SUMMER BEFORE YEAR 4
Hermione could barely contain her excitement. She was at the biggest Quidditch match in the wizarding world, and she was with her two best friends.
She'd done a great job avoiding the Malfoys through the entire event – almost forgetting they were there – except when Draco made fun of Ron and Harry for being seduced by the antics of the Veelas (and then she'd sort of agreed with him). He and his father had the sense to bring along earplugs and copies of the Daily Prophet, effectively avoiding the embarrassment that Harry, Ron and even Mr. Weasley were currently experiencing.
After the game, the teams filed through to greet the international Ministers of Magic and other high-ranking officials. Hermione marveled at the Bulgarian Seeker, nose still dripping with blood. "He was very brave, wasn't he?" she said to Harry and Ron.
"He's the best!" Ron gushed.
Draco Malfoy was also admiring Krum, craning his neck to get a better look at him. He'd had his poster since he was 12. I wonder if he'll sign my ticket stub?
"Not so eager, Draco, you're exposing yourself," Lucius drawled.
"Oh hush, Lucius, let the boy enjoy himself," Narcissa admonished.
Lucius rolled his eyes but yielded to his wife, as he always did.
LATER THAT EVENING
Darkness fell on the enormous camp. People grew rowdier as the night wore on, aided by firewhiskey.
Hermione yawned. "Well, I think I'll turn in," she said, leaving the glow of the bonfire where the Weasleys and Harry were gathered 'round.
Screams suddenly tore through the air. Hermione looked up to behold the Dark Mark, illuminating the treetops just beyond camp with a sickly green glow.
People were running and Apparating, grabbing whatever they could carry in their haste to get away. Mr. Weasley leapt up. "Kids, stay here with Molly."
But Harry, Ron and Hermione were already racing toward the trees. They stumbled through the forest, following the sight of the terrified Muggles, spinning slowly in the air.
Ron tripped on a root and went sprawling.
"Typical," a snide voice said. "When you're not inserting your foot in your mouth you're tripping over it." Malfoy emerged from behind a bush, hair bright against the shadows. "Come to see the show?"
Harry held his wand out. "I'm surprised you're not hiding under your father's cloak, Malfoy. But wait – he's one of the cowards in masks, isn't he?"
Malfoy's face twisted in fury. "Don't call my father a coward, Potter."
"Gets a kick out of torturing innocent Muggles, does he? Your entire family is despicable. Tell me, when are you going to be the one in a mask?"
"SHUT UP POTTER! You don't know anything!" He breathed heavily, trying to control himself. Finally he composed his face into its usual sneering stoicism.
"As entertaining as this little chat has been, Potter, I'm surprised you feel you have the time." Malfoy nodded at Hermione.
"What're you on about, Malfoy?" Ron asked.
"It's obvious, isn't it? They're after Muggles. Do you really think it's safe for her to be here right now? Unless you'd like to show off your knickers to the whole camp," he said to Hermione. "Merlin knows we could use the laugh."
Harry and Ron glanced at Hermione nervously.
"WELL?" Malfoy spat. "Are you deaf or just stupid? Get your precious Mudblood out of here."
"Come on," Harry mumbled, shooting a final glare at Malfoy.
Draco POV
Draco watched the Muggles spin in the air with a horrified fascination. His father wasn't part of this, was he?
To be honest, Draco didn't know. He couldn't imagine that he'd take pleasure in tormenting an innocent family. Even if they ARE Muggles. He wanted to believe that for all his prejudices, Lucius Malfoy was better than that. That the Malfoys were better than that.
Nausea swept through him and he turned away from the spectacle, relieved to see Aurors, along with Mr. Weasley, march toward the group of Death Eaters. Most of the masked figures started Apparating or running away into the dark of the trees, leaving the Muggle family's saviors to set about erasing their memories.
He felt a sudden surge of jealousy. Ron Weasley never had to wonder if his father was the one hiding behind a mask, torturing people.
