Pretty in Purple
Chapter 6
Hermione was sitting in the library, finding ways to help Draco produce a patronus when she was interrupted.
"There you are beautiful." Harry said as he scraped the chair across the floor.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Hi Harry."
"So, I've made us plans to have lunch at Hogsmeade next weekend. You know, do some shopping, eat, hang out."
"That sounds nice Harry. I'll have to see what's on my schedule before I can accept." Hermione put a piece of parchment between pages to mark her spot.
"What you reading up on?"
"How to help Draco produce a patronus." She said, not looking at him.
"Malfoy? Why would you help him?"
"Class assignment, plus I think he should know how."
"Come on Hermione. You don't actually think he's capable of having happy memories or even making any strong enough for the patronus, do you?"
"As a matter of fact." She said, closing the book heavily and looking at Harry. "I do. I believe everyone has some kind of happiness inside them that can be strong enough. Now, excuse me. I've got more work to do."
She grabbed the books and her bag and left Harry starting after her. Hermione was silently fuming as she walked down the corridor towards the common room. Harry had been her best friend since the start of 1st year, but he was beginning to get on her nerves.
She made it to the Head's portrait, gave the password and walked in. She was still in her own world when she went in that she didn't notice Blaise piddling around.
"Hello, Granger."
Hermione jumped and dropped her books. "Zabini, you gave me a fright. What are you doing in here?" She asked as she kneeled down to pick up her books.
"Came to find Draco, but I got you instead." He winked at her.
She rolled her eyes. "Well, clearly he isn't here. If you'll excuse me." She began to walk every towards her room when Blaise stepped in front of her.
"Come now, Granger. Why are you avoiding me? I just want to talk and pick that pretty brain of yours. We've gone to school together now for years and yet you don't speak to me unless you have to. Do you know how many girls would love to have this opportunity you have now? Me alone with them?"
Hermione was becoming even more aggitated than she was before. "I don't talk to you because you're a concieded jerk who only wants to talk to a girl to get into their pants. I'm not a slag, Zabini. I actually have morals."
"Come now. Don't be that way. Why won't you give me the time of day?" He said, pushing hair behind her ear.
Hermione moved out of his way. "Because I actually have some taste in a man, and you're not my flavor. Now bugger off before I hex you into space."
Blaise growled in frustration and walked away. Hermione went to her room, shut and locked the door and put up a silencing spell. She threw herself across her bed and screamed into her pillow.
Her frustration was getting the better of her. Blaise Zabini being the main cause. It wasn't the first time he asked her out. It was probably the seventh or eighth. She never liked Blaise simply because he always flaunted that he was better than her, then would come around and try and ask her out.
The knock on the door brought her back and she went to see who it was. She smiled brightly as Tonks stood in front of her.
"Come in. I'm loving this look on you."
Tonks was wearing her hair in a hgh pontytail that was currently colored purple, a pair of leather pants with knee high boots and a purple and white corset top that was off the shoulder and had long sleeves.
"Thank you. So, what are your plans for today?" Tonks asked as she sat on the bed.
"Now, nothing. I was in the library looking up ways to help Draco when Harry came in to tell me of his plans for us next weekend in Hogsmeade. Then proceeded to ask why I'm helping Draco produce a patronus." Hermione said as she sat beside Tonks.
"Why are you helping him?" Tonks raised an eyebrow at her young friend.
"Because the two of us are the only ones in class who show any signs of being able to become Animagus."
"Sure." Tonks stood up and walked to Hermione's wardrobe. "Why do I not see any style in here? Where's the cute tops and trendy jeans?"
Hermione chuckled. "Because I don't go shopping very often. Jeans and tees are comfortable. Along with jumpers."
"Well, we will have to remedy that. This weekend I'm taking you shopping. And I don't want to hear any backtalk as to why you can't go."
Hermione rolled her eyes. When Tonks had it set in her mind to do something, there was no talking her out of it.
"Fine."
The girls talked for another hour before Tonks left. Hermione gathered her books and papers and went to the common room. There she found Draco sitting at the table, bent over his textbooks. She made a noise before approaching the table as to not startle the boy.
"Hermione, can you help here? I'm stuck and don't know what I should do." Draco said as he seen her.
Hermione looked at him dumbfounded for a moment before regaining herself and sat beside him at the table. She pulled his work towards her.
"I see the problem. Here, this is the tome you need. Chapter 8 tells you what you need as to fix that." She pulled a large book from her bag and set it beside him.
"Thanks." Draco opened to the chapter and scanned the pages. He began scribbling on his parchment once he found what he was looking for.
Hermione began on her DADA essay as Draco finished with his. Neither of them spoke for the next hour unless it was to compare notes. When they were done, Hermione summoned her bag to her room and set a pot of tea to make.
She sat in the armchair and curled her feet under her. "I found some research for you. On how to help you produce a patronus. It's simple really, but for someone who has never conjured it, it may be difficult."
Draco looked at her. "How difficult?"
"If you don't particularly have a happy memeory of any kind, then it can be difficult. If you have some sort of happy memeory then it's very easy. I just thought you'd like to study up on the subject. I also found a few books on Animagus for us as well."
Draco nodded. He stood and held his hand out for Hermione. "Show me, please."
Hermione took his hand, knowing what he meant. She took her wand and cast the charm. As soon as the words left her mouth, an otter popped out and began swimming around the room. She let it float around Draco before ending the charm.
"Amazing. What memory did you use?"
"My parents. Finding out I'm a witch. A mixture of memories really." She shrugged.
"I may have something. Care to help me try?"
"Of course. All you need to do it close your eyes, think on that memory and feel how you felt then. When your entire body is filled with that bit of happiness, you say 'Expecto Patronum'". Hermione showed him how to hold his wand.
Draco stood in front of her and closed his eyes. He though back to when he Mar ethe Quidditch team, on his own. How he felt when he was made Seeker because of his talent. When the memory came full force, he said the incantation.
A small sliver came out of his wand. It made a shape of an animal, but neither him or Hermione could make it out.
"That's a fantastic start. We just need to make new, happy memories for you." Hermione smiled.
Draco gave a slight smile back. He hoped she would be the one to make the memories with. Something inside Draco began to stir for the witch, and he wasn't sure what it was, but it felt right.
A/N: Sorry it's taken awhile to upload. Been busy busy busy. I hope you all enjoy he the story is progressing. It's still a long work in progress. Let me know what you think! Also, let me know what you think Draco's Animagus will be as well as Hermione's! I have ideas I just like to know what you all think! :)