AN: So I know my italicized settings and dates might seem weirdly done but I have my own algorithm for them. I'll be mentioning the year at the start of every chapter strictly for consistency, and I've decided to mainly categorize the scenes by the general floor they take place at. That will give me more room to describe exactly where the characters are at as I progress to each moment. Also semi-important, I made up a Prefects Lounge which is essentially a room for the Heads and Prefects to have their meetings and enjoy downtime :0)
Anyway, thank you so much for all the reviews and follows! I'm pleasantly surprised by the amount of responses I've gotten so far with just two chapters! Amazing! Thank you all for reading! You guys seriously rock!
She's A Work of Art
Chapter Three
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Hogsmeade Village, September 6th, 1997
"I'll meet you there," Hermione said, waving to Harry and Ginny. "I need to make a quick pop into Scrivenshaft's for some more ink."
"Actually," began Harry. "I could use a better quill." He turned towards Ginny. "Will you be alright if I tag along with Hermione?"
The claret-haired Weasley was serene. "No bother, Winnie said she'd be perusing the racks. I'm sure she'll be there. Besides, you act as if I need a chaperone Harry," she jarringly shoved him in the chest. "You know perfectly well I'm capable of handling myself, you big git." Harry looked abashed but grinned and straightened out his round glasses.
"Leave it to you to get mad at me for simply being polite, sassy witch."
"And don't you forget it, Harry Potter." She smiled and winked, then coyly sashayed away, making sure to sway her hips vivaciously as she waltzed into Gladrags Wizardwear.
Harry's gaze lingered for a moment until her blazing hair disappeared through the door. When he turned around Hermione had one hand on her hip and was sporting an arched eyebrow, completing her inquisitive expression. "What?" he asked, like he didn't know.
"Don't play dumb with me Mr. Potter," she said, grabbing his arm and leading him in the direction of the quill shop. "How long are you going to pine after her until you finally realize she wants you to properly ask her out?"
Harry chuckled uncomfortably and scratched the back of his head, feeling sheepish. "I'm no damn good at that sort of thing, 'Mione. Honestly, I've been waiting for her to pursue me." They rounded a corner on the cobblestoned street. "She's dropped hints but I can't be sure from the mixed signals." Hermione prodded her chin.
"Hmm, that is a fair point. Ginny usually has no trouble doing the pursuing," the two walked into Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop. "Maybe it just hasn't been the right time for her yet but don't lose faith Harry."
"Thanks Hermione, I won't." he said, and they both amicably smiled at each other.
Harry began browsing a major aisle filled with some of the most beautiful, state-of-the-art quills and Hermione scampered off to the ink-well section. Her eyes lit up at all of the shiny new bottles and containers and her usual go-to brand, Billie's Blots came into focus. As soon as she picked up a few glass pots the lazy drawl of a certain silver-tongued snake caught her attention.
"Fancy seeing you here Princess," Draco was beside her. He had his arm perched lightly against one of the ink-well racks, languidly leaning in close. "Not the least bit shocking that you're already out of ink a mere week into term."
Hermione scrunched up her nose haughtily. "Oh? What are you doing here in this aisle then, I wonder?"
Draco clicked his tongue, said "Not ink Granger," and then he nodded to the wall behind them. It was the parchments wall.
"Well, look who's already out of parchment a mere week into term." She huffed, mocking him.
"On the contrary, I didn't originally bring enough with me in the first place." He was being mildly pompous but Hermione giggled lightly. His eyebrow rose, amused.
"Funny, because similarly I didn't bring enough ink with me in the first place." She smirked flirtatiously and he tried to suppress the wide grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth.
"Have you been working diligently on your essay?" he asked, rubbing his thumb and index together in anticipation. "Knowing you, the first draft is finished and you've hastily begun the second." The ferret was unable to resist a good round of playful banter. When she snorted in laughter but didn't right away answer he suckled on his lower lip and she eyed it with a particular curiosity. "Unfortunately, I can't finish my own essay without that book."
