Hey guys! I finally got back into the writing of this story!
The chapter switches perspectives a few times, but nothing too complicated. Anyway, I made some corrections in the last chapter since I notice some glaringly obvious grammar mistakes that would have made my first grade school teacher flinch. Anyway, thanks for your patience and
Oh! And the chappie is exceptionally long by my standards, due in part to the fact that I'm including a scene I had originally intended for another story but figured it fit better here. Regardless, keep sending me your reviews/comments/suggestions/and criticisms and I'll do my best to oblige. ENJOY! D
Chapter 22
Draco's Point of View —
Two weeks went by and strangely, nothing happened. The day after the fateful Daily Prophet front page article, Draco had half expected to find his father waiting by his bedside, wand raised to mark him as a Death Eater. Instead, life had settled into a peaceful routine which was making him all the more paranoid because of it.
"Maybe he doesn't dare make a move this close to Dumbledore. While you are here, you are safe" suggested Hermione a week after the news of the breakout. She too looked worst for wear, waking nightmares plaguing her with the same symptoms of paranoia that accompanied him.
He smiled to himself. It was clear as daylight to anyone who cared to look that Hermione Granger was terrified. And yet she had stayed true to her word, bringing up her book every evening to study by him and entertain themselves with petty chatting. During the day she sought him out both on head boy/girl business or for the simple pleasure of sharing the latest classroom misadventure. What touched him even more was the knowledge that, though she feared the Dark Lord well enough, her true concern was that she feared for Draco's life. And for him, that meant something.
One of the more lively episodes of the newly formed friendship came in the form of Seamus Finnigan. Draco was entering the head boy common room only to be brushed off by Finnigan, who looked rather worst for wear as he blindly walked out of the room, his hand held up against his reddened left cheek. It didn't take a genius to figure things out and, as expected, he found a disheveled looking Hermione who looked, to put it mildly, pissed.
"That insufferable, pigheaded, half-witted twit!" She rambled and he grinned at her ever PG13 choice of insults.
"If you give me his name and address, I'll pass it onto a few acquaintances of mine in Knockturn Alley. They'll make sure he... doesn't bother you, or anyone, again" he mockingly suggested which cause her to snort. Thankfully, the recommendation broke her temper burst enough to allow for her to sit down with a rather loud and unladylike 'humph'.
"And give someone else the benefit of giving of jinxing Seamus back to 1st year?" She retorted. "I don't think so"
"Though from my carefully thought out deductions on the evidence" he added, thinking back on his chance encounter with Finnigan, "I'd wager you've already taken some retaliatory action?"
"You're never gonna let me live this down, are you?" she replied with a sigh, knowing that, though not a Death Eater, Malfoy could definitely appreciate watching his Gryffindor friend stumbled into the dark side and resort to violence.
"Correct" he asserted with an amused grin. "After all, it's not every day that lil Miss. Perfect goes on a killing spree".
"Too true, but I should warn you, if you don't let up on this, I might have to resort on a killing spree against you as well"
"Get in line" he snapped in jest, though the bitter undertone was unmistakable.
"Sorry" she added immediately, knowing that their playful banter had, once again, touched a sore spot.
"No need" he reassured her, standing up to head to his room for the night. "After all, it's either laugh about it and pretend to keep on living, or let him win" She tried to smile for him, trying to reach him, but he always pulled his walls up in times like these.
After all, he was still a Malfoy. And Malfoy's pride themselves in composure.
Hermione's Point of View —
For the first time in a what seemed ages, Hermione took out her diary to write. Her thoughts had been so complicated since the beginning of this whole ordeal that it became harder and harder to narrow her thoughts into a single statement. But she needed it, needed to find the clarity to look at things from a perspective and see through them. And so, taking up the mostly ignored notebook from the night stand, she laid it on her lap and carefully began to write.
The greatest men in history are a product of their circumstances. A spark of genius under pressure brought forth to an extraordinary light. No larger than any other man before him but simply made to shine as a process of all the efforts that pushed him beyond that which any should endure. Like a rock becoming a diamond. And before such brilliance, I find that I am the only one close enough to notice...
