Authors Notes: sevengee back with another chapter! Read it and review it!
'Dirty Work'
Skeeter's Score
"Morning, Hermione." Greeted Ron, as he stepped through her fireplace, covered completely in soot. Quickly, he brushed himself off. "Ready for breakfast?" He called out.
Swiftly, Hermione rushed out of her bedroom, buttoning up her cloak, and picking up her suitcase, which leaned on one of the stools inside her kitchen. She looked at Ron and smiled. "Now I am," she declared, walking up to him, "I don't think I should be late this morning... so we have a fully thirty minutes of breakfast."
"Great," he commented, leading her out of her flat and shutting the door.
Although they could just easily apparate themselves to the breakfast place where they would be eating, the two had thought it better to enjoy the day and walk to their destination. It wasn't often you would find a perfectly sunny day that was just pleading for you to relax in it. They hadn't hesitated once to stroll around for a little while.
The two both stepped out of the flat building, arm in arm, taking in the sweet sunny day. This was one of Ron's last day as a "single" man, and Hermione wanted him to enjoy it. Besides, who better to enjoy it with then with his best friend?
"So, Mister Soon-to-become-married-man, how do you feel?" Hermione asked humourously.
"Like I could just jump off a building and fly," he laughed, skipping a little bit. "I'm going to be a married man in the next 48 hours. I should spend this time wisely," he said to her.
"Of course," Hermione agreed, as they turned around a corner. "Shall we take a detour through the park?"
"Alright," Ron said, unweaving his arm from Hermione's. He stuffed them in his cloak pockets and hunched up his shoulders. "A bit cold for a sunny day, don't you think?" He asked.
"Sadly, yes. Better hope your wedding day isn't like this."
"It won't be. It's going to be perfect. I'm telling you, you'll see."
"I can hardly wait," Hermione giggled.
"Me neither," Ron said heartily, looking around the parks scenery. The tree's were just about blooming since spring was already taking over, and the grass was greener then ever. A squirrel or bird would come across and they would disappear quickly into their nests or up into a tree. Ron chuckled.
"So how was that... thing, with Malfoy?" He ventured to ask.
Of course, Hermione had told him that she would be having a dinner with Draco. What kind of friend would she be if she hadn't? It wasn't surprising to her that Ron didn't take it well, but she told him it was just a dinner, not a date. Although the news of Hermione going out with another person would sound good to Ron, he just didn't like it at that moment. He didn't even like it then.
"That thing Ronald, was a dinner. And it went fine, thank you very much." She replied testily.
"A dinner. Right," he said skeptically, hardly a grin on his face. "It definitely wasn't a date."
"It wasn't!" She continued hotily, glaring at Ron playfully. "All we did was eat and have drinks. That's all." She half lied.
"Oh? Food and champagne? Now it definitely isn't a date!" He went on skeptically. Hermione slapped him hard on the arm.
"You know what I mean. Nothing more happened than us talking." She guaranteed Ron. What a lie.
"Right." He said again, laughing a little bit. "Just a few weeks working with Malfoy and already you like him?" He asked.
Hermione slapped him again on the arm. This time a bit harder. "I don't like Malfoy!" She denied.
"Oh, you don't?" He said with more sarcasm. "Because it would seem like it to me, somtimes. Especially with all that time you two spend together. Lunch. Dinner."
"You know it's mainly for the ball, Ron!" Hermione complained, as she strolled along with him. He thrust his head up and laughed.
"I'm only teasing, calm your broomsticks." He said to her, while patting her on the shoulder. "But you two do sound a little suspicious."
"Oh, shove it." Hermione said to him jokingly as they went over and sat down on a bench that was nearby. "The only thing that should be suspicious about us is how we're planning the ball."
"Ah, yes, the ball. How's that going anyways?"
"Great. Just a few more stages of preparing left and that's it."
"Anything new going on in the Ministry?"
"Oh!" Hermione clapped her hands happily, "We've got a very good lead on the remaining death eaters. We think we'll get them in a corner soon!" She exclaimed excitedly.
Ron smiled. "That's got to be the greatest news since the wedding."