In between the parchments wall and ink-well racks, Draco's mid-section inched nearer and nearer towards her smaller frame. His trademark, stark-light hair fell dashingly over his icy eyes and Hermione tried to suppress a swift tremble as a cruel chill ran along her spine. The way his slate grey, thermal jumper hugged his toned muscles and lean, limber physique was reminiscent to the attractiveness of the backstreet lads from that muggle American boy band that her cousin had played for her over the summer holiday… but in this intimate proximity, Hermione could breathe in his crisp, musky scent which was divinely thick with a clean, telluric essence akin to meadow grass. Just as well, the subtle undertones of citrusy cedar and smoky myrrh complimented his entire countenance rather nicely. It was hypnotic. When had Draco Malfoy smelled so… earthy? It must be that she'd never picked up on his scent before… she'd never been this close to him.
Matter of fact, their interaction in the library the previous day had been the very first time the Slytherin Prince had ever touched her on purpose. When he'd tenderly brushed strands of hair from her face it felt so surreal, like a dream just as it felt right there in the quill shop. He was ineffable; an ethereal, lucid-like being, transcendental beyond words. Standing there in front of him she felt as if he were a truly alluring but diabolical incubus who was driven to gradually possess her willing soul.
"Won't be long," she responded, fearlessly pretending to ignore the way his half-lidded eyes burned into her with pure want, but he'd seen her take each erratic breath, he'd seen every move she made. "In truth, there's not much more I could possibly get out of it. Tell you what, how about I give it to you later this evening?" His ears perked up at the suggestion.
"Later this evening, you say. After rounds, I suppose?"
"That'll do."
"Okay. Meet me in the Prefects Lounge."
Hermione nodded in agreement and as if on cue Harry came around the aisle and found the two of them like that, dangerously close to one another.
"Malfoy…?" Harry asked incredulously.
"Hey Harry," Hermione said. "Find a good quill?"
"Hullo Potter," Draco sneered in greeting, mildly irate at the interruption.
"Is he bothering you Hermione?" Harry had murder in his glinting green eyes. The Slytherin was offended.
"No, not at all," she was quick to answer. He crossed his arms in total disbelief.
"Potter really," Draco began, waving his hand in dismissal. "Why would I be a bother to the Head Girl? I'm one of her loyal attendants after all, am I not?" Harry continued to stare him down. Draco pursed his lips, rolling his eyes. "You know, seeing as I'm a Prefect…?" he said, pointing to himself.
"I know you're a Prefect Malfoy," Harry spat and walked towards him in challenge. "I know everything about you."
"I think," Draco seethed. "That's a highly inaccurate statement. You don't know me, whatsoever."
"I know enough," the black-haired Gryffindor countered. "I know everything I need to know about you, snake."
"What in the blazes is that even supposed to mean, Pothead?" Draco was flabbergasted. He was bordering on laughing but the situation shouldn't have been funny.
"Uh excuse me," Hermione attempted to interject before things got out of hand. "I don't –"
"What do you think it means? Feeling guilty about something?"
Draco couldn't help the guttural chuckle that sounded from his throat. "Tsk, oh Potty," he wagged his index finger in admonishment. "We're all a bit guilty of something, aren't we?" He didn't wait for Harry to answer. "Accio: Lightning Wit Better Letters, package of five hundred sheets," and with a wave of his hawthorn wand he summoned the called upon item. "Au revoir chaton," Draco bid farewell in Hermione's direction and she blushed. Chaton meant kitten in French and for some far away reason she'd known the foreign term since childhood, from a long ago memory that took place in grade school. She looked at Harry whose focus hadn't left the Slytherin. Walking away to pay and without looking back he called out, "See ya, Potter. Stay outta trouble. Wouldn't want a guilty conscious now, would you?"
"Hmm…" Hermione hummed after Draco left the aisle.
"What?" Harry said.
"It's just… when did he become so… wise? Yes, he's always been smart and clever but…" she trailed off.
Harry always harbored so much hate for the pureblood heir after the years of torment him and his friends had been subjected to and still on top of that he chose to ignore how humiliating it felt to have his best friend basically compare him to not only someone who was his athletic rival but also a Slytherin who all around did better in grades than him.