Draco loved his father, revered him, even – but lately he'd begun to doubt whether he agreed with everything he said and did. Especially when he considered Hermione. Did he really believe that she didn't belong in the wizarding world? Mudblood or not, she was the brightest witch at Hogwarts, and he couldn't exactly say that she was inferior to all Purebloods. Crabbe, Goyle and Pansy immediately sprang to mind.
He fervently hoped that Potter and Weasley had taken his advice and gotten her as far from camp as possible.
Hermione POV
Hermione moved swiftly through the woods, hoping that Ron and Harry were near her. The darkness closed around them, lit only by the sickly green of the Dark Mark. Shouts and screams created an atmosphere of chaos.
Before she knew it, Hermione was lost. Instead of escaping the woods she had somehow plunged further into them. "Harry…Ron," she called, spinning around desperately.
They were nowhere to be found. Heart pounding, she held her wand out in front of her.
She was about to call out again when a hand reached around to clasp over her mouth. She let out a muffled scream.
"Shh, quiet girl."
Lucius Malfoy pushed his black hood down and stared fiercely at her.
"What in Merlin's name are you doing out here?" he hissed. "Why is it that you and your idiot friends always seem to find yourselves in the wrong place at the wrong time?"
"I – we don't –" she started.
"Come," he cut her off roughly. "The others will be along any minute."
He kept a tight grip on his arm as he steered her out of the woods.
"Ow," she grumbled. "Is this really necessary?"
"If any other Death Eaters see us they'll simply assume I've taken you hostage, so yes, it is necessary." He snorted. "Honestly Miss Granger. You're supposed to be smart." However, his grip loosened slightly.
He walked her back to the outskirts of the woods, making sure she was within eyeshot of the Weasley's tent. "Now go – and be sure to Portkey away as soon as possible, understand?"
She nodded.
"Good. Oh, and Miss Granger…don't think I'm unaware of who saved that Hippogriff from execution last year."
She blushed, hoping that he couldn't see it in the darkness.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," she said archly.
He rolled his eyes. "Mmm. You Gryffindors are all such terrible liars. Good night, Miss Granger. We really do have to stop meeting like this."
LATER THAT NIGHT
"Hermione, there you are!" Harry and Ron exclaimed, running to her as soon as she neared the tent. "I'm so sorry! I thought you were right behind us, and when we turned around you were gone."
"I'm fine. It was dark is all. I just got turned around."
"Did anything happen? You didn't see any Death Eaters, did you?" Ron asked.
"No," she said, feeling slightly guilty for lying to her friends. She didn't feel like launching into an explanation. She was exhausted, and she also remembered her promise to Lucius. "Ron, where does your dad keep his Portkeys? We need to get back."
"Good call. I've about had it with camping," Ron said, dipping into the tent to retrieve the bag of Portkeys.
When they reached the Burrow, Hermione was ready to collapse. Her mind was clouded with confusion, and she felt the beginnings of a headache. Why did Lucius Malfoy save me AGAIN? she wondered angrily. Not that she wasn't grateful, but she was really starting to resent owing the Malfoys. If there was one family in all the Wizarding world that she did not want to be indebted to, it was those poncy Purebloods.
HOGWARTS, YEAR 4: FALL
Hermione startled as Draco waved a Daily Prophet in Ron's face while they were walking back from dinner. She grimaced when saw the headline: Ministry Employee Fails to Fix Muggle Toilets, complete with a soaking wet Arthur Weasley attempting to defend himself from a transfigured plunger, which was biting at him like an enraged dog.
"Just when I think your family can't sink any lower, you prove me wrong," Draco taunted.
Ron flushed a deep red and stood up.
Hermione and Harry grabbed his arms. "Don't listen to him, Ron," Hermione begged. "He's just trying to get a rise out of you."
"It's a wonder your mother hasn't left him out of shame," Draco continued. "Maybe she knows no one else would have her."
