AN: Behold, the multiple upload! Fear me and despair! ... or love and rejoice? Yeah, that's an option too. :P

Chapter 13

"Severus, brother."

Lucius clasped his arm and pulled the Potions Master into a brief, brotherly hug. A pair couldn't be more contrasted than them, Lucius in his pale silvers and yellows, Severus in his black. One's hands soft and manicured in wealth and the other one's stained, calloused, and scarred from his work.

Still, they were friends, and Severus was genuinely fond of the older man. He had an underlying violence that he could commiserate with, but was also a good and faithful friend.

"A school night visit?" Lucius quirked a brow. "It wouldn't have to do with Draco, would it?"

Severus gave a curt nod. "I had thought you taught him better manners, Lucius. The boy has earned the personal ire of the Headmaster."

The pleasantness sank through the luxury marble flooring as Lucius' eyes turned dark. "Come, then. We will discuss this in my office."

By office, Severus was sure he meant simply his entertaining office. It had no important work, no vital information, but it had cigars, brandy, and a desk to make him seem of importance. And no dark artifacts in sight.

And … ah, yes, that's where they were headed.

When they'd sat down and closed the door, Lucius motioned for him to speak.

"You've undoubtedly heard of the muggleborn 11-year-old who made her way into the third-year class?"

Lucius nodded curtly. "Dumbledore's doing?"

"Partially, but also mine."

Lucius had his game face on, certainly, as he gave nothing away.

Severus tilted his head thoughtfully. "Mostly for my advantage, I admit. The girl has the knowledge and skills, no doubt, to be a third-year, but more importantly she's been so immersed in her own magic that she hasn't attained the stabilization of her peers and can't quite control it when she'd upset. She's never been told not to use it and so has never learned to control it properly. Having her become regularly frustrated from her potential could have been explosive. The others would have moved her forward eventually without me for that reason alone and so it works in my favour to point it out early. Put my name on the act of goodwill, as it were."

"I see," Lucius said with tight lips. "And?"

"Your son seems to take offense to it quite extremely," he pursed his own lips. "Called her a 'mudblood' in front of the whole school, twice. And assaulted her; he tried to run her over with his broom during flying lessons."

Lucius closed his eyes. It was the only sign that the Malfoy patriarch was angry. "I see."

"During all this, he also picked a fight with the both Longbottom and Potter, two of Dumbledore's favourites," Severus continued, building on the main offense with the seriousness of what happened. "And the Headmaster was paying attention enough to arrive on the scene personally at that point."

Lucius' eyes snapped up to his. "What was the punishment?"

"It was not conventional," Severus drawled. "Miss Granger being what she is – muggleborn, powerful, teacher's pet – was deemed a perfect chance to show your son his error; they are on a magical tether until Draco, 'learns the lesson Miss Granger can teach him.'"

"To a girl?!"

Severus raised a hand. "During the day. From what Dumbledore explained, Hogwarts releases them to return to their dormitories prior to curfew and draws them together when they are both in the Great Hall for breakfast. I don't doubt Draco will test Hogwarts on that, though."

Lucius snarled. "Unacceptable! What is that old coot thinking?! I will be there first thing in the morning Severus. My son will not be made to suffer such indignity."

"Steady, friend," Severus placated the man. "Yes, it's not ideal, but there is something to be gained here."

"Gained?" Lucius sputtered. "Imagine the ridicule from the other Houses?!"

"Imagine the many, many people who think your son is now a vulgar muggle-hating boy," he hissed in warning. Lucius stilled. "And then imagine where they think he learned such behaviour. You being under the imperious curse does not cover the period wherein you raised your son. The dispersions on your character, Lucius, let alone his …"

The blonde patriarch sucked in a breath. "There's nothing wrong with our views."

"The Wizarding World as it is does not agree," Severus pointed out. "We lost, Lucius, and so they write the rules and the history. However, that is not the point. The point is Miss Granger; she is currently tethered to your son and is, as of right now, the best option to restore the repute of both you and your son that will no doubt be damaged heavily once the hundreds of student owls arrive home."

Lucius leaned back in his chair, eyes assessing. "What did you have in mind?"

Dear Heavenly Father,

Please help me to be patient today, and to not kill Draco Malfoy. He is mean and hurtful and rude, and nothing I say can change that so can you please give me a thicker skin today? I'll try and smile it all off, but I'm going to need your help to be kind because this boy really doesn't deserve it.

