A/N- I want to apologize in advance, because this chapter is crap, and the next one probably will be too. I originally planned to have the story alternate between Draco and Hermione, however, I have far more plot development with Hermione than I do with Draco. This chapter was supposed to even it all out, but the characters kind of took it into their own hands(on the plus side, that's never happened to me before, so I guess that's a sign that I'm getting better, and yes, I'm aware that that's wishful thinking, especially since this chapter is terrible). ANYWAY, I'll try to get out the next chapter as quickly as possible, because after that I should for the most part be finally done developing the plot, and I might actually get to start carrying it out. Anyway, I'm rambling, so please review, and enjoy!
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Draco stalked purposefully down the corridor, flanked on either side by his faithful lieges, Crabbe and Goyle. He had yet to formulate a real plan, aside from the obvious: get his wand back, and make that Mudblood pay. All he needed was to find the Gryffindor Common Room. he was on one of the highest floors of the castle. Gryffindors and Slytherins had been mortal enemies since the school's founding. With that in mind, Draco had hazarded a guess that the Gryffindor common room would be on a higher floor, since the Slytherins' was belowground in the dungeons. Now all he had to do was find it. Getting in also posed a slight challenge, of course, but he supposed he would burn that bridge once he'd reached it.
He was startled from his thoughts by a door slamming loudly a few yards further down the corridor and a slight first year emerged from Professor Snape's new classroom, sniffling. Draco rolled his eyes, disgusted by the sniveling child, only to glance back a moment later, eyes resting on a scarlet tie, emblazoned with narrow golden stripes. And suddenly, the plan seemed simple. He couldn't believe it had never occurred to him before. He strode up to the boy.
"You there, what's your name, boy?" he sneered menacingly.
The first year shrank back, whimpering, and murmured something unintelligible under his breath.
"Speak up, you blubbering NINCOMPOOP," Malfoy explained, practically shouting, face growing hot with exasperation.
The boy shrank back even further, but this time managed to produce coherent syllables, "He-henry, sir," he stammered, clearly unsure of how to address the older student, whose scowling face rested mere inches from his own; long, sharp nose dangerously close.
"And you're in Gryffindor house, correct?" Malfoy hissed, inching ever closer, the first year's saucer eyes growing wider and wider with each passing second, as he drew back as inconspicuously as possible.
"Y-yes, sir," he replied shakily, on the cusp of losing his balance as he teetered on his heels, unwilling to move any closer to his assailant.
"Tell me, Henry," Draco purred, "where is your common room?"
The boy gasped softly, eyes widening even further, "I-I don't think I'm supposed to tell you that, sir," he said, voice barely a whisper, taking a slow step away from Malfoy.
Draco grabbed ahold of the poor boy's scarlet tie and pulled him close, face pressed up against his own, so that Henry could feel the older boy's hot breath against his face, and Draco the younger's fearful quaking.
"Answer my question, boy," he growled. The first year whimpered softly, still trembling, but obliged.
"Just look out for the portrait of the Fat Lady," Henry finished, "password is 'dilligrout'," Draco released him, and the first year scampered off down the hallway without another word.
"You heard the boy," Draco said, turning to his cronies, "we have a Common Room to find, and a Mudblood to punish.
The trio smirked maliciously, and set off once more, only this time, Draco had a clear plan, and the valuable information needed to execute it.
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"Password?" the Fat Lady asked disinterestedly.
"Dilligrout," Draco replied. The portrait swung forward without another word to reveal a cozy room, filled with warm chatter that slowly began to die as the Gryffindors began to notice the interloper. Draco, however, was oblivious to this as he found what he was looking for. He stalked into the room, signaling for Crabbe and Goyle to follow him, and slapped his hand down upon a desk situated in a far corner of the room.
"Where is she?" he demanded. The redhead studying at the table looked up, bewildered.
"Malfoy? Wha-?"
"WHERE IS SHE?" Malfoy boomed, startling those listening in, as his cheeks began to turn a brilliant, angry shade of violet. Ron's eyes widened with shock.
"Wha- who?"
"Granger, you imbecile! Who else?!"
"Erm-"
"Answer me!"
"I don't know! What's gotten into you, Malfoy?!"
Draco shook his head, exasperated, "never mind. Figures you wouldn't know, Weasley," without another word, he turned on his heel and stalked off, Crabbe and Goyle close behind. And with that, Ron watched, bewildered, as someone stormed away from him, portrait swing shut behind them, for the second time that day. As he sat there wondering what had gotten into Draco Malfoy(not to mention how he managed to get into the Common Room), he got a sickening feeling in his gut that somehow the two outbursts were connected. He pondered that for a moment, before shaking his head, and turning to finish up his potions essay.
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A/N- I know that was bad, and I'm really sorry, but the next chapter should be posted in a few days, and if all goes as planned, the plot will start to pick up, so stay tuned!
~hermionegrangerandarocketship