Ron went purple at this.
"You know your mother, Malfoy?" Harry said. "Does she always look like she's got a bad smell under her nose, or was that just because you were with her?"
"DON'T TALK ABOUT MY MOTHER LIKE THAT POTTER," Draco yelled, whipping out his wand.
Harry gave him a rude gesture and turned away.
"Scoreng-" Malfoy started to curse Harry, but there was a flash of light and he was replaced by a pure white ferret.
"You. Cowardly. Piece. Of. Malfoy. Filth." Professor Moody punctuated each word with a jerk of his wand as the ferret bounced up and down in place, squeaking in distress. "Cursing someone while their back is turned! I'll teach you curse someone when their back is turned," Moody muttered furiously.
"Professor, he'll be hurt!" Hermione tried to cut in amidst the raucous laughter of students. A crowd had gathered now.
Professor McGonagall pushed through them to see what the commotion was. "Alastor!" she exclaimed. "Is that – is that a student?!"
"Not to worry, Minerva," Moody said, "Just doing a little interactive teaching."
"Finitus Revelio!" McGonagall yelled, and the ferret transformed back into Draco Malfoy, whose pale face was bright red. Tears of pain and embarrassment flooded his eyes before he shoved himself up and stumbled away.
"Professor Moody, we never use Transfiguration as a punishment!"
Now that it was over, Harry, Ron and Hermione continued to Gryffindor Tower, Ron stopping every so often to clutch his sides and laugh hysterically.
"Ahhahaha, that was the best thing I've ever seen," he said between guffaws. "'Malfoy the Amazing Bouncing Ferret'…Merlin, it'll go down in Hogwarts history."
"Yes, well, I'm glad McGonagall put a stop to it," Hermione frowned. "He could have been seriously hurt."
"Oh who cares, Hermione?" Ron said. "Can't you just let me enjoy this?"
"Well, alright," she smiled. "He did look quite natural as a ferret."
"He was born to it," Harry said with a laugh.
WINTER
"You know, Granger, it's unbecoming to lie."
"Excuse me, Malfoy?"
"There's a rumor going 'round that you have a date to the Yule Ball."
"And…?"
"And it's obviously made up. What's the matter, felt left out because no one would take you?"
She rolled her eyes and went back to her essay.
"As a matter of fact, Malfoy, I do have a date."
He snorted. "I doubt that very much. Who is it then?"
"None of your business," she said archly. "Why do you care, anyway?"
"I don't," he said hurriedly. "I'm just surprised to find Gryffindor's Golden Girl caught in a blatant lie, that's all. You're jeopardizing your Prefect chances, Granger."
"Whatever Malfoy. Don't you have a Quidditch game to lose or something?"
"First of all, I am a GREAT Quidditch player," he growled.
"Of course you are. Just not as great as Harry," she smirked.
"I - I - rgggh. I hate you Granger."
"I hate you too Malfoy." She gave him a cheerful wave as he stormed out of the library.
YULE BALL
Hermione smoothed her silken dress robes down as she and Viktor Krum waited for the doors of the Great Hall to open.
"Get in position everyone," Miss McGonagall said, "we're about to start."
Viktor offered Hermione his arm and gave her a smile. "You look beautiful Hermy-own," he whispered.
She smiled and straightened her back, shaking off her nervousness. I don't care what anyone thinks. Tonight I'm going to enjoy myself.
The doors swung open and a pool of light flooded over her and Viktor. They began to walk to the center of the dance floor, Hermione gracing the rows of students to the right and left with a bright, newly straightened smile.
"Oy, have you seen Hermione?" Ron asked Harry, craning his neck to glance around. "Maybe she was too sad to come since she didn't have a date."
"Um, Ron?"
"What Harry?"
"She's right there…" he pointed toward Viktor Krum, who was leading a very pretty girl with sleek tresses down the line.
"Where? I don't see – Hermione?!" Ron yelped.