But dad always says to be kind to everyone, especially bullies. We never know what someone else is going through. So help me be kind and obey both you and my father.

In the name of Jesus Christ,

Amen

Hermione shrieked when she entered the Great Hall the next morning. Hogwarts' magic rose from the stones and grabbed at her, pulling her and Malfoy together immediately. Draco Malfoy was standing in front of her again with eyes just as loathing as the previous day.

"Erm, good morning?" Hermione tried with a tense smile.

"We're actually sitting with Slytherin today," Malfoy ordered, spinning his back to her. "Come on. I eat quickly and I will not be waiting for you to finish."

I tried, Hermione thought and followed Malfoy to the Slytherin table.

Anthony was there, at least, and he'd brought over Cedric to keep her company. It made Hermione laugh at how his Slytherin protector took care of her and Cedric, even taking it on himself to put many hearty helpings of eggs, oatmeal, and fruit in front of his Hufflepuff.

"Skinny thing," was his only muttered explanation, but Hermione and Cedric shared a mirthful look.

About midway through breakfast, she did realize something. "Hey, did Malfoy borrow any of our books last night?"

The third-years around her all shook their head, and Malfoy scoffed. "Why would I need to do that?"

"To do the readings for class, Malfoy," she frowned. "I know you're probably not getting graded on it, but I thought you might want to –"

"Stop right there," Malfoy interrupted, a sneer plastered on his face. "I'm definitely not getting graded for this, and I'm not doing extra work just because Dumbledore is snitty with me. My father will be here either today or tomorrow and the spell will get taken off so I can finally be rid of you. Until then? You're not my keeper."

"Draco," one of the girls next to her said, "what exactly do you think will happen in class today?"

The boy in question examined his fingernails. "Does it matter?"

"Yes, it does!" Multiple people hissed, shocking the boy out of his nonchalance. "Everyone knows why you were stuck to her, including the teachers." "They're going to be relentless!" "You'll lose us points again!"

"How were you going to prove yourself better if you didn't even study?" Blaise Zabini chimed in, looking endlessly amused by his friend's predicament. "What was your plan, Drake?"

At the perceived slight, Draco upturned his nose. "It's not as if classes here are difficult."

"So no plan," Blaise grinned at Hermione. "Tell me how it goes, will you? Especially in Potions."

"Hey!"

When she looked at the situation, she guessed it was a little funny. Fred and George and even Lee had been making her feel better all last night, joking around, and now even Blaise was laughing. Maybe she should just smile. Smile … but be kind, she thought looking at Draco and his perpetually angry appearance. Cause I know it's not fun being laughed at.

"You can use my books in class, if you want," Hermione offered kindly. "My potions book is a little messy though."

"Sloppy stirring?" he sniffed.

"No," she shot back, "I write in it. When I study. Look, Malfoy, we could get along, you know? Do you have to make it difficult?"

He smirked. "Of course."

Hermione wanted to huff, but instead forced herself to smile and roll her eyes instead. One of these days she would get through to Malfoy. So she jammed some eggs in her mouth and went to take out a book when Anthony's hand stopped her.

"Don't."

His eyes flashed to her nearly full glass of pumpkin juice and Malfoy's too close hands, and her eyes widened.

"He-"

"Slytherin."

That one word had her close her schoolbag tightly shut and tucked under her robe. She knew what Anthony meant – you have to be careful with precious things around people who hate you. Anthony wanted to make sure she was careful today. To be Slytherin, to think everything through and see all the risks.

"I'm ready." Malfoy stood up pompously and slung his exceptionally light bad over his shoulder with an imperious look at her. "Well, come on then. Which class do you have first?"

"We have Herbology," one of the other third-years said. "You want to wait a minute and leave with the rest of us?"

He sneered. "No. Come on, Granger."

Hermione made to stand, but Anthony caught her wrist. "No."

She smiled at the gentle boy. "It really doesn't matter, does it, that he wants to go early? It's not worth fighting over."

Anthony considered, hand still wrapped around her wrist, before looked at Cedric for something. The Hufflepuff gave grin.

"Sure, big guy."

Her wrist was freed and both boys rose with her, much to Draco's anger. Hermione was so happy though. She had friends that wanted to help her enough to come with her.

"Thank you!" She hugged them quickly. "If Professor Sprout's there, we can ask about groups. I might have to work alone with Draco if we can't extend our group to four. And we can pick our plants first!"

"Teacher's pet," Draco muttered next to her, and she turned to him with a beaming smile.