Hermione chuckled. "Ah, the wedding? How's Parvati planning it?"
Ron leaned against the back of the bench, relaxing himself. "I have absolutely no idea. Parvati's making all the decisions so I wouldn't know..."
"Typical," Hermione commented, as she looked at the newspaper rack that was on one side of the bench. On the other side was a garbage can.
"Well, the planning is hard. Don't expect me to want to take part in it," Ron said. "And since we're on topic of the wedding..." he trailed off.
"...What about the wedding?" Hermione asked, her forehead just a little bit scrunched. "We already talked about it of course."
"Come on, Hermione. Are you bringing anyone?" Ron blurted out at her.
Hermione looked at him surprised, a smile playing around her lips. Was she bringing a date? Funny. And knowing Ron, he had probably been dying to know, especially since he told her the news. She looked at him and laughed bitterly to herself.
"Am I bringing anyone?" She said mockingly, "And who am I to bring?" She questioned. Ron eyed her a little, raising his eyebrows as well. Hermione cocked a brow. "What?" She questioned again. He looked a little bit funny.
"Malfoy," he said, as if it were obvious. "I thought you might bring him." He suggested.
"Malfoy?" Hermione asked. "Bring him to the wedding? You must be joking." She accused, while giggling just a little bit. "Why would I bring him? Maybe if I wanted to cause some chaos or something, then I would, but other then that, I would have no other reason to bring him!" She went on, laughing. Ron continued to look at her oddly.
"No other reason? Are you sure?" He half-teased, as Hermione realized that he was referring to his earlier comments on her and Draco.
"Oh come off it!" She complained, standing up. "I couldn't possibly like Malfoy."
"And it would make my life easier if you didn't, but he's alright these days."
"Alright? And with what authority do you speak with?" She asked him.
"Well, he visited me at the office in Mungo's congratulating me a few days ago. He even called me by my first name," Hermione smirked, remembering that she had asked him not to call Ron and Parvati by their last names. "He also said he wished me a happy marriage with Parvati. It was real nice of him, really."
"Did he?" Hermione asked, disbelievingly.
"Yep," he said, standing up as well. "Besides, you think he's alright too, don't you?"
"Of course! But that's beside the point. I can't bring Malfoy to the wedding."
"Why not?"
"Just - because."
"Okay."
"...Okay?"
"Okay."
The two had walked over to the news rack together, about to pick up a copy of the mornings Daily Prophet. The rack had only two copies left in it, and Hermione and Ron looked at it, amazed by the fact that so many people had taken one.
"Must be an interesting topic today," Hermione said, forgetting the subject they were just talking about. Taking Draco to the wedding. Yeah right.
Okay, so she hadn't completely forgotten about it.
"Yeah. Let's take a look at it, shall we?" Ron suggested.
Standing above the rack, Hermione bent down to pick up an article. And for some reason, her heart skipped a beat. And she may have lost her breath. She may have died for just a second. The article was about her. She gasped.
Ron must've heard it, for he stood before her, and asked "You okay?" With a frog in her throat, Hermione croaked a yes. She picked it up slowly, but was careful not to show it to Ron. "Er... Ron, I'm not feeling so hungy anymore..."
"...Alright. Why? Something wrong?"
"No, no, no, no. Just go. I have to be at the office."
"Okay, Hermione. But you shouldn't be going to work. I'll see you later."
As Ron trotted off, Hermione held up the article right up to her nose, scanning the words on the front page. She looked at the picture that was replaying as well, and she couldn't believe it. Not one single thing was making sense to her.
Bogus Ball?
Draco Malfoy, the wealthy and well-known Hogwarts graduate, is more of a househould name these days, because of the Goodwill Charity Ball that he is funding, together with many of his other workers. They all are working quite hard on it, as the Ball premieres itself next week.
Of his many workers, however, one of them seems to be getting favourable attention. Hermione Granger, Journalist for the Department of Journalists or Reporters for the Advertising or the Uncovering of Special Events, seems to have clawed her way once more, through the heart of a very highly thought of wizard.
