Author Note-
Okay guys, I was wondering if anyone really liked me adding the lyrics for each chapter. So far I have used 43 songs not including this chapter and it really is more work to find the songs. I mean I like doing it, I just don't know if you guys think it's necessary to the story. Also thank you so much for all the favorites, follows, and reviews. It really makes my day and encourages me to write faster. Wink wink nod nod.
-Madi
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the lyrics I quote in each chapter.
Chapter Twenty-One
Sick Charade
"Twist every truth till it bleeds,
Spread the dirt, plant the seeds,
Don't think, don't blink, just obey, obey,
Disappear, behind the mask you've made,
My eyes are wide open now,
I can see you through your sick charade,
Just another sick charade…"
Sick Charade by The Letter Black
Friday October 18th, 1996
Just after nine in the evening- Inside a classroom after the Patrols meeting
The moment the meeting came to a close, Hermione was up on her feet looking around the room for a particular bigoted prat whom had evaded her rather seamlessly all day. Both Harry and Ron were rightfully angry at her because of her partially forced involvement with Malfoy. Now, she knew that lecturing Malfoy wouldn't change anything, but it would help her feel loads better.
With a sigh, Hermione looked towards the back, to see him collecting his books with a certain nonchalance that irked her. Sucking in a mouthful of air, the almost bitter taste of anger returned, just from the sheer sight of him and without warning. As she was about to go over to him and give him a piece of her mind, she stopped, realizing that she could speak with him while on patrols.
'Calm down, it would be best to have a word with him when alone to avoid wondering eyes.' With that thought, she turned away from the arse and began to head towards the sign-in sheet where Professor Snape was standing.
"As a precaution," Professor Snape said to Hermione while the others started to leave as he fiddled with his cufflink upon his wrist, "Dumbledore himself has asked that there be three students at a time when patrolling in the evenings. Now, Miss Granger, I'm fully aware of your incident and I assure you, that should you feel in any way anxious with night shifts, Dumbledore has agreed to have you do only mornings."
"That is a bit unnecessary," She spoke quickly as her eyes wandered over towards the blonde Slytherin for a second and then back, "I am more than capable doing evenings, with just one other prefect. As for my accident, Madam Pomfrey stated that it was just lack in proper eating, but I do appreciate the offer professor."
"Very well Miss Granger," he drawled slowly while his face remained emotionless per usual, "But, the third student is not an option. Tonight you will be patrolling once more with Mr. Malfoy and for the last fifteen minutes the both of you will have a third prefect. A new sixth year Gryffindor prefect, which for the moment will be the replacement for Mr. Weasley and I've been informed that this transitory prefect, is on short notice, but I am sure the both of you will do fine. In which case, after tonight you will start patrols with Miss Lavender Brown until the new year..."
The second she heard the name, Hermione allowed her jaw to clench while her grip upon her books tightened considerably. With a singular nod, she allowed professor Snape to explain that she would be teaching Lavender the routes patrols and how they dealt with lingering students. The only thing she could think about was how she had to talk with the stupid bint who was one of the main problems between her and Ron.
As Hermione listened she felt a presence stop just behind her and the second she inhaled the familiar scent, she realized that it was in fact Malfoy. Begrudgingly in an attempt to ignore him while keeping her concentration on the conversation at hand, she nodded.
"Was there no other boys who wanted to be the temporary Gryffindor prefect?" Hermione asked making sure her voice was even and trying to appear oblivious to the arse standing behind her, "I mean it seems rather redundant to have two girls from one house in the same year."
"Ask your house professor," Snape said monotonously as a sigh ticked the back of her neck as her hair sat in a messy bun. "Now, if you don't mind, I need a short word with Mr. Malfoy before you go on patrols."
Misjudging the actual distance between her and Malfoy, Hermione took a step backwards causing herself to stumble right into him. Shocked by the electric feeling of his hand reaching up to help steady her, she jumped sideways away from him while he still held her arm. The second she could see his face followed by the familiar expression that tied into his features, she instinctively wanted to yell at him. To tell everyone what a disgusting vile prat he was, to tell everyone that he messed with her out of boredom. But she remained silent.