"Of course!" she pretended not to take offense. "It's like being a know-it-all; what's wrong with getting on with teachers or wanting to know everything?"

Draco gaped and went quiet when his insult didn't land. A hand clapped on her shoulder and she saw Anthony had put it there to comfort her, as if he knew her smile wasn't quite entirely sincere. He was right, so she gave him a sheepish grin.

Professor Sprout was indeed in the greenhouse when the group arrived, and she gave them all a beaming smile.

"Good morning! Welcome, welcome. Mr. Malfoy, I had hoped we wouldn't be seeing you today," she leveled a pitying smile at the Slytherin. "Well, no sense in dwelling on it. I daresay a little work in the dirt will help to clear any muggy mind."

Hermione smiled at Draco, trying to show she wasn't angry either, but he was resolutely looking away from her and her smile quickly fell. Oh well.

"Well, I'm glad you're here early; you can help set up the stations for today. One puffaplant per bench, please, and watch that the pods don't fall."

Hermione and Cedric jumped forward to grab the pots and start putting them on the workstations slowly so they avoided jostling the plants. Anthony moved and grabbed the right tools to set out. When Professor Sprout saw Draco just standing there, she pointed to the hose and water cans.

"We'll need those for today," she prompted the boy. "Only about half-way full. Go on, that's a lad."

Hermione watched out of the corner of her eye, wondering if the proud boy would actually listen to their teacher. It took a few seconds, but eventually the little heir dropped his bag at the closest workstation and did as he was asked. Her heart warmed. Maybe he could learn.

That opinion seemed wrong during the lesson though. He didn't want to touch the fertilizer and so only used the tiny little trough to transfer it by the tablespoon. Then he refused to wear the face mask because Hermione had told him to and then sneezed so violently most of their puffapods fell off the plant and scattered across the floor of the greenhouse where they instantly took root and blossomed.

He earned a D in class and left the greenhouses in a storm, dirty and angry.

"It has nothing to do with magic," he argued. "A Malfoy would never dig in the dirt for a living. Look at me! It's a disgrace."

"I can clean off your clothes with a spell," she offered, but was again refused.

"As if you could do it properly," Draco sneered. "These robes are of very fine quality, I'm not having you ruin them."

So she forced back the anger that was threatening to overtake her kind calm and led him to DADA and to their own desk right by where the twins sat, opening her textbook right in the middle so she could share with him.

He didn't make it through that class either. He couldn't produce the ventus charm and muttered angrily about Professor Quirrell being like Neville Longbottom, since they both had a stutter. It was the first time Hermione had seem Professor Quirrell angry. He called Draco up to the front and asked if he could cast protego. He gave Draco a chance to cast it, but then he petrified him nonverbally and cast melofors, encasing his head in a pumpkin.

Before lunch, the pair went to the Hospital Wing and had Madame Pomphrey, erm, remove their need to use the lav. Madame Pomphrey did clean Draco off as well, both of the Herbology fertilizer and the pumpkin guts in his hair.

At lunch, the twins dragged them over to the Gryffindor table again. Draco didn't know not to drink anything he hadn't poured at their home table, and upon taking a drink of his pumpkin juice grew an elephant's trunk right where his nose was. The Gryffindor table laughed and Malfoy tooted angrily at the Weasley twins, who we laughing and high-fiving.

Hermione wasn't sure it was funny to be changed against your will and then laughed at. But she knew Fred and George didn't mean anything by it. So, bravely, she took the unfinished glass of pumpkin juice (decidedly not thinking about how unhygienic it was to share cups) and took a large gulp.

"'Mione, wait!" Fred didn't stop it in time.

Her nose grew out painlessly (she'd been worried they'd hurt Malfoy, so she was glad to realize they hadn't) and she had an elephant nose to trumpet as well. She laughed at all their stupefied faces even though it came out as a noisy honk. Fred and George lost it then, laughing their heads off.

"Spitfire can prank too!"

From the Head Table the staff watched the scene play out cautiously. A few of them wondered whether to step in when the young Malfoy was potioned unknowingly, but Albus stopped them and they all watched the scene play out.

Severus couldn't believe it. He had expected, of course, for the twin pranksters to avenge their friend. He was carrying various potions in his robes to help with Itching Powder, boil hexes, and other standard but painful prank fare. An elephant face was a new one the pair must have found or made on their own.