"Would you listen to yourself, Hermione? This is Malfoy we're talking about," Harry was livid. "He's off his gobby trolley, I say. For all we know, his Death Eater father and him have been formulating a plan right under our noses. What if," he paused and whispered so only they could hear. "Voldemort is back at it again."
"Harry please," Hermione begged, stomping her little foot lightly in protest. "Malfoy and I having a cordial conversation does not signify the end of the world. Think logically here. You're being paranoid!" The Boy Who Lived did not want to mention out-loud exactly how cordial that conversation had looked.
"Maybe, maybe not," Harry shrugged his shoulders and gestured for her to follow him to the register. "But I swear I'll do whatever it takes to find out what that sneaky ferret is up to."
That comment made Hermione really nervous.
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The two friends entered Gladrags Wizardwear to find Ginny Weasley and Winnifred Willis, but not alone. Also enjoying a shopping spree were Daphne Greengrass and Tracey Davis.
Davis spied the approaching Gryffindors, grabbed hold of Greengrass who comically yelped out from the surprise, and quickly entered behind a curtain used for fitting. Hermione observed this, amused. She wondered what that meant precisely, concluding with the possibility that the two very prim and proper Slytherins may have something up their sleeves.
Ginny had on a beautiful, mid-length satin dress. The color of it was an egg-shell white and it had a low scoop neck with green trimmings. When she saw her companions she did a twirl and curtseyed, being uncharacteristically over-girly. It made Harry and Hermione chuckle.
"Well, look at you," Harry said breathlessly.
"Do you like it?" Ginny asked them and grabbed each of their hands.
"Stunning," Harry offered.
"It really does look good on you," Hermione complimented.
"Thanks," the redhead beamed.
Winnifred poked her head out of one of the curtains. "Hey Gin, can you please unzip me?" Ginny ran to the rescue of her Slytherin pal.
Hermione looked at Harry who was blushing. She wasn't sure if it was mostly from the thought of two sets of girls alone together in fitting rooms or if it was because of how smitten he was with Ginny and she wouldn't get to think on it further from the sudden emergence of the older Slytherin girls. They were sporting their usual weekend garb, having been done with the excursion.
"Davis, Greengrass," Hermione politely greeted.
"Head Girl," they addressed in unison.
Ginny dashed back out from behind the curtain with a glimmering article of clothing and ran towards them. "This would look simply smashing on you, 'Mione. You've got to get it!"
Hermione reluctantly took the garment that was shoved to her and peered down at it as she held it out with her hands to see it better. The dress was a bit longer, probably ending at the ankles, but appeared to be form-fitting. It was a light-lilac purple shade with blue undertones, dusted in sparkles over the entire dress but surprising to her was how soft it felt. Its neckline dipped a bit lower than she'd prefer but damn, it sure was a pretty thing.
"Where am I even going to wear this, Gin?"
"You could wear it on a date, obviously. Merlin knows you need one for the rebound."
"Ginevra," scolded Hermione. Harry looked uncomfortable.
"What? Yeah I know he's my brother but he's just as much an arrogant, skiving git."
Harry opened his mouth to say something in protest but Hermione beat him to the punch. "Not all the time but yes, he can be." she corrected.
Winnie had long since rejoined the group and the tumultuous exchange between the friends were witnessed by each of the Slytherins with bemused expressions. Tracey cleared her throat. "Hermione, may we talk with you in private? Just for a second,"
"Uh, sure." She answered. Gods, she saw this one coming. Hermione followed Tracey and Daphne to a secluded corner of the store. "Yes?"
Tracey fiddled with the ends of her blonde hair, twisting strands about her fingers. "To put it simply, we are well-aware of an oncoming situation. That is to say…" Hermione leaned forward, ready for the information but Tracey balked.
Daphne rolled her eyes and straightened out her brown tortoise-shell glasses. "To put it simply, we have reason to believe that Draco is planning to pursue you."
Gryffindor's Princess tried not to laugh. This information was not necessarily news to her. "Is he? For what, exactly?" she asked exasperatedly, tired of the day's events already. She was praying the two beautiful girls were not just messing with her. "Is it school work?" she tried to play stupid.