"I'll meet you in the hallway Granger." Malfoy said while she watched his jaw tense for a slight minute while she yanked her arm away. With a nod, Hermione slowly walked away towards the door while she could almost feel his gaze upon her back.
'After everything he's done he just stands there and acts like he has done nothing wrong. I should be speaking with the Dumbledore himself, not waiting for some half-arsed lie of his that he spun to get me off his back.' Hermione thought as she waited for him while her eye twitched in anger. Pulling her bag from her shoulder she slid her books inside and placed her bag upon a desk before she continued her way into the hallway.
Grumbling to herself, Hermione rolled her wand inside her right pocket between her fingers in thought as to what exactly she was going to say to the git. It wasn't as if he was going to admit that he took part in the picture taking at least until he had just the right way to embarrass her in front of everyone. With a huff, she looked up towards the door as he stalked out of the classroom in a rather petulant manner which confused her somewhat.
"You going to just stand there and stare Granger," Draco snapped as he walked right past her without stopping, "Or are we going to do our patrols?"
"Sod off Malfoy," Hermione growled as she quickly headed in his direction while he turned around the corner and look towards her as she spoke. "Now, I had quite the interesting conversation with Harry just after lunch today, and would love some insight as to what in Merlin's name you're playing at."
"What are you on about over there Granger?" Malfoy drawled in an 'I could care less' way while she rolled her eyes. "And why is it you think I have any interest in yours and Potty's conversations, ever?"
"You are positively infuriating," Hermione paused for a second to cross her arms, "Are you really going to pretend that you had nothing to do with the note and photograph that Harry received." Hermione scoffed crossing her arms with a terse puckered laugh. "That's rich you know, but it was what I expected you to do."
"I haven't the faintest as to what you are referring to Granger," he retorted as she was about to start walking but was stopped when his hand found her wrist. "What was on this note and photograph, and what does it have to do with me."
"I'm sick of being some bloody part of your little innocent charade Malfoy." Hermione growled trying to peel his fingers away from her. "Now let, me go, before I hex you. Which you'd rightfully deserve..."
"No, not until you say just what was on-", he started talking and she had enough of his brazen disregard of her intelligence which was rather insulting.
"It was a bloody picture of us snogging, you daft prat." She hissed though her teeth and she examined his features as they started soften somewhat for a slight second. Watching his other hand raise upwards to rub his face before running it through his hair causing it lose it's perfectly combed Malfoy signature look. It almost looked like he actually had no idea about the picture but Hermione was sure it was his doing.
"I thought you were the smartest witch of our age Granger," he spoke harshly looking around as if to make sure the two of them were really alone. When he looked towards the first door on their right, with his hand still upon her wrist, he pulled her towards the empty classroom and pushed her inside while shutting the door behind them. "What exactly do you think I would have to gain from taking a picture of us snogging? I can hear everyone now, 'A Malfoy soiling himself with dirty blood, what a pathetic disgrace he is'…" he spat before turning and kicking the leg of a desk beside him. In that moment Hermione jumped from the sudden noise, and then proceeded to suck lightly upon her bottom lip in thought while she crossed her arms. The distain in the words dirty blood made her want to flinch and that wasn't something she had done in a long time when it came to her muggleborn status.
"I- I thought that you were playing some sort of a prank, and I assumed it was you because, well let's face it… You're, you." She spoke as he leaned upon the palms of his hands that were lying flat upon the desk. "I take it from your reaction, that you had no part in this."
"That's perceptive of you Granger," He sneered as he stood upwards and looking towards her with a sort of irritation laced into his features. "Where is this photo at? What did the note say?"
Pausing for a slight second, Hermione contemplated her choices, which included of telling Malfoy the truth or telling him a bit of a lie in order to have some sort of leverage over him. It also could help encourage him to give her some straight answers for once.