He hadn't expected Granger. First his godson became a figure of mockery again as he grew a snout down to his chest, but then, in the ultimate reversal, social justice-Granger made an appearance and she downed the prank potion too. Attention was diverted from Draco and suddenly those who were laughing at the Slytherin were laughing with the trumpeting girl. She'd taken all maliciousness from the joke.

"I'd say she is the perfect person for the job, isn't she, Severus?" Dumbledore twinkled at him.

And Snape couldn't say the old man was wrong. This was the second time Miss Granger had kept his godson from being mocked, and he could see the touch of relief in Draco's posture, relief and a smidge of (most likely confused) gratitude to the girl. It was a start.

Perhaps by tomorrow his godson would be ready for his father to arrive. If the foundations were set for his doubt, then the words of his father might make the boy genuinely sorry for his behaviour. He could only hope it went to plan.

He himself almost smiled when the girl grabbed an apple with her trunk and offered it to Draco, only to chuck it at the twins when he refused. Yes, it might actually work.

After a full day of trying to do the right thing, Hermione was getting very tired of being nice. Every time she tried to be kind to the Malfoy heir she was either ignored, rejected, or mocked. Lunch had been a change of pace (although the elephant nose might have prevented any insults), but the second they entered Potions it was back to more of the same.

Professor Snape had helped some by choosing a potion they'd done in their previous tutoring session as their potion of the day, but Malfoy insisted on doing nearly everything and even tried to tell her the colour was off because of something she did. It was the only class he didn't mess up spectacularly, but he still couldn't keep his tongue quiet and kept insulting her. She would have been in tears if Professor Snape didn't intervene and verbally eviscerate his godson. That helped a little.

Of course Malfoy was nowhere near her level in charms and ended up setting her robe on fire (thankfully not her hair), and then in Runes their Professor clearly had decided not to treat Malfoy any differently then the other students, with all the expectations that came with it for the difficult subject. He was assigned the seat next to her that Cedric or Tara normally took at the back of the class and forced to work with her on the translations. Professor Babbling also took points from him for not doing the reading and then for every answer he got wrong in class.

All in all, Slytherin were down 70 points in one day thanks to one Draco Malfoy.

The boy in question was seething, and she was unlucky enough to be tied to him. Hermione wanted to avoid his insults and so she left the class as quickly as possible, being the first out the door and dragging the whiny boy behind her as she hurried to the Great Hall for dinner.

"I missed all of last weeks classes, I can't be expected to have that assignment ready by tomorrow!" He was stomping towards the staircase behind her. "And so what if I got a few wrong?! Runes have nothing to do with the power of your magic!"

"Charms did!" she snapped, fuming. "Why don't you just admit you're not ready to be a third-year?!"

"You can't speak to me that way!" he yelled. When she didn't respond, she heard him come up behind her. "I'm speaking to you! I said, –" He shoved her, and she stumbled forward, "you can't–Granger!"

He had shoved her too close to the staircase … and the stairs weren't at their level yet, they'd only just begun moving towards the landing! She tried to catch herself on the stone bannisters on either side, but she really was too clumsy and skidded right over the edge.

"AAAHH–ugh!" Hermione was yanked short just a few feet down. Hogwarts had tethered her to Malfoy, and Malfoy was holding on for dear life above her, trying not to get pulled down too.

"Malfoy, please, please, don't let go!" she cried, turning in the tether to look up at the red-faced boy. "Hold on!"

Below them, her scream had attracted the attention of multiple students who cried out in horror. That was nothing compared to the fear she was feeling. She was too high up with nothing but stone underneath her. She tried not to look down, tried to look only at the red-faced Malfoy. Another few third-years from their class were now holding Draco in place too, determined not to let her fall either.

"Someone get a Professor!"

A few tried to reach her, but she was too far away. Every failed attempt made her cry.

"Hey, hey, don't cry, we're here to help," one of the third years promised. "We're going to levitate you up."

A few third-years finally got their wands out and cast the spell, bringing her upwards. But she was swaying in the air and felt like she was falling again. She panicked, flailing her arms.

"Wait, don't!"

Her panicked struggling made them drop her again, and she let out another piercing scream. She was so glad the Hogwarts staircases had stopped moving when she fell, because she didn't want that giant stone piece coming at her right now.

"Hermione!" Cedric was above her now, trying to smile comfortingly. "We can levitate you, but you have to stay calm, okay? Can you stay still while we try again?"