On Thursday evening, Miss Granger was seen entering his Manor by your correspondent herself, and was not witnessed to leave till the late hour of night time. They were seen eating dinner together, and talking over many important subjects, even about the recenetly deceased fiance of Miss Granger's, Mister Harry Potter.
As Mister Malfoy escorted Hermione out of his home, both looking very flustered (this reason is still unknown), he had given her what would appear to be a hug. Miss Granger returned the affection with a peck on his cheek (see picture to right). A friendly hug and a chaste kiss? Some may think not.
It has recently been discovered that Miss Granger's pay is higher than all Mister Malfoy's other workers. Almost double in fact. Why is this? Perhaps it is just the benefit for having a secret relationship with the boss? Or a secret deal between the two that is much too private to be revealed that they would rather keep to themselves? The answer is with them only.
No one quite knows the real relationship between the two. It has been evident that they have been spending much time together within Ministry walls, and that is not where it stops. A bogus ball or just a relationship struggling to be accepted? This is your correspondent, Rita Skeeter, for the Daily Prophet.
Beside the article, was a picture of Draco hugging Hermione and Hermione kissing him on the cheek. It replayed over and over and over again. Hermione looked at the article disgustedly and cursed Rita Skeeter to Hell in her mind. How had she known about the dinner?
With the anger of a raging sea, Hermione took the remaining newspaper from the racket and dumped it inside the garbage can. She kept the one she had read in her hands and apparated quickly to the Ministry. She had some talking to do.
"What the hell is this!" Hermione screamed, slamming the paper down on Draco's office desk, while he was reading a memo from one of his workers. He peered at her through his reading glasses, and set them aside, sighing at her interruption.
"Goodmorning to you too, Granger," he said sarcastically, while standing up from his desk and striding over to a coffee pot that was set aside on a table in the corner of a room. He poured himself a cup.
"Have you read this?" Hermione demanded from him, shoving the paper in his face. He looked at it angrily for a moment and put down his coffee mug. Draco sighed and took the newspaper from her, thrusting it onto his office desk, where it made a crinkling noise as it landed.
"Yes, I have read it, and I am none too pleased about it." He said, while picking up his mug again and taking a sip from it. "When did you read it?"
"Just now." Hermione said, pacing his office angrily. "How could she write such a thing?" Hermione wailed, stomping her foot down. Draco looked at her a little indifferently and walked up to her, holding her at shoulders length.
"Just calm down," he said, trying to sooth her. "I'm upset about it too. Now have some coffee," he offered, as he went over to the coffee pot once more, taking out another mug and pouring his agitated friend a mug full. Gladly she took it, and inhaled the scent, letting it calm her down. She hadn't been this flustered since... well, for a long time.
"How did she find out?" She asked, after taking a few sips.
"I don't know. I really don't," Draco said, pulling out a chair for her to sit on. Greatfully, she sat on it, and he seated himself on his own chair as well. They faced each other, both very confused about the whole ordeal and sighed together.
"She's sneaky, she is." Hermione said.
"Sneaky and evil." Draco added. After a few minutes in silence together, thinking about possible ways she might have pulled it off. "You didn't tell anyone did you?" He asked.
"I told Ginny... and Ron. But I know they didn't tell anyone! Besides, Ginny knows not to talk about it, and I told Ron about it after it happened... I don't know what she did!" Hermione complained, slamming her fist on his office desk.
"Are you sure Ginny wouldn't have told anyone?"
"I'm positive. What about you, did you tell anyone?" She inquired.
"No, not really." Hermione raised her eyebrow. "Well, some of my workers asked me what I was doing that evening and I simply told them I was having dinner with a friend. I never said it was you, I didn't think it was important," he explained to her. Hermione nodded.
"Well now," Draco said, sighing once more, "how could she have found out about the dinner if none of us had told her? And about your double pay?"
Hermione raised her eyebrows. "The double pay! I almost forgot..." She thought for a moment, "anyone could have told her if she asked. Your other workers knew that I was getting a higher pay, and they must have thought it was nothing when she asked." Draco thought for a moment. "But I don't think they knew it was because I was your partner."
