Chapter 9
"Mr. Malfoy. Are you ready to demonstrate your patronus?" Professor McGonagall asked Draco near the end of the lesson.
"Yes, Professor." He stood and walked to the front of the class with Hermione and took a breath.
"When you're ready, please." The older witch said.
Draco closed his eyes and thought of the happiest memories he had. When he opened his eyes, he said the incantation.
"Expecto Patronum!" A silver whisp of smoke came circling out of his wand. He couldn't believe what he was seeing.
"Very good, Mr. Malfoy. Miss Granger of you will." Professor McGonagall waved at Hermione.
"Expecto Patronum!" Hermione's other came flowing out of her wand. It began circling Draco's.
The class was in a uproar of whispers. "They match!" "How is that possible?" "How did they do that?"
Hermione looked to Draco, who looked dumbfounded. When he looked at her, he seen a bright smile on her face. He couldn't help but smile back at her. The two watched as their otters danced around them before disappearing.
"Well, I must say, what splendid work. The two of you are very special indeed. I believe the next step is in order to becoming an Animagus." Professor McGonagall smiled at them.
"Alright, class. Ypur assignment is on the board. One roll of parchment in essay form due by the end of the week. You are dismissed."
Hermione and Draco went to retrieve their belongings when the professor came to them. She had a bright twinkle in her eye.
"I must say I am very proud of the work you two have done. The next step will be to brew the potion you must drink after a month of holding a mandrake leaf on the roof of your mouth. I will have it arranged for you two to work on it in Potions for the next few weeks. Once you get the potion brewing, you must come see me so I can begin the next step."
"Yes, Professor." Both students said.
"Your assignment is to write me a roll of parchment on the effects of Animagus both good and bad. Due at the end of the week. Also, continue to find your inner self to find your Animagus form."
The students nodded and left the room. The two walked in silence to their next class. Both of them trying to wrap their heads around Draco's patronus being the same as Hermione's.
"It's happened before, you know." Hermione said quietly.
"What has?"
"Two patronus being the same. Professor Snape's was a doe, the same as Harry's mother's. He loved her since they were children, always regretting what he had done to her. His love for her never died." Hermione hugged her books to her chest as she spoke.
Draco thought a moment. "Do you think mine is the same as yours because of when I seen you as a kid and never forgot you?"
Hermione shrugged. "Possibly. Or the fact that we have been together so much lately that your feelings are progressing in your patronus to match mine."
Before Draco could respond, they made it to class. The rest of the day was quiet for the two of them. When Draco returned to his room, he had a letter laying on his desk.
He picked it up and began to read.
"Dearest Draco,
I have your order ready. It awaits your approval in my quarters. Feel free to come by anytime to take a look."
Draco smiled. He wrote back saying he would be there that weekend during the Hogsmead trip.
The week flew for Hermione, constantly busy with the new assignment from Professor McGonagall and making sure her revisions for the first half of term papers. Soon Saturday made its way to her and she was happy to have a break.
She woke that morning, showered and dressed. She chose a pair of black skinny jean capris, her lavender off the shoulder top that had long sleeves that flowed at the wrists and a pair of silver scrappy sandals. She pulled her hair up and went on her way.
At breakfast, she found Harry. She gave him a smile and sat.
"Wow, you look beautiful." Harry said.
"Thank you." She smiled. "So, what are we doing today?"
Harry swallowed his food and spoke. "Well, I thought we'd have stroll to Honeydukes then we could do some shopping for the Halloween Ball then have lunch at Madam Rosemerta's."
"Sounds like fun."
They finished breakfast and began the walk to Hogsmead. Harry talked Hermione's ear off the entire walk there. Hermione nodding when it was appropriate. They made it to Honeydukes and purchased a few sweets then looked in the windows of a few shops.
"So, Hermione, I was wondering, would you be my date to the Halloween Ball?"
"Oh, well, I'm sorry Harry, but Headmistress asked for Draco and I to go together since we're head boy and girl. To promote house unity."
"And you agreed? You actually agreed to go with him?" Harry's voice began rising.
"Harry, lower your voice. Yes, I agreed. I think it's a great idea. Who else than to start the ball than two people who used to despise each other than Draco and I?"
"I think it's ridiculous, Hermione." Harry huffed and crossed his arms across his chest.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Don't be childish, Harry. It's just a Ball. Something we are doing for everyone. I, for one, don't mind. Draco and I have become friends since the start of term. I've been working with him for Transfiguration. We work well together."
"Are you even listening to yourself? Becoming friends with Malfoy? I find that hard to believe. I'm surprised he can keep himself from insulting you."
"He has been quite polite. No blood status slurs or anything. Why are you acting this way?" Hermione asked, shaking her head.
"Because Hermione! I don't want you going to the Ball and he make a fool out of you. I won't stand for it!" Harry yelled and stomped his foot.
"Harry James Potter! I will not stand for you to yelling at me and being a stubborn child! You cannot tell me who I can and cannot go to a dance with. You are my friend, not my father."
"Well, if your going with bloody Malfoy, then consider me no longer your friend. I won't watch you get hurt. Dont come crying to me when he breaks your heart and leaves you on the floor crying." Harry walked away, leaving Hermione stating after him.
Hermione decided she was no longer hungry. She made her way back to the school and up to the common room. She changed into something more comfortable and went to the library. She curled up on the window seat and began reading. She stayed there for the rest of the day, until it was time for dinner. She put her school robe over her clothes and went down.
She ate by herself and when done, went back to her room. She went to bed and lay down, falling asleep soon after.
Draco left shortly after Hermione. He asked the Headmistress for permission to use her floo to go home that morning. She granted it and opened it for him to go and come.
Draco arrived in the drawing room of Malfoy Manor to see his mother sitting there.
"Good morning, Draco."
"Good morning, Mother. I received your letter yesterday evening." He gave his mother a kiss on her cheek and sat in the armchair across from her.
"I thought you might. I must say, you picked something difficult but I was able to pull it off." She took a sip of her tea. "Tell me about the Ball. Who are you taking?"
"It's a Halloween Ball that Headmistress thought would be good for everyone. I'm taking Hermione Granger."
Narcissa Malfoy nearly spit her tea pio when her son spoke the name. "Why on earth would you take her?"
"McGonagall thinks it will be a good example of house unity seeing as we are Head Boy and Girl from rival houses."
"You couldn't take anyone else?" Narcissa asked, her cup to her lips.
"No, Mother. I couldn't." In his mind he wanted to add that he didn't want to take anyone but Hermione.
"Well, I honestly do not think it is right for you to not be able to choose who you take."
Draco kept his tongue. "I must be off now. Thank you, Mother. It is absolutely beautiful. I will send it off now before I depart."
Draco flicked his wand and the package disappeared. He gave his mother a kiss on the cheek before disappearing thru the Floo. He thanked McGonagall when he stepped out and headed for his room.
He changed clothes and sat at his desk, writing a letter. When dinner time came around, he put his school robe over his clothes and headed down to the Great Hall. He had seen Hermione sitting by herself, wondering why she looked so sullen.
He couldn't help but notice the glares Potter was giving him. He shook his head, finished his dinner and left. He tried to catch up to Hermione but she was quicker. By the time he reached the dorm room, she was already upstairs.
He went to his room, changed into his pajamas and crawled into bed. He laid there thinking before falling asleep.
A/N: So sorry my lovelies for not updating sooner! I've had this chapter written, just never got to post. Next chapter will be up soon. Things have been crazy for me! Hope you like this one :)