Chapter 7
The week was soon coming to an end. During Transfiguration classes, Hermione and Draco worked together on their Animagus assignment. Professor McGonagall was becoming very impressed with how well the pair worked together.
"I would like to say how proud I am of the two of you. Working together as well as you do shows the entire school that two rivalry houses can work together." The professor beamed as the students were gathering their belongings for the end of the day.
"I would like for you to work on conjuring a patronus over the weekend and on Monday demonstrate. If I see the two of you can perfectly conjure it, we will begin on the next step of becoming and Animagus."
Hermione smiled. "Of course Professor. We have actually already began on that. I will help Draco every chance I get."
"Wonderful. Have a good weekend." Professor McGonagall went to leave to her office when Hermione stopped her.
"Professor, has Tonks got an okay from you to travel out of school grounds on Saturday to go shopping? She mentioned it a few evenings ago to me." Hermione asked, slinging her bag over her shoulder.
"In fact she has. As long as it is in a reasonable range, it perfectly fine with me." The professor replied.
"Thank you."
Hermione and Draco left the classroom to head for lunch. As they walked, Draco made small talk with the witch.
"I didn't know you were so close to Assistant Professor Tonks."
She nodded. "I am. We become close a few years ago. And I'm sure she wouldn't mind you calling her just Tonks."
"Okay." Draco nodded. "What kind of shopping will you be doing?"
"Clothes. She thinks I don't have a wide range of 'trendy' clothing. I like simple, tees and jeans, with the occasional jumper. But, I'll go along. Maybe she can change my mind." Hermione smiled at him.
Draco smiled back. His stomach done flips when she smiled at him. He looked away as they made their way into the Great Hall.
They went their separate ways, as usual. Hermione sat near the end of the table, later joined by Harry and Ginny. Draco sat in his usual place. Blaine joined him.
"Draco, why did you come waltzing in with the Mudblood?"
Draco snapped his head over to Blaise. "Can you refrain from using that word? And we had to stay behind with McGonagall after class."
Blaise looked at Draco with a curious look, but didn't say anything. They made small talk through lunch until time to go to next class.
Draco went through the rest of his day in a daze. He couldn't keep his mind on his work, thankfully near the end of class he managed to write down the assignment. He went to the common room as everyone else went about to their last class.
He dropped his bag on the table and walked to the small kitchen and made him a drink. He walked over to the board the held all important notices for the month. He seen on his and Hermione's that they had to work on a new weekly patrol schedule and finish plans for the Halloween Ball that would be held at the end of October.
Since it was his free period, he sat and finished his school work, some he would have to wait for Hermione to see if she had what he needed. When done, he pulled out fresh parchment and began on the payroll schedules, leaving them for Hermione to look over as well.
He was brought out of his thinking when an owl tapped on the window behind him. He stood to open it and the owl dropped the roll of parchment, grabbed a waiting treat and flew away.
Draco unrolled it to find it was from the Headmistress.
'To my Head Boy & Girl,
Due to recent events, I would like for the two of you to come to the Halloween Ball together to show house unity. The two of you have shown how well houses can work together.
With the both of you being my top students and a role model for your own House, it is in my sincerest opinion that the both of you show others how easy it is to get along.
Please send reply with the final preparations for the Ball no later than the first of October, being next week.
Sincerely,
Headmistress McGonagall'
Draco immediately went to work on a theme for the Ball. He was so into his plans that he never heard Hermione enter the common room.
Hermione entered the common room and seen Draco sitting at the table, his head down, scribbling away on his parchment. She smiled at how into his work he was. She put her bag down on the sofa and went to the kitchen to make her a cuppa.
The noise startled Draco and he jumped. He looked up to see Hermione's back to him in the kitchen.
"Bloody hell, Granger. You scared the shit out of me."
"Sorry, Draco. You were so into your work that I didn't want to disturb you." She gave him an apologetic smile.
Draco stood, grabbing the parchment as he did, and walked over the the small island and sat.
"I worked out a new patrol schedule and I just need you to look it over before I make copies and send it out. Also, McGonagall sent this about the Ball and that is what I was working on when you came in."
Hermione looked over the schedule, gave her okay and sent out copies to all the Prefects. Then she read the letter from the Headmistress, then looked at Draco's plans.
"I actually love this idea, Draco. That would be perfect for the Ball. Everyone go in couples. How about this, we can have it where they can be a couple from both muggle and wizarding world, so the muggleborns can have ideas for a costume."
Draco smiled. "I'm glad you like it. Should we go ahead and send this off then? Any other ideas you'd like to add?"
Hermione looked it over, adding just a few things for foods and decorations and sent it off with Draco's approval of her ideas.
For the rest of the afternoon, the two finished any school work and began working on Draco's patronus.
"Now, close your eyes, think of anything that makes you happy, let it fill you and try again." Hermione spoke softly.
Draco done what she said, and said the spell. A silver whisp of smoke come from his wand and circled then disappeared. Neither of them were able to make out what it was. They made a few more attempts before giving up for the night.
They had dinner in the common room, talking about anything and everything before going their separate ways. Draco stood, stretched and walked over to Hermione who stood by the staircase. They walked up together and before Hermione went to her room, Draco stopped her.
"Thank you, for everything." He pushed a strand of hair behind her ear and gave her a light kiss on the cheek. He said a quiet goodnight and disappeared into his room.
Hermione stood in shock. Did Draco Malfoy, the boy who has made her life hell at some point, actually just thank her? And kiss her cheek?
Saturday morning had Hermione waking in a wonderful mood. She turned on her muggle disc player that she had fixed to work at the school, turned the music up as she took a shower. She washed her hair and body. She dried off when she was done and wrapped the towel around her. She done her hair magically to have soft waves down her back, with a little of each side braided and pulled back.
She went to her closet and found her favorite Capri pants, and matched it with her purple peasant style top. She dressed and walked downstairs. When she came down, Tonks was there already, having a conversation with Draco.
"Good morning." She greeted as she walked to the island and made her a spice of toast and tea.
"Hello my lovely. I love the outfit." Tonks said, still sitting beside Draco. "Might want to lift that jaw up from the ground before she sees." She whispered to a very awestruck Draco.
"Thank you." Hermione smiled. "Morning, Draco."
"Morning, Hermione."
"Well, if you will, let's get the show on the road. Headmistress gave us a time limit today." Tonks said, standing.
"I'm coming." Hermione summoned her purse from her room and gave Draco a smile and left with Tonks.
A/N: So so sorry it has been so long! There has been alot of things come up. I hope you enjoy this chapter. Chapter 8 is almost complete! Sorry for any grammatical errors. I'm writing this phone and not everything catches. Also, would anyone like to guess what Draco's patronus will be and possible Animagus for our pair?