She put the quill down, giggling at Malfoy's reaction if he ever saw that she had described him as a diamond. For that matter, she realized as her thoughts turned dark, what any of her friends would think before such a statement. Such a shame, she concluded, for such light to go unappreciated. She could only hope it would endure until such time as the Dark Lord's cloak is lifted so that the world could finally see it.
Encumbered with all her thoughts on life and the threatening perils of the looming Dark Lord, Hermione missed the most immediate threat. And because of this little slip up, she forgot that in the very first day of Potion's class, as the professor asked all groups to perform a potion they considered challenging by way of placing them in the class, Seamus Finnigan had concocted a somewhat sloppy love potion, but a love potion nevertheless.
So when they went out to Hogsmeads, having accepted only on the condition that Seamus knew this was just as friends, she did not question when he offered her a drink from his water bottle after a rather long walk. And when she started to feel this innate urge to snog the living daylights out of Seamus, she didn't question it either.
Ginny's Point of View:
Very few things could have shaken up Ginevra Weasley quite as thoroughly as the sight before her. There, sitting by the main fountain in Hogsmead, making out to their hearts content like a perfect couple were Hermione Granger and Seamus Finnigan. She knew immediately that something was indeed wrong because, as she tried to interrupt and demand an explanation, all she received was a love struck answer so uncharacteristic of Hermione she could only conclude it to be false.
So she tried to find someone who could help. Unfortunately, Ron and Luna had decided that very same day to finally, finally, hook up, which they were currently doing out by the shrieking shack, the most notorious make out location since the beginning of 4th year. Harry wasn't an option for he had been somewhat moody around her the past few days and had chosen to stay at Hogwarts. She could try dragging Neville, but that would never work considering he was always more likely to hinder than help. Driven by the desperation, she recalled one of her recent conversations with Hermione.
"Can't believe you're still stuck working with that Malfoy. It sucks to see you have to spend so much time around him, knowing what a twerp he can be". To Ginny's surprise, her friend only smiled.
"I'm not going to disagree with you that he is a twerp. But, like I've said, he's not as bad as everyone makes him out to be" replied Hermione, which only fueled Ginny's frustrations on the topic. What did startle her though was what she said next: "And you know what else Ginny? I think he's one of the few people in this school I think I can genuinely count on to help if something serious happens. And don't look at me that way, you're in that list too, you know!". That had started a pillow fight which lasted until Hermione was forced to leave to go finished her potion's report. Ginny had tried to suppress the memory, more in denial than anything else, but for some reason it was the only thought on her mind and, for better or worst, she acted upon it.
She found Malfoy sitting with Crabbe, Goyle, and a few other Slytherin posy members near a bridge, trying to fling dirt balls at the pedestrians that passed under it, fleeing quickly to safety before they were caught. His behavior almost caused her to regret her decision but he spotted her and made one of his customary remarks.
"Well, if it isn't the youngest Weasel" he remarked, causing his fellow Slytherins to snicker. "Trying to find some more used clothing to wear?" She was about to yell back at him but clenched her fists by her sides and restrained herself. She needed him, whether she liked it or not.
"Whatever, Malfoy" she replied tartly, which must have shocked him since he was used to her blowing off at him at the mere mention of her family or their economical situation. "I... I need a moment with you. It's... important". The Slytherins laughed at this but he shut them up with a sneering glance.
"If the lil missy wants a minute, I've never been one to be rude to any lady" he replied suggestively, standing up to follow her but not before remarking. "Even if it is a muggle loving weasel". It was then that she knew Hermione would owe her bad for this. If not, she might just be forced to assassinate her best friend's fellow head boy. Suppressing murderous thoughts aside for a more convenient moment, she waited until they were sufficiently out of sight before speaking.