Further on, Draco was watching the procession with barely disguised boredom.
His eyes landed on the girl next to Krum, and his jaw went slack. Hermione must have noticed his expression, because as she passed him she raised an eyebrow at him as if to say, 'See? I told you I had a date.'
Beside him, Pansy's hand tightened on his arm. "Is that – is that – the Mudblood? With VIKTOR KRUM?!"
Draco watched Hermione glide through the first dance. While Krum was stiff and awkward, Hermione was light, graceful and (as much as he hated to admit it) absolutely lovely.
He barely noticed when they opened the dance floor to other couples.
"Drakie? Drakie? DRACO!"
"What Pansy?"
"Let's have a dance," she begged, hugging his arm to her. Draco sighed. "Sure, ok." If there was one thing his mother taught him, it was that you do not ignore your date. Even if she's the most annoying person in the room. He noticed one of the Parvati twins gesturing angrily at Ron, who was glowering at the dance floor with crossed arms. Well, aside from Weaselbee.
He guided Pansy with practiced ease, having been forced to take dance lessons early in life. He tried to pay attention to her, but couldn't stop his eyes from wandering to Granger as she laughed in Krum's arms. His stomach twisted.
He let go a breath of relief when they finally went to sit down and Krum left her side, presumably to get drinks. He led Pansy back to their table across the hall, where Blaise Zabini, Theodore Nott and Crabbe and Goyle were waiting.
"Decent ball," Blaise remarked. "I have to say, Granger cleans up well, doesn't she?"
Draco glared.
"What are you talking about Blaise?" Pansy sniffed. "She's still the same disgusting, bushy-haired know-it-all."
"Careful Pansy, one might think you were jealous," Theo said.
"I am NOT jealous of a Mudblood!"
"Well, maybe you should be," Blaise smirked, winking at Draco.
Jaw set, Draco stood up. "I'm going to get more butterbeer."
"Ooh, get me a pumpkin juice," Pansy said.
He was walking back to the table when he heard Granger explode at Weasley.
"HOW DARE YOU RON! For your information, Viktor hasn't asked me ONE QUESTION about Harry or the next task, not ONE…"
"Viktor? He hasn't told you to call him 'Vicky' yet?"
Hermione's face went red.
Weasley's in for it now, Draco thought happily, taking a sip of his butterbeer.
"Er, Ron, I think we should go," Harry cut in.
"YES YOU SHOULD. Get out of my sight, both of you!" Hermione yelled. Tears were streaming down her face now, and she swiped at them furiously. "You've ruined everything Ron." She turned and ran out of the Great Hall, past a bewildered Krum and Draco, who was finding the situation much less funny. He really hated it when women cried. If his mother got even remotely teary, he melted.
"Draco! Draco! What are you doing? Come sit down!" Pansy called.
He went back to his table and handed Pansy the pumpkin juice before moving away again.
"Where are you going?" she pouted.
"Loo," he said.
Hermione POV
Hermione walked through the castle, near-blinded by tears and fighting the urge to hex every happy couple she saw. Eventually she made it to the Third Floor, which was blessedly empty. She hoisted herself up into a window alcove and slipped off her heels. Looking out over the snow sparkling under the stars, she felt herself unwind a little. The tears were drying on her cheeks. Ugh, Ron. He was always so thoughtless. And how dare he think that she would ever betray Harry for Viktor? "Stupid Ron," she said aloud.
"Granger?" A voice called from down the corridor. She stiffened and fumbled for her wand, hoping to cast a quick Illusion Charm to hide herself. She had just begun to whisper the words when Malfoy's white-blonde head appeared in her peripheral. Hermione squeezed her eyes shut.
"Not seeing something doesn't make it go away," Malfoy said.
"Well at least I won't have to look at your ugly face."
"Harsh Granger. And woefully inaccurate. We both know I'm irresistibly attractive."