"Granger, you can't be serious," Daphne sighed woefully, smacking her forehead and Tracey giggled.
"No, you silly little Gryffindor," the blonde said. "He wants to… you know." She wiggled her eyebrows in suggestion.
At that Hermione could not stifle her laughter. "Really now, you can't expect me to believe that," she said crossing her arms.
Daphne looked angry. "It's true," she whined.
"Okay, then how do you know?" the Head Girl questioned.
"I spoke with him earlier this week. It's just… obvious." Tracey began, treading carefully. "Us Slytherins know each other well, too well actually. All of us, we just know." The Prefect decidedly left out any knowledge of the bet between Blaise and Theo. It would be most imprudent to mention it and everyone would surely feel the Gryffindor Head Girl's wrath if they did.
"All of you know, huh? Alright…" Hermione started, seemingly taking their word for it but showing no emotion towards the fact of the matter. "So, why come to me about it, why the need to tell me so direly? What's it to all of you, anyway?" she was very curious why it was even anyone's business.
"Well…" Tracey shrugged. "We want to know if you'd reciprocate." Daphne nodded in agreement.
"Okay, but what does it even matter to you?" she countered.
"It… it just does." The auburn-haired, elder Greengrass sister replied.
Hermione turned away from them and scratched her chin, pondering her response. What in Godric's name was the reason they cared so much? Did either of them want to be with Draco Malfoy? Tracey was happily dating Blaise Zabini from what she knew, and Daphne… she wasn't totally sure about Daphne. There were past rumors that she thought Theodore Nott to be fetching but that was all hearsay… and Theo, well Theo was known for being quite the player. So did Daphne Greengrass have her eye on Draco and this was their way of confronting her about it… or was it something else?
She turned back to the Slytherin girls. "Honestly, I can't say I would reciprocate and I can't say I wouldn't. Surely, Draco Malfoy would have to do a lot for me to even look his way…" she huffed, giving nothing away, nothing of how she had already looked his way as often as she could.
"So it's completely dependent on whether or not Draco is able to successfully woo you or not?" Davis asked her.
"Woo me?" Hermione chuckled and slapped her hand on her knee. "What is this, the eighteen hundreds?" Daphne and Tracey shared a look. The Wizarding World was still very old-fashioned in some ways so a word such as 'woo' was not odd to them. "Ladies, please. This is all dependent on if he and I even have a connection… Malfoy has… he's always detested me. It's highly improbable, to say the least."
Both of the Slytherins rolled their eyes. "Right… if you have a connection," Daphne echoed.
"We think you already do." Tracey mumbled and Daphne smacked her in the arm.
"We've said enough," Daphne said. "Come, let's go. Granger, we'll see you around."
"Ta-ta Head Girl," Davis called out as they swiftly left Gladrags.
As a bewildered Hermione made her way over to where her friends stood waiting and whispering she noticed they had extremely quizzical expressions, including the short and pretty brunette, Winnifred Willis.
"What in Merlin's beard was that about?" asked Ginny as she arrived to the group and the redhead gave her back the lilac dress. "You know you're buying this right? Please Hermione, it would look decadent on you I just know it."
"Fine, fine I'll buy it," she said quickly, having become accustomed to the thought of possibly wearing it some place… perhaps she could ask the Head Boy and other Prefects if they'd be into the idea for throwing a ball of some sort, maybe around the Holidays? Or maybe she really could wear it on a date. "And it was nothing of importance, honest." She replied unfazed. No one said anything of it yet so she led the group to the register. "You lot down for lunch?"
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Inside the Three Broomsticks, Ginny, Hermione and Winnie walked straight for a table but Harry gave them an apologetic look and headed towards a booth where Ron Weasley, Faye Dunbar and Parvati Patil sat. Ron was nestled closely with Faye, their hands held together unashamedly on top of the table.
"See, 'Mione? There you go, that's the perfect reason not to care about going on a bloody date with someone else." Ginny told her. Winnie nodded encouragingly.
Hermione was unaffected, happy for him even. Still, she'd probably not have minded going on a date with someone whether Ronald was moving on or not. "And what about you Ginny, when are you going to ask Harry on a date?" she desperately wanted to get the focus off of herself.