"Okay, that makes sense," Draco said, nodding to himself, "then what about the dinner?"
Hermione slumped in her seat. "I don't know. It's all so confusing!"
"Don't get stressed over this, Granger. Don't worry, it'll blow over," he cooed to her from behind the desk. It almost looked like he was going to pat her on the back, or let her lean on his shoulder.
"Blow over? This easily? Malfoy, everyone probably thinks this ball is a scam now! They all probably think that the only reason you thought of it was to get close to me, or that I had a motive behind working for you! How do we fix this?" She whined.
Draco, to Hermione's surprised stood up, and took her by the hands. He pulled her up to her full measure and held her at shoulders length, as if he were trying to calm her. Draco held her steady, and Hermione looked up at him, a little puzzled.
"I already figured out how we're going to fix this, Granger." He told her, his grip on her shoulders never loosening.
Hermione looked at him, awed. "Really? How?"
"Some of us like to call this damage control, Granger," he said, walking over to his door and opening it for her. "Come on." He said.
"What? Where are we going?" Hermione asked, as if she were panicked. Draco looked at her reassuringly, so she wouldn't lose her grip.
"Trust me, Granger."
"No, I want to know what we're doing!" She said, her voice very high.
"Well," he said, hoping that his explanation would calm her down, "the minute I read the article, I knew that this could cause some serious trouble for the ball, so I said to myself 'What can I do to fix this?' And then I found out that half the wizarding community are dying for answers or statements."
Hermione continued to look at him, confused. "So...?"
"Granger, don't be thick. What's the best way to answer peoples questions and make statements for them to believe?" He asked her.
Hermione blinked.
"A Press Conference?"
"Yes!" Draco said, waving his arm at the door, telling her to leave. "I scheduled one to be held down at F07, and for all the reporters and journalists to come so they can get the real news. After that, we're stomping all the way to Skeeter's office to tell her to mind her own business for once."
"We are?" Hermione asked dumbly.
"Yeah! Now let's go! I've been waiting for you to come barging in here!" He said, pushing Hermione out the door.
"W-W-Wait!" Hermione wailed, as Draco kept on shoving her. "What if they ask a question that I don't know the answer too? What happens if I just freeze? What if Skeeter turns me into a toad? Malfoy! You let go of me right now - "
"We're going to the conference, and we're telling Skeeter off, Granger. Now shut your mouth and hurry up!"
"Malf - "
But the complaint was no use, for Hermione was already out the door, and being pushed all the way to the elevator by Draco. He had also put a silencing spell on her.
She was going to kill Draco.
Hermione and Draco both arrived on F07, both looking flustered and stressed. Hermione looked like she had wrestled a troll down on her way, and Draco looked just as ragged. She had been putting up a fight all the way down, to Draco's dismay, for he had to literally drag her down there.
As they walked towards the door that lead to the Press Conference room, Draco removed the silencing charm he had cast over Hermione, to stop continuous rants of not wanting to turn into a toad by Skeeter.
"I'm going to hurt you after this is done, Malfoy!" Hermione said, as she followed Draco towards the door.
"Forget it, Granger, you're going to thank me later," he replied, opening the door to the room.
"Thank you later? Are you sure? Because I might kill you instea - " but the last syllable was not heard, because as Draco swung the door open, they were swarmed by a wave of microphones being shoved into their faces, by people who were holding notepads and getting ready with a quill to write things down. A camera hovered above Hermione, and quickly, she darted her way with Draco, up to the table with two chairs and two microphones.
"Miss Ganger, are these allegations all true?"
"Mister Malfoy! How do you feel about your love life being exposed?"
"Have you two set a wedding date?"
"Is it true you two had a romp in the bed before Miss Granger left?"
The questions just went on, being thrusted at them, even before they could take their seats. To Hermione's relief, Draco began quieting the audience down by moving his hands down in front of them. Slowly, the chatter and the questions died, the attention now, completely on Hermione and Draco.
"Thank you for coming, reporters and journalists," said Draco while nodding and sitting and tucking himself in. "I realize that many of you have questions for Miss Granger and myself, and for the ball as well, but I am telling you now, we are only answering the questions we feel you must know. If we receive any insults or accusations, we will instantly end this conference, and answer no more of your questions."