She actually started laughing at this, throwing her head back against the wall. It took her a moment to calm down.
Malfoy scowled. "Are you done?"
She sighed, wiping her eyes. "Thank you Malfoy. I really needed that tonight. Now," she continued. "I suppose you came all this way to make fun of me for leaving the ball in tears. Go ahead then."
When he didn't say anything, she finally turned her head to look at him fully.
Is he actually nervous? She wondered. His eyes were downcast, and there appeared to be a flush to his pale cheeks.
"Well?" she asked.
"I just – I guess, I don't know – areyouok?" he mumbled.
"What was that? I couldn't quite catch the last bit."
He sighed. "Never mind. So, what happened? Did Krum finally get a good look at you and decide to dance with someone less bookish and boring?" He almost cringed as he said it. Even so, his voice lacked venom.
Hermione cocked her head. He still wouldn't meet her eyes.
"Well, you nailed it Malfoy. That's exactly what happened."
His head snapped up. "What?" he asked stupidly.
"I said: that's exactly what happened. Almost to the letter. Except he also mentioned that I was a pathetic know-it-all. Go figure. Anyway, you should probably get back and tell all the Slytherins so you can have a good laugh at the Mudblood's expense." Malfoy flinched at her use of the word. What is she doing?
"What's the matter, Malfoy? It's not like you haven't used that word before."
Feeling more than a little confused, Draco turned to leave, hesitating before saying: "By the way, you shouldn't cry over the likes of Weasley. You're better than him."
It was her turn to stare in shock.
"Excuse me?" she asked.
"You heard me, Granger. And tell Weasley that next time, he should ask you to the ball himself, and save everyone a dragon's hoard of drama."
With that, he was gone. Hermione listened as his footsteps faded away and pondered her evening. It definitely hadn't turned out as planned, but she felt strangely…happy. And since when did Malfoy think a Muggleborn was better than anyone?
Draco POV
"Long loo break," Blaise and Theo greeted Draco when he got back to the Yule Ball.
"Do you have a point?" Draco drawled. "I just needed some air."
"First of all, your date has danced with not one, but two boys from Beauxbatons since you left, and secondly, when does going out for air entail running after crying Gryffindors?" Blaise asked.
Draco's face froze.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh come off it, mate," Theo said. "We've known you since you were 3. It's obvious you're attracted to Granger."
"That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard," Draco said coldly.
"Is it?" Blaise's eyes were narrowed.
"Yes," Draco insisted. "Including the time Theo said that Crabbe might pass Arithmancy."
Blaise snorted.
"Look," Theo said. "You're our mate. We're not trying to attack you for this, but you need to be careful." He looked around furtively before saying: "I know you're not fooled by this ridiculous display of school unity. A storm is brewing, and if any of the – wrong sort – find out that you have feelings for a Mudblood, especially one who happens to be best friends with Harry Potter, it will go badly for you."
"You think I don't know that?" Draco spat. "Nothing is going on between me and Granger."
"Maybe not," said Blaise, "but that doesn't change the fact that you like her. It's dangerous. Not just for you, but for her. And as Potter's best friend, I think we can agree that she has enough trouble in her life."
Draco opened his mouth, but then sighed in defeat. As much as he hated to admit it, Blaise and Theo were right.
EARLY SPRING
With the second task approaching, Hermione was once again back to worrying about Harry. It was all-consuming, this worry. She was smart enough to realize that whoever put Harry's name in that goblet did not want him to survive, and she was terrified that the next task would be his last. She badgered him constantly about the golden egg, and was even tempted to steal it from him and figure out the clue herself, cheating be damned.
Harry was finally given a break in the form of Cedric Diggory, and Hermione and Ron were called into Dumbledore's office to be briefed on their role in the second task.
A week later, Hermione waited to be put into a magical sleep, trying to summon her Gryffindor courage. She hated the idea of being helpless. She was also nervous about Viktor's feelings for her. I barely know him, she thought. How can I possibly be the person that matters most to him?