"I-I have them, hidden," she spoke as confidently as she could in order to make her sound more convincing, "And the note is unimportant-" she watched his silvery eyes dance from irritation to a solid evident anger that flashed across his feature instantly and identically.
"If you're doing, what I think you're doing Granger," Draco spoke darkly as he slowly walked towards her causing her to bump right into the closed classroom door with a sharp intake of air. "Let me assure you, that it is a very dangerous game you're playing at."
Keeping her chin tilted upwards to look at him as he leaned one hand against the wall beside her head while his jaw clenched. She could see that this was exactly where she wanted him, and if she were to get any answers out of him, that this would be time to do so.
"The way I see it," she spoke softly as she took as step towards him letting the warmth of his proximity tickle her, "It would not only tarnish your high and mighty reputation, if the photo were to get out, but it would also have an undesirable effect upon mine as well. Thus, I propose we work together to find out who took the photo to begin with, and why they wanted Harry to see it."
"There's always a catch Granger, I'm not daft." He added letting his warm minty breath bathe her face causing her to blink, feeling somewhat lightheaded from how close he was. "I know you bloody Gryffindor's think you're so damn noble and brave, but you are not, you're impulsive and reckless, which won't get you far. Especially when dealing with a Slytherin, and I hope you know that Granger."
"I want some answers Malfoy," she growled ignoring his comment regarding their houses while he sneered at her words. "We could start with the question as to why you truthfully attempted to curse Professor Dumbledore with that box, the one that I saw you have. You've yet to explain that one."
"Even with the sodding picture, that was a rather pitiful attempt at blackmailing me," He chuckled lightly taking a step towards her so that his clothing was brushing against hers causing her to freeze while she felt his other hand slowly slide up her arm and stop when he grabbed her by her chin. "You see Granger, the difference between you and I, is you never know when to leave well enough alone."
"On contrary Malfoy," Hermione spoke softly not daring to move so that his fingers remained upon her skin, "The difference between us isn't any sort of frivolity. It's instinctual. Because I know where the line is at, and how far I can push past it without causing all sorts of problems. Whereas you play it safe and never test your boundaries, which is in some cases, makes you bigoted and narrow minded."
Little sparks of electricity burned her skin where his touched causing her mouth to go dry and making it rather difficult to breathe. Watching him that closely, Hermione could almost see where the fine lines of stress and fear toyed with his him. It was haunting to see the effect this year had upon him already, which was somewhat worrisome considering that it had just begun.
Before she realized that she was leaning her face forward towards his, she felt him tilt her chin upwards almost as if he was leading her towards him. Swallowing the anticipation she allowed her eyes to almost close, while his lips brushed against her in the most mouthwatering and sensual way she could imagine. Head spinning, heart thudding, lips burning, Hermione swore that Malfoy made her feel more things than humanly possible and yet it was still Malfoy.
"I believe that I test my boundaries well enough," he spoke against her lips while she shuddered from his touch and almost whimpered from the feeling. The delectable scent and burning sensation that clouded her senses and all she wanted in that moment was to feel his lips against hers. When she leaned close enough, she heard him click his tongue twice softly in disapproving way, forcing her to open her eyes and jerk her chin away from his grasp. "You on the other hand Granger, are a bit testy when it comes to crossing boundaries."
"I mean it Malfoy," she spoke sharply as he sneered to himself, which made her sigh out of irritation, "I want answers or- or I'll show people the photo of us." She reached upwards with her hand to rub the back of her neck while she looked downwards away from him.
"See here's the thing," he said somewhat annoyed while he stood still close enough to touch which was messing with her thinking capability nonetheless. "I don't think you will show anyone, because it would affect you too. And I'm sure that from seeing said photo, Saint Potter certainly wasn't too pleased. I know for a fact, that you wouldn't want more of your friends thinking less of you, would you?"
Looking up towards him, she scoffed wanting to interject and argue with him until they both started passing hexes as carelessly the tossed insults at one another. But she stopped herself when she saw the look upon his face. It was one that basically dared her to prove him wrong, which was just what she was about to do, photograph or not.