He was silent for a moment to see if they all understood, and then nodded again, to show that he and Hermione were ready for questioning. As he did so, a score of reporters began raising their hands.
"Yes," Draco said, pointing at a tall female reporter. "You, over there."
"Hello, Mister Malfoy. My name is Helena Swidge, and I would like to know whether or not this ball had a personal motive behind it, concerning both you and Miss Granger."
"No, there was no personal motive behind it. I chose to fundraise this ball because there are many wizards and witches out there who are in dire need of food, clothing and shelter, and I of course, willingly decided to help them."
"And what about Miss Granger?" The lady asked, as she pointed her microphone in Hermione's direction.
Nervously, Hermione gulped and tapped her own microphone. After it made a large squeaking noise that reverberated around the room, she answered. "I was assigned to this ball by my Department Head. I had been chosen to work with Malfoy to do this. I did not pick to work with him." She clarified to them.
A hundred quills began scratching on their notepads, and Hermione looked at Draco for support. He nodded at her encouragingly, and picked another reporter in the crowd. It was a small man, who's glasses were all the way down his nose.
"Yes, Mister Malfoy, I would like to know if you're dinner with Miss Granger had anything to do with the ball. And if not, what was the whole dinner about?"
A murmur came across the crowd, wondering the same as this man was. They all held up their microphones in Draco's direction. He gulped.
"No, our dinner had nothing to do with the ball. All it was, was a celebration to our dedicated work. Nothing more," he told them.
"But the planning for the ball still is not over. Why have a dinner so early in these stages?" Someone from the cluster of reporters called out. Draco looked at him, and coughed sternly. "We had our reasons. However, my first statement remains true. It was just a celebration."
He looked over at Hermione, and she nodded at a man who was far to the corner of the room, his hand flailing about. "Why is it that you are getting a higher pay than the rest of his other workers?"
Hermione smiled at the man, to her surprise, and spoke out, clearly into the microphone. "That, I'm sorry to say, was both my fault, and Malfoy's. We had forgotten to mention to his workers that I had been appointed his partner for planning - "
"Why?" Yelled a person from the crowd. Hermione cleared her throat.
"It was clear to Malfoy and myself that my skills were needed in the rest of the planning." The crowd seemed to nod all together and scribbled all at once, so Hermione continued, as they were happy with that answer. "As I was saying, I had been appointed his partner, and so as I received a higher status as one of his workers, it seemed a higher pay was inevitable as well."
Draco smiled at her, approving of her answer. "Yes, and we apologize to the rest of our workers who thought that it was unfair." The crowd nodded.
Looking around the room, Draco picked another reporter, who's quill was poised and ready to take notes. "Both of you have been seen together having lunch, walking around Ministry walls and what not. What were the purposes of those?"
"Just for the company of course. As I said, Granger and I are friends. Some of our talks have even been about the ball. In fact, most of them have been scheduled because of the ball." Some murmured as he spoke. "But of course, our company is appreciated at any given time." A wave of acceptance came across the crowd. This time, Hermione picked one.
"How can we know that this ball isn't corrupt? That it isn't just a ploy for a different purpose?" A wizard asked her.
"You'll just have to take our word for it then," Hermione replied, staring the man straight in the eye, "I am a very competent witch, and I have worked hard to get where I currently am, as has my partner. We would not throw it away in the course of a few days." Many nodded and agreed with her, and Draco smiled at her answer. "So, again, just take our word for it. This ball is not corrupt."
"Good enough for me," the reporter answered, and again, there was agreement among the crowd. Draco picked someone else.
"Was there any meaning behind the hug and kiss you both gave each other?"
Hermione and Draco looked at each other, a bit uncomfortable with the question, and turned back to the witch who asked the question. "No," Draco said confidently. "There was no meaning behind them. Both were very friendly and chaste." Some looked like they did not believe it.