She didn't have time to stress over it further – Dumbledore pointed his wand and she drifted away.
Draco POV
Sandwiched between Blaise Zabini and Pansy Parkinson, Draco watched the second task unfold. It was freezing in the stands, but he'd had the sense to cast a warming charm. Unfortunately, an icy sweat was forming under his thick woolen robes regardless. He shivered. How in the hell did Granger get dragged into this mess, he wondered furiously. Bloody Krum. Draco had torn up his poster of his former favorite Quidditch star after the Yule Ball, but was now wishing he'd kept a few scraps to set on fire. And why in Salazar's name did Krum think that the bushy-haired know-it-all was the one thing that mattered most to him? It was insane! No one falls in love that fast. And with GRANGER of all people?! She was insufferable. Her hair was ridiculous – well, ok, it looked good at the Yule Ball, but that was the only time it was even remotely presentable. Her eyes were an entirely boring shade of brown, and she was always weighed down with an obscene amount of books, like some kind of homeless librarian.
"Drakie, are you ok?" Pansy asked. "You're sweating."
"I'm fine," he said tightly. "Just cast the warming charm too strong."
"Really?" Blaise frowned. "Feels fine to me."
"Well bully for you then," Draco sneered.
Blaise raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
Where is that fool Krum? Draco wondered, scanning the water anxiously. Dumbledore wouldn't let them just die down there, would he? But he had no problem with putting Potter in danger year after year, so maybe he would…
He pushed his hat up and wiped the sweat from his brow.
Merlin, he was acting ridiculous. Why do I even care?
He didn't. He didn't care. He would just miss making fun of the little Mudblood if she died, that was all.
Yes, that had to be it.
Ripples suddenly appeared on the surface of the lake, and Draco stood up with the rest of the spectators, grateful that his height allowed him a better view. Krum burst out of the water, carrying a very limp, very wet Granger in his arms.
Draco almost collapsed back into the stands. Instead, he took a few steadying breaths, rejoicing in the sight of the girl, shivering and coughing on the wooden platform. She was alive. A shard of anger twisted in his heart as he watched Krum tenderly wrap a blanket around her shoulders. Idiot, he thought. She wouldn't BE wet and cold if you hadn't put her in this position in the first place! He snorted derisively.
"What's wrong Drakie?"
"Nothing Pansy. And I hate it when you call me that."
Blaise gave him a knowing look. Draco quickly schooled his face into a mask of indifference.
LATE SPRING
Hermione tore up the Daily Prophet in a fury. Oooh, that horrid Skeeter woman!
"I'll make her pay, I swear…"
"Talking to yourself now?" Malfoy smirked, leaning against a bookshelf.
"Leave me alone, ferret. I'm really not in the mood."
His smirk faded when she used the now-familiar insult. Merlin, he was never going to live that down. "Shut up, Granger."
"Hit a sore spot, did I?" It was her turn to smirk. "Why don't you bounce yourself out of here before I help you remember that incident in vivid detail?"
He scowled, but stood his ground. "I just came to congratulate you on your romantic conquests. Weasley, Potter and Krum – my my, Granger. You're getting quite the reputation."
Hermione cheeks burned. "You know as well as I do that it's all lies from that awful Rita Skeeter."
"Yes, she does seem to be bugging you lately, doesn't she?" he said with emphasis. "Being a right pest, one could say."
Hermione narrowed her eyes at him. "What are you on about?"
He strolled away with a knowing smirk.
"Well, nice chatting Granger. Next time you see Skeeter, tell her to buzz off, won't you?"
"Oh Merlin!" Hermione exclaimed, realization finally dawning on her. So THAT'S how she's been getting all those 'inside scoops'." It made sense. And once again, she had a Malfoy to thank for helping her. They really are the strangest family. She shook her head. No matter. She had better things to think about – like exacting revenge from that pestilent little dung beetle.