Chapter Six
Eternal Knowledge
Later that week Hermione had resorted to making lists of whom she was considering being her first. Draco had brought a stack of parchment to one of their rounds to help. "I have tons of this Granger and I was going to throw it out. I know you'll put it to good use." She had jotted down pro's and con's of each possible suiter on the parchment in hopes to identify the right one. She was having a terrible time as most of the boys at the school weren't intriguing to her in any way. She was sitting outside the Quidditch Pitch before the Gryffindor vs. Slytherin match that afternoon. Harry, Ginny, and Ron had just entered the changing rooms and Hermione didn't yet feel like climbing the stands as the match wasn't scheduled to start for thirty minutes.
Just as she crumpled up her list of top qualities of Fred and George she heard a deep comforting voice behind her. "Come to get my Autograph Granger?"
She turned around and smiled. "Yes as a matter of fact." She playfully smoothed out the parchment and turned it over but not before Draco raised his eyebrow and laughed at the names on it. Draco blocked her view as he scribbled something on the parchment. He folded it up and handed it to her shyly. Hermione blushed. "Thank you."
"Anytime." He whispered as she placed it in her jeans pocket. They smiled and stared for a few moments. Hermione enjoyed the sight of him in his Quidditch uniform as Draco admired her sparkling eyes. He finally cleared his throat and shifted his broom nervously from one hand to the other. "So how are you and Zabini getting on?"
"Not at all actually." Hermione spoke casually.
Draco attempted to sound shocked. "Why ever not? Surely he's interested in you!"
"Well I guess I just don't consider him worthy of my first time….Believe it or not, I've been rather picky."
"You Granger? Picky?"
Hermione laughed and then carefully examined the earth below in embarrassment. "Well when I first came up with the idea, I figured I'd make a quick decision and be done with it by now. But now I can't seem to decide who is the perfect person. Oh it's all just so important! I just can't decide!"
"Vot do you need to decide?" Viktor said from a distance.
Hermione's eyes widened as her face turned pale. Draco looked behind her and saw Viktor walking swiftly towards them. Hermione forced a smile and turned around. "Viktor darling! How wonderful!" She ran to him and allowed him to embrace her. He eyed Draco suspiciously and then released Hermione.
"I said, vot do you need to decide Hermioninny? Vy are you here….Vith him?" Draco began to open his mouth to respond but stopped noticing the fear in her eyes.
Hermione spoke in a much higher tone than usual as Viktor led her back to Draco. "Oh Viktor, well you see….I was asking Malfoy what I should give you for your birthday…"
"Vy ask him? You are not friends." Viktor spat.
"Uh…Well you're right about that darling…" Hermione said nervously with a smile.
Draco shook his head angrily. "But she knows we used to be Krum….Or have you forgotten?"
"I haf not forgotten….You know she is vith me?" Viktor said with a slightly more friendly tone.
"Of course I know she's with you! She never stops talking about you!" Draco spat. Viktor smiled and kissed Hermione on the cheek. She smiled back falsely causing Draco's anger to increase. "You've definitely left your mark on her…That's for sure."
Viktor frowned and released Hermione who practically fainted at Draco's comment. "Vot that mean?"
Hermione grasped Viktor's hand quickly and laughed loudly.. "It means that I'm head over heels for you darling. Malfoy, you've been very helpful….Now I'm begging you….Don't let Viktor know about our conversation. I want it to be a surprise."
Draco nodded furiously and walked off. Viktor kissed Hermione once more completely oblivious to the many hidden messages in the conversation. He guided her up the stands where they sat and talked waiting for the match to begin.
As the players took the pitch, Hermione's stomach flipped when she caught sight of Draco's green and silver robes flapping behind him in the wind. Viktor was being aggressively interviewed by the Creevey brothers so Hermione felt safe enough to keep her eyes on him. He flew close to where she was sitting and looked rapidly around for the snitch. She admired his soft hair flowing freely in the breeze and bit her lip absentmindedly. He quickly turned his head and noticed her smiling at him. He winked flirtatiously which immediately made her blush. He decided to float in that exact spot for a bit waiting to catch a glimpse of the snitch.
