at him as she flung her bag of books and other supplies over her shoulder. "What do you mean?"

"Oh come on, Hermione. When he told us that we were in the same classes together, you should have seen the look on your face! Did you think he was psychic or something...?"

Draco didn't look at her, but he heard her laugh softly.

"Oh, that! Well, I didn't know what to think, Draco! None of the professors ever told us that the shops get a copy of our schedules. What was I supposed to think?"

"Maybe they told us but you never paid any attention!"

"Shut up..." Hermione playfully nudged her newfound friend in his ribs.

Suddenly, Draco felt her grab his arm and then hide behind him. He looked around for any sign of what had made her so scared.

"What? What is it?"

Draco Malfoy just heard her squeak before she answered him. "It's him! It's Harry to your left, by the Ice Cream parlor!"

At first he couldn't figure out why she was hiding behind him but then remembered as she clung onto him like she might parish at any second just by walking past them. He stared at Potter, the little boy who had somehow grown up.

Even Draco Malfoy had to give him some credit. His muscles had increased four fold and he was just as tall as Draco. Now he understood why she was scared of him. It was respectable for any woman too at their age and his muscles.

He held out his arm behind him so she could hold it. Draco could tell that it wasn't doing it for her though. The worse thing would be for either any of his friends or any of her friends to see them together. Granted, they weren't a couple, but if their friends saw them at the same place at the same time, then that would be the first thought in their minds. Draco valued his reputation more than anything, considering who his father is. This could bring his father hard down on him.

"Don't let him see me..."

"Shut up, and he won't."

The two casually, and quickly, walked past them but not before one of them could spot Draco. He cursed himself under his breath and turned to her.

"He saw me. Go hide in The Leaky Cauldron and I'll meet you there soon."

Hermione didn't take the time to argue; she quickly ran down the alley and headed towards The Leaky Cauldron, never looking back. Draco, though, wasn't so lucky.

"I see you're still around, Malfoy. Did you have to suck up to your daddy or did you have to join the Death Eaters in order to keep your sorry soul?"

Draco felt his blood begin to boil, but tried to remain calm.

It's just Potter, don't let him get to you. If you two were to fight, both of you would come out bleeding; not just him...

"What, are you too cocky to stand up to me now?"

"If anyone was cocky around here, Potter, I'd say it was you. I've heard a lot of rumors about you, Potty..."

Harry clenched his teeth in rage and looked at Ron, who stood behind him, and Seamus, who looked too defeated to say anything. He turned back to Draco in front of him.

"Is that so, Malfoy? They're called rumors for a reason."

"Is it true that you beat your girlfriends, Potter?"

A few Ravenclaw girls turned around from in front of Quality Quidditch Supplies and looked at Harry Potter with an alarmed expression upon their faces.

Harry walked closer to Draco and then gritted his teeth in anger.

"What...did you say?"

Draco sneered at her. "You heard me crystal clear, Potter," Draco shoved Harry on the ground easily and then placed his right foot on top of his chest. "Now let's get one thing straight. A girl's a girl, no matter what house she's in at Hogwarts. If I hear that you've been laying your hand on another girl, even one, then I swear to god I'll beat the living piss out of you. Do you understand me, Potter?"

Onlookers stared at the scene as the sun beamed down on the two rivals. Harry tried to struggle beneath his foot, but Draco pressed down harder on his chest.

"I said, do you understand me!"

"Yeah, whatever! Get off of me!"

Draco gave him a swift kick to the ribs and turned his heel, walking towards The Leaky Cauldron.

Harry would be dreaming if he didn't think Draco would keep to his word. If there was anyone in this world that he respected, it was women. Of course, he would be a hypocrite if he ever said he never laid a finger on a woman...