Wanting to change the question, Hermione quickly picked someone else. A rough looking wizard, with a mean look set into his jaw. He pulled out a tape recorder, and held it out. Instantly, she regretted the wizard she picked, just because he looked like a very testy man.
"Enough of the safe questions," he announced, as he reached out his long microphone towards both Draco and Hermione. "Are you and Miss Granger involved?" He asked bluntly.
Again, the two looked at each other, very uncomfortable. Hermione thought it best that she should answer, because Draco looked more uncomfortable than she did.
"No, we are not involved. We never have been, Malfoy and I. We are just workers together. Companions." Hermione said strongly to the group of the wizards. Many nodded, and wrote her statement down, and Hermione even heard an "I told you so," and an "I knew they couldn't have been together." She was very proud at that moment.
"Then do you have any feelings for each other?"The man pryed on. Hermione froze in her seat, and stumbled on her words as she was answering, and Draco narrowed his eyes at him. He slightly lifted himself off of his seat.
"What is your name, sir?" He asked, while interrupting Hermione in the middle of answering. She looked relieved.
"James. James Tremp." The man answered.
"Well, Mister Tremp, I think your question is a bit out of line. Although I appreciate that you just want to do your job, that is a personal ques - "
"No, we do not have any feelings for each other." Hermione interrupted, standing up from her seat, and looking around to everyone in the crowd. They all looked back at her, and Hermione tried to ignore the flush that was erupting all around her cheeks.
"Draco and I do not have any personal feelings for each other. It may at times seem like that, what with the time we spend together out of work hours, I guarantee to you all that we are just close companions. I also guarantee that this article on my parter and I is a lie."
"A lie? You mean there was no dinner?" Someone shouted out.
"No, I am not saying that there was no dinner. I am saying that there was nothing behind that dinner. It was friendly, and meant for two friends to celebrate, and nothing more. Rita Skeeter has once again twisted around a story, and made us," she showcased herself and Draco, "and this magnificent ball that we are planning, look incredibly bad."
There was a murmur of agreement among the crowd. Looks like Hermione wasn't the only one who thought Skeeter's stories were made up and lies.
"I agree," shouted a wizard, "I believe what you and Mister Malfoy say," the wizard continued.
"Thank you for your support," Hermione said, to him with a wide smile.
"Myself as well!" Cried a witch who was raising her hand. "I knew this was a lie the moment the story came out."
"Thank you to you too!" Hermione said, nodding at the witch.
It seemed after that, many were giving Hermione and Draco their vote of confidence. It just seemed that many were just curious, and they did not know what to think. After the questions, they were all believing the two.
"I think those are enough questions," Draco said, standing up from his seat completely. "Thank you for your time. I hope many of you will be attending the ball." And he escorted himself from the stage, not waiting for Hermione.
The reporters made a path for Hermione and Draco as they walked off, towards the door. Hermione was all smiles, because she had triumphantly told the truth to the reporters, and they had believed her. Well, most of them, hopefully. Damage control was pretty fun.
"Some fun, eh, Malfoy?" Hermione said to Draco, jumping around.
"Fun. Yeah," he said, not facing her as she walked with him.
"So are we on our way to Skeeter's to tell her off?" Hermione asked hopefully. "Because I think I'm ready to face her if she wants to turn me into a frog!"
"Well, you can go, I don't feel up to it anymore," Draco answered her, a bit sullenly.
"We did a good job, didn't we, Malfoy? Really great, huh?" Hermione said happily, jumping about with Draco. Well, actually, she was doing the jumping.
"Yes, you did very well." He replied shortly.
"What's wrong, Malfoy? We just did some serious damage control over there! What's up?" She asked him, as he was about to turn a corner. She was finding it hard to keep up with him at the moment.
"I'll be upstairs in my office, Grang - "
"Ah, well if it isn't the lovely couple," croaked a slivery voice in front of Hermione and Draco. Draco looked up sharply, as did Hermione, when they heard the familiar voice. It was Skeeter, alligator hand bag and all.
"You," Hermione seethed, narrowing her eyes. "You evil woman! How dare you butt into our business!"