Just then, Neville had scooted next to Hermione and placed his hand on her shoulder. "It's terribly cold out isn't it? I'm going back to the common room for my cloak. Can I get you yours?"
Hermione smiled and shook her head as Neville stood and used her shoulder as a way of pushing himself onto the next row of seats. Hermione smiled to herself thinking about how sweet Neville always was to her. Just then she felt someone staring at her. She turned her head to find a fuming Viktor. "Who vas that?"
She smiled. "Neville…He's in my house. We've been friends since first year." She realized that Viktor was infuriated so she tried desperately to convince him that Neville was just her friend. "Oh Viktor, you mustn't think anything bad of Neville. He's harmless. He's just always been that nice to me. If Ginny had been here, he would have asked to get her cloak too."
"Vy he not know that if you are cold then I vill get your cloak?" Viktor violently grabbed Hermione's arm and squeezed hard causing silent tears to seep from her eyes. She looked around nervously to ensure no one in the stands was watching. Everyone around her was intensely watching the game or cheering loudly. The pain in her arm and the fact that so many people were around made her nasceaus.
She became paler than before as she tried to wipe away her tears with her unrestrained arm. She spoke hoarsely. "Viktor, he probably didn't see you. Neville would never do anything to interfere with our relationship. He knows and respects that we are together…I promise."
Just then Viktor squeezed harder causing her to sob silently into her hand. He suddenly jerked her arm out of his grasp and whispered. "He vill not touch you anymore. I vill see to it."
Draco had seen enough. He grabbed a bat out of his fellow beaters hand and hit a bludger right into Viktor's direction. He smiled to himself as Viktor grasped his broken and bleeding nose. No one in the stands noticed where the bludger had come from. The only person who actually saw Draco send the bludger Viktor's way was his team mate who shrugged happily and flew away. Hermione tried to help Viktor but he smacked her hand away and darted down the stands towards the hospital wing without her.
Hermione met eyes with Draco who gave her a concerned look gesturing to her arm. She shook her head as more tears began to fall. She lowered her head in shame after she mouthed. "Thank you."
Draco sighed and flew away looking for the snitch. Hermione stood and headed for the hospital wing. She knew Viktor would expect her to be there even though he wouldn't accept her help in front of everyone. Just before she reached the steps she heard an uproar of cheering as someone had just caught the snitch.
As she sat and watched Madam Pomfrey bandage Viktor's nose, she tried to think up someway to keep Neville out of harm's way. Just then the doors to the wing flew open revealing a very dirty and sweaty Draco and Blaise still in their Quidditch uniforms. Blaise pushed Draco forward as Draco protested cradling his arm carefully. Blaise sighed and shouted. "He rammed his arm into one of the stands Madam Pomfrey. He says it's fine but I say it's broken. We can't win the next game with a one armed seeker."
"I see…Take a seat Mr. Malfoy! I will be with you in a moment. Alright Mr. Krum, you're as good as new." Madam Pomfrey said as Viktor bowed to her. Blaise left the wing with a satisfied expression.
Viktor walked over to Draco sitting on a bed who hadn't noticed they were even there. Madam Pomfrey hurried away to her office to find the necessary items to heal Draco. Viktor cleared his throat loudly. "You are still vith Pansy yes?"
Draco looked his way in shock and gave a irritated frown. "Not if I can help it, no."
"You say ve ver friends." Viktor gave a curious look.
"What's on your mind Krum?" Draco asked impatiently.
Viktor nodded. "I vant you to look after Hermioninny for me."
Draco stifled a smile. "Who?"
"Hermioninny."
"Never heard of her." Draco said as he looked away preventing another smile. Hermione couldn't help but chuckle to herself as Draco refused to give in.