"You have no idea what I'm capable of doing…" she said evenly while his brows frowned in confusion while the sudden sound of footsteps sounded outside the door. She then felt him pull her out of the hallway view as the footsteps grew quieter while she pushed him away and headed out into the hall.
"That girl is a problem,
Girl is a problem,
Oh Baby,
You so bad boy,
Drive me mad boy…"
Problem by Natalia Kills
Friday October 18th, 1996
Just after ten in the evening- In the hallway near the Great Hall
Time ticked slowly for Malfoy as he walked in silence with Granger at his side, and it was as apparent as her obnoxiously fuzzy hair, that she was rather cross with him. It had already been an hour of this, which was rather pointless and unnecessary; to him at least, Granger on the other hand seemed rather content with the quiet.
About ready to try and make up the best lie he could, Draco huffed, knowing that she would be able to spot it almost instantly. He wasn't about to insult her obvious intelligence by doing so, especially when she possibly had that picture she spoke of.
"Not sure as to why you're so caught up on knowing things that clearly does not concern you in the very least Granger." Draco sneered to himself knowing full well she was not even looking at him. "It's one trait about you that is quiet unattractive, I'll have you know."
Out of the corner of his eye, Draco could see the corner of her lips twitch slightly at his words while the two of them started back towards the classroom where they were to meet that Brown girl. With a soft short laugh that happened under his breath, he couldn't help but follow with a similar half smile that lasted half as long as hers did.
"Why Malfoy," she looked at him with a small smile, "Are you actually saying that there are some qualities about me that you find, somewhat attractive…? As well as admitting there is something going on? Which I'll have you know is just a way of admitting that at one point you had said box. You know the one you said you were clueless about."
Stopping where he was to look at her, Draco frowned his brows in annoyance, the current emotion he felt towards her undeniably attractive ability to deduct answers from barely nothing at all. Rolling his eyes, he decided that he would need to get some way to obtain the picture of them snogging if only so she had nothing to hold over him. With his task, at this rate, this game between the two of them could not continue, especially with her so close to him, in more ways than one.
"If I didn't know any better Granger," he said before he could stop himself, with an almost smirk at the sight of her smile, "I'd say you that you were playing nice after us having a right go at one another, which could be misconstrued as you hitting on me, you know."
Draco could tell the second she understood what he was saying by the way her eyes widened and her cheeks flushed violently. Not that he would ever admit it aloud; he found that when she was angry she looked delightfully noteworthy.
"That is not, what I was doing," she growled, as he suddenly felt a burning inside of his pocket-
'No…no no no. Not now. Why right now?' Draco basically hissed internally as he slipped his hand inside his pocket, which signaled he had about thirty seconds to read the message or he wouldn't have a way to contact them again. There was no way he could look at the coin with Granger watching because the second she saw it, she would know exactly what it was and what it was used for.
"-and don't think about changing the subject again, we're talking about how you admitted that you did have the box. Now the real question is whether or not you knew it was cursed." He tried to listen to what she was saying but knew that he had to get away and fast.
"I don't care about your stupid little questions, you're nothing more than some filthy mudblood-" Draco snapped, stopping at the word they both knew, feeling the heat from the coin reach its hottest point. Twenty seconds. "It's none of your business, and you sticking your nose where it doesn't belong will get you either hurt, or worse. Killed."
The stunned look upon her features looked as if his words had been a strong spell of Petrificus Totalus, as he took that as his chance to spin on his heels yanking his fist out of his robes. Once he rounded the corner, he opened it just in time to read the words 'Five Minutes', before it disappeared right before his eyes. The words he had said to her left a bitter taste in his mouth, one that felt worse than the burn he had to endure the first time he held this damned coin.
'What was said was necessary, now we just have to make sure that whatever Granger does, that it cannot effect my task in any way… Therefore, I need that picture, before it becomes as much as a problem as she is.' Draco thought as he started in the direction of the room of requirements.