"Now, now, little beginner journalist. I was only doing my job, as you were doing yours," she said, while winking at Hermione. Hermione stepped forward, ready to pounce on Skeeter, but Draco stepped in front of her, holding his arms.
"What're you doing here?" Hermione screeched at her, finding it hopeless to try and fight her way past Draco. "We're not even in the same office!"
"Calm yourself, Granger. You wouldn't like another bad story on you, would you?" Hermione hissed at her. Literally, hissed. "For your information," Skeeter continued, looking at Draco and how he so manly stood up for Hermione. "I was here for the Press Conference... but it must be over now, as you two are leaving. Together." She added slyly.
"Away with you," Draco ordered, "your presence isn't wanted here."
"Oh really? But I'm sure you can stand my presence for just a little while longer. Don't you want to know how I found out, lovebirds?" She tempted, clicking her tongue as she spoke.
Draco and Hermione froze. They wanted to know very badly, but they couldn't stand her in front of them, smiling and clicking her tongue, holding her hand bag in her ugly fingers. Draco scowled.
"You would tell us?" He asked her cautiously, not wanting to ruin their chances of finding out how she did it.
"Of course. It would be fun to see your faces after I snuck behind your backs." She answered rudely. Draco completely stepped in front of Hermione, almost completely blocking her view from Skeeter. This must have been his way of protection or something.
"How then?" Draco asked her.
"Oh no, and I thought you two were smartest in your year at Hogwarts. How could you easily forget my special way of finding things out?" She asked them slyly.
"Tell us now or you'll get it, you filthy beetle!" Hermione demanded. But then she stopped. Special way of finding things out? Filthy beetle?
Oh bother.
"You transfigured yourself into a beetle? After I threatened to turn you in during fourth year? You're an unregistered - ! "
"Wrong there, bushy haired one. I am now a registered animagus. The ministry can't do anything to me now," she told Hermione and Draco. Draco narrowed his eyes even more.
"I still don't understand. Explain yourself, Skeeter." Draco commanded.
"Alright, alright, don't get testy with me, young Malfoy." She clicked her tongue, and began stalking in front of them, as if trying to hold it off.
"I'll start off with Miss Granger here. Do you remember that beetle you brushed off at the Weasley's home with young Ginevra? After announcing your date with Mister Malfoy? It seems Miss Weasley was right when she said that reporters would be swarming for news on her brothers wedding."
Hermione's mouth dropped, for being so stupid. She hadn't recognized the damned bug.
"You had given me the perfect piece of gossip news, when I had just been looking for wedding news on the Weasleys. I don't think I thanked you, actually," she said, in mock forgetfulness.
"You don't have to," Hermione spat.
Skeeter looked at her, as if she were surprised and smiled, showing her white teeth. "Oh, I wasn't going to." She said. Skeeter stopped, and continued to explain what had happened.
"Of course, after I heard, I snuck over and transfigured myself. I was on the widow sill of Mister Malfoy's dining room when you two were talking, but then you opened the window and flicked me aside. I snuck to the front of yard, and hid behind a bush, quickly taking a picture of your sweet, sweet moment together." She announced to them.
"I was just lucky I didn't get squashed on my way out," Skeeter continued, "Miss Granger almost stomped over me after I stashed the camera. She left in such a thunder. In fact, I thought I even saw a tiny tiny tear slip down her unpowdered cheek." Said Skeeter, in fake sadness. She pouted, but Hermione just glared at her.
Draco, surprisingly looked at Hermione, but she payed no attention to him. She only glared harder at Skeeter. "You cried?" Asked Draco, staring disbelievingly at Hermione. She ignored him. "...Why?" He asked her.
"Never you mind," Hermione seethed, staring at Skeeter, and not looking at Draco once.
"Relationship troubles? I'm sorry, I should butt out - "
"For once." Interrupted Hermione. Skeeter smiled maliciously, and stood there, staring at the two with twinkling eyes.
"Well, seeing as the conference is over, I should really get going."
"Please do - now."Draco ordered, holding Hermione off for as long as he could. She was still struggling against him, trying to get her hands on Skeeter.