Viktor became frustrated and yanked Hermione by the arm causing her to yelp. He shoved her in front of Draco. "Hermioninny! I vant you to look after her for me. She gets into trouble sometimes. Talks to many boys I'm sure. You tell me if she misbehaves von't you? Be there if she needs something yes?"
Draco looked into Hermione's fearful eyes and glared at the painful hold Viktor had on her. "Why don't you let her go so we can talk about this properly. I can't concentrate with her looking so terrified." Viktor released her as Draco stood and paced the room. "You want me to make sure she doesn't talk to any other boys. Look out for her if she needs anything? You want me to make sure no harm comes to her?"
"Yes. I cannot be here to keep her happy ven I am so far away. She vants to stay here and I'm thinking it is best….For now. If you ver to vatch her for me, I vould know she vas taken care of." Viktor said.
Hermione looked back and forth between the two men making arrangements for her safe keeping. Draco looked at Hermione pondering the request. He nodded and crossed his arms. "I can do that for an old friend Krum. Consider her taken care of."
Viktor nodded politely and turned to Hermione. "Remember, I vill be back in a few veeks Hermioninny. You are to go to him if you need anything before then. You vill do vat he says. If that Neville bothers you again, you vill tell him. Do you understand?"
Hermione nodded as Viktor kissed her cheek. He walked out of the hospital wing just as Madam Pomfrey exited her office. As she began to heal Draco's arm he smiled widely and mischievously at Hermione.
She absentmindedly rubbed her injured arm as she stared at him in confusion.
"You may want to inspect her arm as well Madam Pomfrey." Draco said quickly.
Madam Pomfrey looked at Hermione who began to fidget. "Your arm is injured again my dear? How is it that you have suffered so many injuries and you don't even play Quidditch?"
Hermione's cheeks turned pink as she searched for words. Draco sighed. "She won't admit it Madam but I think she needs glasses. She can't see things that are right in front of her face. Sometimes I wonder if she's blind."
Madam Pomfrey clicked her tongue as she inspected Hermione's arm carefully. "Those look like finger marks dear…Why-"
"I was so cold at the match that I was grasping a hold of my arms for warmth. I should have worn my cloak." Hermione said quickly.
"Yes well, try not to press so had next time. You've broken several blood vessels. You must be very strong." Madam Pomfrey healed Hermione quickly and scurried them both out of the wing.
As they stood outside the hospital wing Draco bent back to stretch his tightening muscles. Hermione twirled her hair nervously as she bit her bottom lip. Draco sighed and grabbed her chin. "I'd quit doing that if I were you. Otherwise I may have to make all those lists you've worked so hard on obsolete."
"Quit doing what exactly?" Hermione asked as she looked at him.
Draco smiled and rubbed his thumb gently over her bottom lip. "That. It drives me crazy and if I'm going to have to be looking after you than you'll need to be as unattractive as possible."
Hermione's cheeks reddened. "I didn't even notice I was doing that. But what do you mean? Surely you're not going to do as Viktor asked….Are you?"
Draco nodded with his mouth wide open in disbelief. "You bet I am! The idiot gave me full access to his girlfriend…I'm to look after you, give you anything you need, keep you away from other boys, and keep you out of harm's way. What bloke in their right mind wouldn't take advantage of that?"
"Is that what this is about? Taking advantage of what seems to be a perfect situation for you? And by the way, that's not exactly what Viktor said-"
"Close enough if you ask me! But no Granger, I'm not going to take advantage of you. Don't you realize I've had plenty of opportunities to do that in the past and haven't? Believe it or not, I'm not the bad guy in this situation….Your arm yanking, neck choking, lip splitting boyfriend is." Draco said hatefully.
Hermione crossed her arms and walked away but was stopped short at the sight of Neville walking towards her with a bloody nose. She ran to him and screamed. "Neville! What happened?"