Hermione nodded. This time she remained still as she could, but her crying did shake the spell a few times and she had to try very hard not to panic when she dropped a few inches. The set of third-years managed to lift her up and over the ledge. She landed on her feet, but was shaking so badly her knees gave out and she crashed onto the stone floor. Cedric was next to her in a second, his school robe and arm around her shoulder as he tucked her close. Tara came to her other side, stroking her hair and whispering comforts to her.

"It's okay, you're safe, you're okay now."

"WHAT HAPPENED HERE?!"

Professor Babbling arrived on the scene and saw a few third-years still holding on to Draco Malfoy, a shaking and pale Miss Granger on the floor, and several horrified students.

"Malfoy pushed her off!" "She nearly fell!" "He tried to kill her!"

All the third-years who had seen the incident tried to speak at once, but Professor Babbling cut the off and came to Hermione's side.

"Miss Granger, are you alright?" Her voice was gentle.

"Yes-s, ma'am," she sobbed. "I just can't s-shaking, I'm-m s-sorry-y-y."

The Professor's eyes narrowed. "Don't apologize for something that was not your fault. Now, what happened from your perspective."

"He d-d-didn't try to push me off-ff," Hermione quickly said. "H-he was just-t angry, and shoved me a li-li-little. We we-were just too close to the stai-ai-airs. I'm-m lucky we we-we-were tethered-d. I could have died."

Professor Babbling summoned a handkerchief for her and Hermione gratefully wiped her face and blew her nose. She still couldn't stop the tears, but her shaking was going down.

"You would not have," Professor Babbling reassured her. "The staircases move in a pattern, meaning you would have only been dropped a single floor. You would have been injured, yes, but Hogwarts herself would have caught you. No one has died falling from the staircase in a hundred years. There's a dear, it's alright.

"Mr. Malfoy," Professor Babbling stood up and looked over to the extremely pale blond, "is her account the truth? You were angry, and accidentally pushed Miss Granger off the edge of the staircase?"

The entire third-year class rounded on him and Draco nodded, face nearly as pale as Hermione's and nearly as shaky.

Professor Babbling's eyes narrowed. "It seems that you can't stop yourself from nearly harming Miss Granger. Yes, Mr. Malfoy, the staff were told about what happened in your flying lessons. For the second time in two days, you've nearly sent this girl to the Hospital Wing!"

Hermione had forgotten about the day before. She hadn't been dangling off a ledge, but he had tried to run her over with his broomstick. The Professor was right, Draco really had done this twice in two days, just because he was angry. She shuddered and buried her face in Cedric's shoulder.

"This is a serious matter. We will be heading to the Headmaster's office where he and your Head of House will decide what to do. Come along, young man."

Cedric protested, "Hermione's not ready to move, yet, Professor! She's still shaking like a leaf."

"I'm ok-okay now," she sniffled.

Professor Babbling rubbed her forehead. "This tether business is an annoyance. Miss Granger, can you try and stand for me?"

Hermione clutched the robe around her shoulders and wobblingly rose to her feet. She tried to return Cedric's robes, but he stopped her.

"You've been through a shock," Cedric told her, "and you're going to start feeling really cold soon. You can give them back later."

Her eyes teared up and she gave a wobbly smile. "Thanks."

Professor Babbling stepped next to her and had her grab onto her arm, despite protests. "I will not have you fall once more. Now, Mr. Malfoy, you will follow."

Hermione was more cautious when they stepped onto the staircase this time, but since the Headmaster's office was in one of the highest towers, they had no choice but to use it. All three of them were too quiet on their trip to the griffin statue, so quiet Hermione jumped a little when Professor Babbling said the password, "Jelly Beans."

Headmaster Dumbledore was behind his desk with a half-measure of his usual twinkle.

"Ah, welcome," he extended his arms widely as if it truly were a welcome visit and then motioned them to sit down. Draco sat in the furthest spot from her. "I heard there was some commotion at the staircase?"

"Headmaster, Mr. Malfoy is a danger to Ms. Granger," Professor started in without preamble. Draco flinched. "His temper has nearly sent her to the Hospital Wing twice now, and had they not been tethered she would have broken her legs or arms falling from that landing! His temper had him push her off the staircase landing on the fourth floor! You must let the girl go free!"

The Headmaster only extended his hands. "It is not in my control anymore, Bethsheba, but Hogwarts'. I'm certain the school with make sure Miss Granger does not come to any harm.