Skeeter smiled at them evilly, and turned her back on the two, her heels clicking on the marble floor of the Ministry. As her foosteps died, Draco instantly let Hermione go, for he was getting very tired with the struggle of holding her down. Hermione was panting.
"You should have let me have a go at her!" Hermione yelled to him, as she stalked off in Skeeter's direction.
"And let you get charged with assault? I don't think so," Draco said, pulling her back. "Come back here, Granger!" He yelled, while tugging her sleeve. Hermione stopped and turned around, looking at him almost coldly.
"If you're just going to ask why I cried it's none of your business, so butt out," Hermione ordered, as Draco looked at her disbelievingly.
"Well excuse me for wanting to try and help you!" He yelled back at her.
"Help me? All you've been doing is messing around with my feelings!" Hermione yelled to him.
Draco looked at her blankly. "I have?"
"Nevermind," Hermione said, stalking off again. "Besides, you can't throw that in my face! I tried asking you what was wrong after the conference, but no, you had to turn the cold shoulder on me - "
"It's not like you knew why!" Draco yelled, throwing his hands in the air. Hermione turned around sharply, her hair whipping around.
"Why then?" She asked him, like it were a challenge.
"Because - because!" Draco stumbled, suddenly going abash. "It's just... the conference." Hermione looked at him expecting more. "Well - it's just what you said! About the no feelings for each other thing." Draco said, turning away and scratching his head.
"So? I have no feelings for you. What about it?" Hermione asked, even though she felt like she shouldn't have.
"It's just..." Draco turned around, a brave look on his face. "Who said that I haven't?"
They looked at each other for a moment, completely unaware of what to say. Had Draco just admitted that he had feelings for Hermione? Her mouth dropped, and she didn't even know it. She hadn't expected that answer from a tiny little fight. In fact, she hadn't expected a fight. It had happened all to fast for Hermione to realize that maybe there was the slightest chance Draco felt for her. She was surprised beyong belief.
"Wh - what?" Hermione asked him dumbly. Draco turned away from her.
"Uh - nevermind. I'm going up to my office." Draco mumbled, turning away from her again.
"No - tell me what you meant, Malfoy!" Cried Hermione, hopelessly reaching out for his arm.
"No. Just go, Granger. You've done enough."
"Malfoy!"
"Go now, Grang - "
And for about the millionth time in the day, he was interrupted. A reporter came rushing down the hall, bumping into Draco and Hermione. He said a quick apology and began screaming and ranting at the top of his lungs.
"ALL DEATH EATERS FOUND AND CAPTURED! I REPEAT, ALL DEATH EATERS FOUND AND CAPTURED! THERE ARE NO MORE REMAINING DEATH EATERS! WE'RE FREE!"
The conference room burst open with the hundreds of reporters and gathered all around that one man. He was ranting and screaming and his eyes were streaming with happy tears. Draco and Hermione looked at each other in surprise, and walked over to the crowd that had gathered across from them in the middle of the hallway.
"THEY'VE BEEN CAPTURED! EVERY SINGLE ONE! JUST NOW. WE'RE FREE!" He continued. The man fell on his knees and began weeping on the ground. Apparently the news was so happily overwhelming he couldn't handle it. Draco looked at Hermione, as if apologetic, and instead of continuing their conversation, left her, to go help the man.
Hermione sighed. Three majour things had just happened all in the course of one hour. A Press Conference had saved the charity ball, Draco had most likely confessed the fact that he had feelings for her, and every death eater that ever existed had been found and captured. She wanted more than anything for Draco to tell her what he meant in those past five minutes, but sometimes, other things were just more important. She turned around and walked right out of the Ministry.
Looks like their talk had to wait.
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TBC.
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A/N: Wow. A lot of things had happened in this chapter. like A LOT. sorry if it was to quick, or dragged on or something. and for the typo's. i read it over, many times in fact, but sometimes i miss my own in mistakes. please forgive me!
It was a bit odd, what happened, huh? Hehe xD.
ANYWAYS. Cookies to anyone who reviews!
I love you all!
Yours truly,
Sevengee/Lina.
P.S. i hope you understand the clues i was giving you guys last chapter xD.