Neville shrugged and spoke nasally. "I'm not sure. Viktor Krum just walked up to me and punched me right in my nose. Maybe he mistook me for someone else. I should see Madam Pomfrey Hermione."
"Yes Neville, of course. Let me know if you need anything." She led him to the door and closed it behind him. She turned around with her eyes closed and breathed deeply. "This is all my fault. I should have warned Neville about Viktor's temper. But how was I to know that anyone would consider poor defenseless Neville a threat? He's so sweet, sensitive, and innocent. He wouldn't harm anyone. He's always been so wonderful to me….I know just how to make it up to him."
Draco's jaw dropped. "You're-going-to-shag-Neville-Longbottom? Neville…Neville Longbottom?"
Hermione shrugged indifferently. "I didn't even consider him before. He's just perfect! He would never do anything to hurt me and would never expect more than I was willing to give. I owe it to him don't I? Look what I caused to happen to him!"
Draco shook his head and gently placed his hands on her shoulders. "Look Granger, I don't' know how you muggle-borns do it where you come from but this is not the way to apologize or make it up to him…You don't even need to apologize! You didn't do anything wrong! Krum's the one who did it….Not you."
"I know Malfoy, but I just feel terrible and-"
"Imagine how terrible you'll feel once you discover that Longbottom's no better in the sack than in Potions, Transfiguration, or any other subject they teach at this blasted school! You wanted your first time to be perfect and yet you call upon the school failure to do the deed."
"He's not a failure! He's my friend and he's simply wonderful!" Hermione cried as she turned her back on Draco.
He placed his hands on her shoulders again and whispered from behind. "I'm sorry Granger. Long bottom's a good bloke. It's none of my business. Good luck with him."
Draco walked away leaving Hermione pacing outside the door nervously. After a few minutes Neville walked out and smiled widely at Hermione. "All fixed…." Neville looked around curiously. "Were you….Were you waiting…for me?"
Hermione smiled softly and took his hand in hers. "Of course I was. I wanted to make sure you were okay. Viktor shouldn't have punched you Neville. You didn't deserve it. I'm so sorry."
Neville squeezed her hand and grinned. "Thanks but you don't need to apologize. It wasn't your fault Hermione. I'm sure Viktor just had a bad day or something."
Hermione hugged him tightly. "You're such a wonderful person Neville. You've always been such a great friend to me."
Neville gave a confused look. "Th-thanks. Shall we go to the common room then?"
Hermione blushed. "I was thinking the Astronomy Tower….We could talk or something?"
Neville stepped back and eyed Hermione suspiciously. "Why?"
"Why not?" Hermione said innocently as she circled her finger on his arm.
Neville grabbed her hand softly and squeezed it. "Are you feeling alright Hermione?"
"I've never been better. Can't two friends just go talk in the Astronomy Tower?"
Neville shook his head and swallowed hard as Hermione leaned in to kiss him. Just as she was about to connect with his lips, Neville stepped back. "Hermione, this isn't right. You're my friend….Aren't you?"
"That's why it's right Neville. We're very good friends." Hermione said as she attempted to kiss him again.
Neville stepped back again and smacked his head on an axe hanging on the wall. As he grasped the back of his head he chewed at the side of his mouth. "Hermione, I don't know what's going on right now but we're just friends. And I don't have that many so I intend to keep the ones I do have as they are. I'm not sure why you're doing this but I know you're not interested in me."
"How do you know?" She shouted.
"You don't look at me the way you look at him." Neville said with a caring hand on her shoulder.
Hermione shook her head. "He's not the man I thought he was."
"He's always been that way. You know that." With that Neville smiled, kissed her cheek, and walked away leaving Hermione confused and embarrassed.
Later that night as she walked silently next to Draco on the seventh floor she couldn't help but dwell on Neville's parting words. He's always been that way. What on earth does that mean? Surely Neville didn't know that Viktor was an abuser?
Her thoughts were shaken away by Draco clearing his throat and handing her a bouquet of tulips. "You seem a bit pre-occupied Granger…Had a good afternoon did you?"