"But," the Headmaster raised a hand to the fuming woman, "you are right that this is distressing news. I had hoped, Draco, you and Hermione here were starting build a rapport. Did she not take a prank potion in your defense at lunch?"

Draco looked away resolutely, not speaking, and Hermione's heart sank. She didn't like the boy, but he was still pale and miserable-looking. Why wasn't he speaking? And why hadn't he said sorry yet? If it was an accident, shouldn't he have apologized?

"I'm calling Severus," Professor Babbling announced, going for the floo. "He seems to care about these two."

Within minutes, the dark Potions Master slid gracefully through the floo and was standing in front of Hermione with a bar of chocolate.

"Eat," he commanded. When she hesitated, he growled, "It's for shock, Miss Granger. Eat it."

Hermione complied then, ignoring her parents' rules about candy and placing two pieces of chocolate on her tongue.

Then Severus rounded on Draco, who looked even more pale.

"That is twice now, Mr. Malfoy," his voice skated over them icily. "I was under the impression you were raised a gentleman, not an abuser."

Hermione and Draco gasped together at the harsh wording.

"Severus –" Dumbledore gently interjected.

"Harming someone who cannot get away is the definition of abuse. Miss Granger has never raised a hand to you and now you've done so twice," Professor Snape glared down at the boy. "If she weren't tethered to you, I would have you in detention until December. As it is . . ."

"Severus, it was not done intentionally," Dumbledore argued softly, earning a disbelieving look from Draco. "He simply needs to be taught self-control."

Professor Babbling interjected now, "This is more than a fit of temper, Albus, this is a repeat issue! It has very nearly caused harm, twice!"

"He needs to realize actions – intentional or not – have consequences!" Snape shot back angrily. "Next he'll be leading her out to the Forbidden Forest on a full moon!"

"Severus—"

"Professor?"

Hermione meek voice broke through the rant Severus had started and he looked down at her, looking so childlike in too-big robes, with candy in hand and eyes wide and afraid.

"Yes?"

Hermione didn't want to sound whiny, but she was exhausted. First from trying to be nice all day, and then from nearly falling off the staircase. She really didn't want to listen to them arguing or spend any more time with Draco Malfoy. So she'd ask. "I don't want to be here. Can ... Can I drop Draco off at Slytherin?"

He sighed. "Ms. Granger, once we are done here I will escort the both of you down to the dungeons to deposit Mr. Malfoy so he does not bother you this evening. But he has to be here so we can decide on a punishment."

"I didn't do it on purpose." Draco had finally spoken, and it sounded a bit whinier than it did penitent but still in a submissive whisper. "Granger told you, it was an accident."

"Good," Severus said to the still shocked boy, "because if it had been on purpose you could have been suspended, or even expelled."

Turning to the Headmaster, Severus made his proposal. "I will assign him more detentions once the tether is broken, but for now he is on restriction. Aside from meals and classes he will be confined to Slytherin House, and if he needs to go anywhere else he will be escorted by a prefect, who will also sit with him at meals. Is that agreeable, Headmaster?"

Severus was mildly insulted at how relieved the Headmaster looked. What did the old man think he would do? String him up?

"That sounds fair. For how long?"

"A week, or however long this tether last, whichever is longer," he informed them firmly. "For now, I have a Slytherin who needs to get to his common room. He will be eating there tonight."

He snatched up Malfoy by the back of his robes and pulled him to his feet. Professor Babbling came to Hermione's side and offered a hand up. She wasn't wobbly anymore, but she gave her a tired smile anyways.

"After you drop off Mr. Malfoy, don't forget to come to dinner," the Professor said. "You need food and rest after an ordeal."

"It was just a little scary," Hermione said, embarrassed that she was making a fuss.

"It wasn't just the fall that was an ordeal today," Professor Babbling pointed out slyly. How did she know? "Food and some time alone, I think, or quiet time with friends. That's the ticket."

"Thank you."

Professor Snape escorted the pair of them to the dungeons, and Malfoy didn't say a word. Maybe he felt sorry? But the tether was still there and he hadn't apologized to her yet. She didn't know how to feel.

"'For the whole'," he said to the wall. Bricks folded out of the way similar to Diagon Alley and opened the door to their common room. He looked down at Draco. "Mr. Malfoy, a meal will be sent up shortly. Eat it, and then go to your dormitory. You are confined there for the rest of the night."

"Yes, sir."

One person shorter, the group made their way to the Great Hall. Cedric's robe was dragging behind her so she took it off her shoulder finally and twisted it around her arm to roll it up.