"Now Malfoy, shut up and listen. I am no more pleased to have to even share my breath with you than you are to tolerate my muggle loving presence. But Hermione needs ... someone, and by Merlin I can't think of anyone else that could help". His sneer dropped the moment he mentioned Hermione's name and his eyes turned wide with ... could it be? concern?
"What happened?" he asked, his voice so unlike the snarling cold knife she was used to receiving from him. "Is she alright? Did she tell you to find me?" He knew Hermione would never risk their carefully worked out friendship and the potential of his reputation being tarnished before his father's eyes unless something horrible had happened.
"Yes... well... no" she stumbled, trying to find the words. "It's Finnigan." Before she could explain more he was taking his wand out ready to beat up someone.
"What did that creep do! I swear I'll kill the bastard if he..."
"Malfoy, stop" she begged with an authority so like Hermione's he couldn't help but abide. "Mione's been complaining about Seamus hitting on her since... oh...forever. And she's honest, you know, not like most honest people, but in a unique way. She tells you exactly what she's thinking, no apologies. So they were coming to Hogsmead today, she made certain he knew it was just as friends, especially after that whole her slapping him in the face incident. Anyway, I don't know what spell... or incantation... I just don't know what happened. Next thing I know they are snogging like there's no tomorrow by the fountain". To this, Malfoy's eyes turned dead cold, almost as if in pain.
"But that's not her!" She added quickly, seeing her case slip between her fingers. "I know so! I tried to pull her aside but she replied with something so... so... not Hermione, that I can't help but wonder what he might have given her." Ginny tried to look beyond Malfoy's dark glance.
"Why me? Why not ask pretty boy Potter? You like him enough. Or your precious little brother and his devoted loonie". He snarled. She didn't even have the energy to defend her friends.
"Because she asked for you" she replied simply. "Because though I could try getting Harry from Hogwarts or forcing Ron out of Luna's loving arms if I wanted their help, but she told me that she trusted you. Shocked the hell out of me, it did, but she does. Told me so, about a few weeks back. And well, that means something. I trust her judgement, no matter how much I might despise you." Whatever anger his eyes held gave away the moment she had said those words: 'she trusts you'. It meant more to him than all the adoring eyes of his fellow Slytherins or a million snitches he could catch any single night.
"Where are they?" he asked, his face resolute. She motioned for him to follow, almost dragging him by the arm. They must have made one very odd pair: the youngest Weasley pulling a determined Malfoy by the arm into the central plaza of Hogsmead. Unfortunately, the couple in question was no longer there.
"I left them right here..." her voice trailed off, trying to find where they might have gone.
"Follow me. If I know one thing about Finnigan is that I caught him fourth year with that stupid Lavender girl frolicking in a clearing not too far from here" he said, already starting to break to a jog on his way there. "Should have blabbed on about it the moment I caught the two. Might have kept him from trying to use the clearing again". When they arrived, Merlin behold, there they were, caught up in a passionate embraced though thankfully still clothed. Ginny was about to interrupt but came too late as Malfoy stormed in and, with a flick of his wand, sent an unsuspecting Seamus Finnigan flying across the clearing and smacked into a tree.
"Seamus darling!" exclaimed Hermione, who was on her way to save her beloved by the time Ginny got to hold her down.
"Hold still Mione" she said, struggling to keep her friends arms pinned down. Until such time as she could determine what was making her friend so lovey dovey, she sure was not letting her go.
"Malfoy, Ginny, what brings you two here?" asked a pained Finnigan, trying to lift himself on his knees from where he had fallen. Malfoy helped him up by holding his shirt's collar and smacking him once more onto the tree, holding him a few feet above the grounds. Ginny had never seen Malfoy look so absolutely terrifying, nor had she ever felt so proud of him.
"What did you do to her!" he demanded, punching the frightened man in the stomach. "Answer me!".
"Only made her see the feelings that were already there" he replied. "I knew she was playing hard to get and thought this would only speed things up." He then gulped before he proceeded. "And why do you care, Malfoy!" Seamus Finnigan, Ginny concluded, was either braver or stupider than he looked for Malfoy's stare was meant to kill. She was half expecting him to pop out his wand and perform an unforgivable on Finnigan, which Ginny was inclined to believe she wouldn't have cared to stopped.