"Me?" the youngest Weasley screeched. "Why do I have to do the asking?"
"Come on now Gin," said Hermione with stern eyes. "You know as much as I know that Harry will struggle with that. Why don't you just make it easier for everyone involved and get on with it?"
"You do like him, don't you?" Winnifred asked in naivety and then ordered a round of Butterbeers from Madam Rosmerta. Ginny sighed dreamily.
"I've always liked him," she said. "Maybe I even… love him, I don't know but… I guess I'm scared I'm not good enough, that he'll reject me or tire of me, push me away and then our wonderful friendship would be ruined."
Hermione snorted. "You'll never know if you don't try," she said and thankfully the girls didn't notice her eyes widen at her own statement, seeing as it similarly rang true for her situation with Malfoy. She wouldn't know, if she didn't try...
Later on, it'd been hours and they'd had a few drinks. The Head Girl realized she had to use the loo. After she did her business and washed her hands she made her way out of the restroom and slammed straight into a body. "Oh no, sorry I –" she met the devious, seafoam green eyes belonging to Cormac McLaggen. "Cormac,"
"Ah Granger, you're just the girl I was hoping to see," he said with a slimy grin plastered across his face. "What are you doing tonight, tea with me perhaps?" If it had been almost anyone else it wouldn't have necessarily been an unreasonable question but then without warrant his hand drifted to her waist and he roughly began pulling her into him. "Fancy yourself a piping hot cup of Cormac?"
"Ew, Gods no Cormac, get off of me!" she hit him in his chest but he wouldn't let go. No one could see them in there unless they walked into the darkened alcove where the loos were and Hermione had to admit this was exactly the sort of situation she'd been worried about and the fear inside her sprung forth. "Are you insane? Let go," she tried to pull away from his embrace.
"C'mon Hermione Granger," he whispered gruffly in her ear as she wiggled about. "You know you can't resist me forever. You know you want it," he was going in for a kiss.
"I believe the Head Girl told you to let go," an authoritative, no-nonsense voice sprang from the shadows. "So, let her go you imbecile!"
Cormac's smothering, bulky frame was gratifyingly ripped off of her and she gazed up to see the silvery-blonde shock of hair belonging to her knight in shining armor, the Prince of Slytherin himself. Draco smirked proudly at her as he pulled back his fist and let it sink into Cormac's cheek, hard and the stockier Gryffindor was sent flying away with all the energy of a raging tsunami.
McLaggen disdainfully looked up at them from the ground, rubbing his cheek. Blood was leaking from the side of his mouth. "You'll pay for that Malfoy,"
"Oh, will I?" Draco snickered, cracking his bruised knuckles. "Doubt that McLaggen, see if you tell anyone about this at all I'll be forced to explain to everyone how you've accosted and harassed the Head Girl on multiple occasions. This was the last time by the way. Have I been clear?"
"Crystal," he grimaced and spat blood onto the floorboards. Something told Hermione Cormac was not entirely finished and would still somehow want to get back at the Slytherin, persistent arsehole that he was. A few other students passed by them and with curiosity they observed McLaggen standing up and dusting himself off. Hermione followed Draco inconspicuously down the hallway but before they reentered the dining area he turned to her.
"Granger I'll uh, see you later." He promised, hinting at their planned meeting that evening in the Prefect's Lounge. "Try not to get yourself accosted again, yeah?" and then he casually walked away.
It would be only a few short hours before the rumor that Draco Malfoy punched Cormac McLaggen in the face at the Three Broomsticks had fully circulated. No one was sure why it happened exactly but the bruises were there so people were sure of it. Hermione Granger had been seen present in the aftermath and it was assumed she had some unknown involvement, the nature of which was uncertain.
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AN: I hope this isn't total rubbish! This one wasn't as long as I'd have liked it to be and it was kind of a filler chapter but I wanted to update as soon as I could. I PROMISE the next chapter will have more and more Dramione moments! And again, thank you all so much for reading. Your thoughts, favorites and reviews mean the world to me! It's so heartwarming to know there are really people out there reading and enjoying what I have to write. Cheers to you all, my friends :0)