"Are you steady now?" Hermione looked up at the Professor's grave face. "You needn't eat in the Hall tonight. You could be permitted to take your meal elsewhere."

"I'm okay."

He could see how tired the girl was. While she was still a child with more energy than himself, the regular spark he'd seen earlier that day had dimmed. It was aggravating for him to know his godson had done this. Another visit to Lucius was in order. And his mother.

Hermione normally was okay with attention – she liked it too much, sometimes – but this time it was because she'd been hanging hundreds of feet in the air and she hadn't managed to catch herself, so she shrunk for a second before she realized Professor Snape was walking confidently away from her and up to the Head Table. Imitating him, she strode with confidence over to the Hufflepuff table and to Cedric, who stood up to see her.

"Here," she pushed the robes back into his arms with a tired smile. "Thanks for letting me borrow them."

"Aw, kiddo, I'm just glad you're alright," he ruffled her hair. "Did Dumbledore let you go?"

She shook her head. "But I do get the night off! Anyways, I better get back to Gryffindor. Thank you, Cedric."

Ten at the Gryffindor table she was set upon by a pair of twins, her dormmates, and Harry and Neville.

"Spitfire! You're alive!"

She shook her head at their silliness. "Of course I'm alive! What did you expect?"

"We heard Malfoy tried to kill you!" "Did you really fall off the Great Staircase?" "Are you alright?"

It was a group hug all around her and she was beginning to get suffocated.

"Everyone, I need to breathe!" She called. The group pulled away enough for her to breathe freely. Then she gave a tired smile. "Can I have dinner? I can tell you the story once we've all sat down."

Over her favourite mashed potatoes and gravy she told them the short tale of her falling of the fourth floor landing. She had to reassure them that Draco hadn't done it on purpose, and how their tether had actually saved her, but even then the group was very angry at the young Slytherin.

"That little snake." "What should we do about this?" "How long will this go on, you think?" "He needs to learn he can't treat people this way!" "We've got this prank we've been meaning to try. "We should …"

Hermione had very little filter on a good day, but she was intensely tired and frustrated. The food warming and filling her up helped some, but still she couldn't stop herself. They were all talking between themselves about how to hurt Malfoy and she hated that.

"Can you just stop?" Her snotty side was coming out, and she could see everyone look surprised. Their conversations between themselves stopped for a second. The twins' blue eyes were on her, especially, looking worried. "I don't mean to be rude, but you are not helping Draco and you're not helping me. You keep focusing on how terrible this is and not on how you can actually help. I don't appreciate it."

Fred and George looked between themselves then down at her. "'Mione—"

"No!" she shouted. Her hair was sparking purple and the twins' eyes widened. "This is what I've been doing all of today and I'm tired of it! I'm tied to Malfoy because he hurts people, and you are all talking about hurting him back! It doesn't help anyone! Draco's been mean all day and I've had to be kind and happy and pretend it didn't bother me, but I'm too tired to let you all act like him right now!"

The whole Great Hall was listening in now, and she had tears coming to her eyes.

"Why can't everyone just stop?" she cried. "Why can't we try to be kind? I don't want to be the only one trying!"

The food plates exploded around her, covering most of the Gryffindor table with their dinners.

Hermione was mortified. She shouldn't have come into the Great Hall. She should have taken up Professor Snape on his offer to eat in the Common Room. Now she was angry, and she hated being angry at people because she lost control like this. The girls were shrieking about their hair and clothes, the guys looking downright frightened.

So she ran out of the hall.

Severus watched from the Head Table as the girl blew up the food and ran from the Great Hall with the Weasley twins in hot pursuit. He glared at the Headmaster.

"See that?" he hissed. "That is an eleven-year-old that you've made cry."

Dumbledore shook his head. "That's not what I see. Widen your gaze, Severus."

He humphed, but did. The Gryffindor table – the ones that had looked murderous before Miss Granger came into the Hall – were now subdued and decidedly not angry. In fact, they were looking at each other with a new curiousity. The other houses in the Hall were looking around at each other and the Slytherins were squirming in their seats. True, there were those who scoffed and scorned the outburst from the Gryffindor girl, but many students looked downright uncomfortable.

Uncomfortable with a different perspective on their normal, vengeance-seeking thoughts.