"Let's say it is within my interest to keep my fellow head girl happy" he replied starkly. "Besides, it's not often I get to play the hero and beat up someone. It's just an offer I can't pass up on" A very Malfoy-like answer, concluded Ginny. Even she would have been convinced, had she not seen the concern on his face or the anger at seeing the couple lip locked but a few minutes before. A less observant person might have missed it, but Ginny was a very sharp girl. Draco smacked the dangling boy in the stomach once more before letting him drop on the floor.
"Get out of my sight" he snarled, kicking him in the ribs. A pain stricken Seamus managed to get up on his feet and was pushed rather forcefully by Malfoy to head on out. Once he was clearly out of sight, Malfoy returned his attention to Hermione who was sobbing uncontrollably as Ginny kept her arms pinned to her sides while sitting on her back. Malfoy moved swiftly to her side, taking out a small golden flask from his pocket.
"It's an antidote to...well... just about everything" he explained. "Let's just say my father is a paranoid man and I've learned that, in this particular instance, it can come in handy." He stirred the flask a little before opening the top. "If I'm not mistaken, that idiot gave her a love potion. True to his word, it does ... amplify... the feelings that are already there. However, it doesn't mean that the feelings were even so much as directed to him or anyone else for that matter. Currently, her brain doesn't even register what she is saying, all those love declarations to Seamus. They could all be towards someone else in her subconscious. It might as well have been the idea of love she saw herself pursuing. She won't be very happy when she snaps out of it though. She'll want you to stay around and comfort her." He handed Ginny the flask. "I'll head on out now".
"Thank you" she mumbled, barely able to formulate anything more to say. "Will she remember you were here?"
"Yea..." he said, sounding terribly heartbroken. "But it won't matter. She'll be grateful, no doubt, but will most likely be too disgusted at Seamus to think of it and, when she does, she'll be too disgusted at my own lack of self control. She never does like it when I beat up on people." He let out a long sigh, increasingly growing uncomfortable at the look Ginny directed towards him. "Not a word Weasley. We are still who we are. That will never change". Without another word, he turned and left, ignoring the still sobbing Hermione and the ever so shocked Ginny.
It took Ginny a few more moments to snap out of her own daze and administer the potion. A few moments later, she found her friend hugging her and sobbing onto her shirt.
"I can't believe that just happened" she mustered between sobs. "I feel so ... used. So... dishonest. How could anyone even consider using such a potion!" All Ginny could do was pet her friends hair and hold her, just like she had done when the red head had felt just as broken during countless moment of her Hogwarts life.
After these events, as far as Ginny was concerned, Malfoy seemed to have settled into the old way of things as if nothing had ever happened. And she resigned herself that if he didn't want to bring it up, neither would she. She wasn't particularly fond of recalling the events of that day, especially considered the rather traumatic sight of watching her best friend make out with such an idiot and the painful healing process it afterwards.
But however much they might have tried to treat each other as if nothing had happened, it had indeed occurred. Ginny stopped lashing out at Malfoy and he stopped provoking her. Of course, they did occasionally squabble, otherwise it would be suspicious, but there was a certain line that had been drawn as to how far either one was willing to go with their insults. Ginny never again called him a death eater. Malfoy never again made fun of her family. It was this constant evidence that kept reminding Hermione that she needed to speak to Draco, because certain issues had not been resolved. And he needed to know.
WOOT WOOT! Six pages single spaced! YIPPEE! Perhaps not quality writing, but it was fun getting into the story again. Hope you guys enjoyed it. Anyway, I think nothing brings about love like a good amount of jealousy and, let it be said, it isn't over yet for this couple. Yule ball drama and Dark Lord workings to come! Stay tuned!
Oh! And keep sending in your reviews and suggestions! I love hearing from you guys!