Hermione shook her head but didn't answer as she sniffed the flowers. Draco raised an eyebrow. "That good eh? I didn't know Longbottom had it in him. Well I'll tell you one thing Granger, you definitely did that poor boy a favor. He's probably still dancing naked in his dormitory in victory."
Hermione laughed loudly at his comment as she pictured the sight. Draco nudged her playfully. "Alright, out with it!"
"I thought you didn't want to know." Hermione said casually.
Draco ran a hand through his hair and leaned against the wall. "I know I said I didn't but it's killing me Granger….Did you get what you wanted?"
Hermione stifled a smile. "Not exactly no….Neville's amazing."
Draco made a vomit gesture as he grabbed at his stomach. Hermione punched him in the arm. "Stop it you prat! He is amazing! Probably the best friend I've ever had. Neville will always be in my life. I will make sure of it."
"Wow! He really did do a number on you…Well I guess everyone has their talents. That must be his."
"Urgh! Do you always have to be such an idiot?" Hermione scoffed.
"Well….Yes! Of course! I've always been that way! You know that!" Draco laughed loudly.
Hermione froze as she came to a realization. She smiled and began to walk away. Draco followed curiously. "What? Did I say something?"
Hermione smiled and shook her head. "No, I just realized how intelligent Neville is….Why are you following me Malfoy?"
"We're supposed to be together…That is uh to say, completing our rounds together. And I'm supposed to be looking after you, keeping you away from other boys-woops I guess I didn't keep up that end of the bargain! Viktor vill be how you say? Furious?" He mocked Viktor's accent.
Hermione stopped and smiled. "No he won't. I didn't do anything with Neville. He reminded me how important our friendship is and-"
"You got turned down by NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM?" Draco toppled over in laughter. He was kneeling on the ground, clutching his stomach when Hermione kicked him gently in the knee.
"You insensitive git! What if I had been distraught over it? Is this how you were going to take care of me? By laughing at me? What a horrible caretaker you've turned out to be." Hermione yelled as Draco brushed off his knees.
"Oh you didn't want to really shag Longbottom and you know it."
"You're right but I need to get this over with….I guess I'll just have to choose Harry or Ron. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Wait!" Draco stopped her quickly with a nervous expression. He sighed heavily and rubbed his hands together tensely. "Potter's with your best friend remember? You can't go hurting her like that. And the Weasel's with that purple girl."
Hermione laughed. "Lavender."
"Whatever! You don't want to go and ruin a perfectly good thing do you? Maybe you should think about this more?"
Hermione threw her hands up in frustration. "Well then what do I do? I can't believe how hard this has become. Usually girls my age have their pick of suiters and I can't even find one! What's wrong with me?"
"Nothing Granger." He said softly.
"Well then, you do it! You be my first!" Hermione said as she wiped away a tear.
"I can't."
"Why not?"
Draco lifted her chin with his hand. "Because I don't deserve you Granger."
Hermione's tears began to fall more rapidly as she covered her face with her hands. Draco embraced her gently and rocked her softly. "You deserve something special. I told you that…..I have a confession to make."
Hermione sniffed and mumbled under her hands. "What is it?"
"I'm the reason why you haven't found anyone yet. I've sort of been tampering with your lists."
"What? How?" Hermione said as she forced the tears to stop.
"I gave you jinxed parchment so that if you considered anyone I didn't have the capability of scaring away, they wouldn't seem interesting at all on paper. There was no way you were going to choose someone with those lists."
"WHY? Why would you do such a thing?" She demanded with a hurt expression.
Draco shook his head. "I-I just did. I can't explain it and I'm not sorry."
Hermione pushed him harshly against the wall and hit him in the arm with the flowers. "So you want me to give the only piece of myself I have left to that monster?"
"NO! THAT'S NOT IT! YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!" Draco said furiously. Hermione threw the flowers at his chest and stormed away.