"It looks to me like Miss Granger, even when angry, says some fascinating things," Dumbledore waved his wand and the Gryffindor table was returned to its previous state of order, minus the food – the elves would bring the extras up in a moment. "What a wholesome message: what would happen, indeed, if all the world chose to be kind?"

"You have been sucking too many lemon drops."

Hermione didn't get far before the twins caught her. They coaxed her down to the Black Lake with a few smiles and soft words

When the three were planted on the shore, then she pulled her knees up to her chest and curled into herself.

"That was some magic you did in the Great Hall," George sniggered.

"Oh, yeah—"

"We've tried to start a couple food fights –"

"But blowing up the food?"

"Much more efficient."

Hermione screeched into her knee, stopping them. "I didn't mean to!"

"Well, yeah," Fred patted her shoulder. "That's what 'accidental magic' means."

"And you've had a pretty good reason for it."

Fred and George both put their hands on her head, rubbing her frizzy hair. "You know, not all of us –"

"Wanted to prank Malfoy –"

"To be mean, you know."

She looked up at their earnest blue eyes and some of her anger pulled back. "Really?"

"Really!" Fred twirled around so he was in front of her and peered at her. "It's like this;"

"Doesn't it mean we care –"

"If we want to go to war –"

"For you?"

Hermione couldn't say anything to that. Both boys were being so kind, coming after her and sitting with her. She didn't really believe they were mean, but she didn't understand how they couldn't see when they crossed the line with people.

"Hey!" Fred snapped his fingers and pointed out to the Lake. "Want to see something cool?"

The twin waved his hand at the grass and didn't even whisper and incantation.

Hermione watched in fascination as several pieces of grass grow and entwine, flowing together until they made legs, arms, a tail, and finally a head. Everything closed together and wrenched free of the roots beneath it and stumbled forward.

The grassy doll trotted around her and even gave a silent whiney. She looked between it and Fred in awe.

"That's amazing!" she squealed, holding out her hand for the little centaur. It leapt up into her palm and nuzzled against her thumb. "And so cute! How did you learn that spell?"

Fred and George leaned back on the grass, the very picture of nonchalance. "We've been doing stuff like this for ages. The animated ones don't last long, but if you're just making a doll or a ball it's fine. We used to make them for our little sister, Ginny, when she was little. I think we all had one piece of magic we could do wandlessly when we were kids. George was good at making his least favourite foods vanish."

"I vanished yours too," George protested. "Neither of us like mushy peas."

"Yeah, well, you were naughty for doing that," Fred teased, then grinned up at her. "But yeah, most kids grow out of their accidental magic, but George and I just kept doing the same things so it stuck. That's all I can do without a wand, but I just thought you'd like so see us do some wandless too. I admit, part of it is to show off, but did it cheer you up?"

Her chest still felt raw and open, like anything could fill her up and set her off balance again, but for the moment she was alright.

"Thank you, guys," she smiled at them. "And I'm sorry I yelled at everyone. I know you guys aren't mean people, but sometimes …"

Fred gave her a sour look. "You're too kind to that git, you know."

"Fred," George warned.

Fred propped himself up. "No, seriously. He sent you off a staircase today – shouldn't you be mad at him?"

Hermione thought about it, but she really didn't feel angry at him. Draco's face had been so pasty and shocked, she had mostly felt helpless. She just didn't know what to do with him.

"He's mean," she admitted to herself, "but he doesn't know better. I feel … sad for him. Do you remember him smiling at all since the start of school? A happy smile?"

Fred and George looked at each other and thought, simultaneously, that they hadn't. They seen him smirk and sneer, but not smile. Not that they'd paid attention, and he certainly could have in private, but if it was true then that … that was sad. Hermione was right. They both looked up at the girl who had been so upset that she'd blown up the food in the Great Hall, and yet still had it in her to feel sorry for such a boy as Draco Malfoy. They remembered the first day they'd met and how she'd told everyone who said anything bad about them that they were nice.

They knew they were pranksters, that no one took them seriously, but sometimes they wanted people to and Hermione Granger just knew that. Both of them felt desperately fond of their little spitfire.

But they were boys, and they were young, so they just laughed it off.

"You know, you got a point there," Fred grinned.

George nodded. "Looks like we have a new mission: The Hunt for Slytherin Smiles."

Hermione went to bed that night extremely fatigued, but feeling better. She'd had an afternoon with the twins, and then the girls in her dorm had talked with her, and then she'd said a quick prayer before bed because her eyes were already closing. Maybe tomorrow Malfoy would be nicer.