Title: Break My Heart Not My Face
Author: Leopard Print and Diamonds
Notes: Special thanks go to everyone who's reviewed, added this to their faves, or added a story alert!
Disclaimer: Harry Potter stuff belongs to JKR. I just wrote this story.
Chapter Three: Somebody Avada Me Already
Every student (and professor)at the welcome feast knew about Malfoy's little tumble from the Hogwarts Express. They also knew that a squish-faced, scruffy cat was responsible. Already, a whispering wave of gossip was calling this the Slytherin Prince's well-deserved 'fall from grace'--all thanks to an overweight cat owned by a Muggle-born genius.
The Head's table was secluded, ornately-carved, and only big enough for two people. Hermione sat on one end, her hands folded primly in her lap. Draco sat on the opposite, his anger and embarrassment barely contained as students began to fill the hall.
"Meeeoooooowr!!!!" Someone from a group of Hufflepuffs called as they walked by. Malfoy's head snapped in their direction. His hands clenched into white-knuckled fists. Things only got worse.
Malfoy grimaced when a girl from Ravenclaw brought Hermione a jingle bell that 'Crookshanks might enjoy batting around'. He outright growled when the captain of the Hufflepuff Quidditch team brought Hermione a varsity sweater that 'might make a cozy bed for Crookshans'. Hermione graciously accepted the presents. She ignored Malfoy's narrowed, piercing gaze.
He hmphed through the Sorting Hat ceremony and mumbled through singing the school's alma mater. When it was time to eat, Hermione wanted to sneak to the Gryffindor table. Her eyes met Ron's from across the hall. She sent him a look of pleading despair.
"We-will-see-you-to-mor-row!" He gestured as he mouthed the syllables. Hermione nodded, then waved to Harry and Ginny. She watched as Ginny crinkled her nose, turned toward Harry, and batted at his shoulder like a cat with a ball of yarn. Harry threw his head back and flailed his arms in the air, pantomiming Malfoy's fall. Hermione nearly laughed pumpkin juice out her nose. She pretended to cough as Malfoy glared icily at her. Surprisingly, he didn't say a word. His broad shoulders hunched in an angry sulk over his meal. Silently, Hermione ate the rest of her vegetarian lentil casserole.
At the end of the tense dinner, McGonagall and Snape lead the two Heads of House to their dormitory wing. A large portrait of a Victorian man and woman drinking tea guarded the passageway.
"Ms. Granger and Mr. Malfoy, I would like to introduce you to Lady Regina and Lord Locklin. Be warned--they will be keeping an eye out for any ... shenanigans. So please mind your manners. Each Friday evening before you do rounds, you're to see either Professor Snape or myself for the new password. Understood?"
Hermione and Draco nodded. Snape scowled.
"And for your personal comfort, Miss Granger," The potions master hissed her name, "young Mr. Malfoy has also been instructed against using certain words to describe your ... less-than-pure wizarding blood." His lips curled, attempting an insincere smile. He managed a sideways sneer.
McGonagall hmphed under her breath.
"In order to be fair in the matter, Ms. Granger, you are also forbidden to call Mr. Malfoy crude names. Understood?"
Hermione nodded.
"Good. The password this week is 'Quidditch pitch'. Please report to Professor Snape's office at nine o'clock tomorrow evening for instructions on your first rounds. Be sure to wear your pins, and have your robes crisply pressed. Congratulations and good evening to you both." McGonagall spoke in her most stern voice. Pride shone in her eyes as she squeezed Hermione's shoulder and gave her a secret wink. Hermione smiled. It had taken six years of hard work to get here. She would make the Gryffindor house proud.
A tense silence followed Hermione and Malfoy into their common room. The space was warm and inviting. It had a crackling fire and fine brown leather furniture. Everything was lovely, but Hermione knew she would never use the room. She wanted to keep a grand distance between herself and Draco. That meant keeping to her private, password-locked bedroom. In the morning, she'd slather the door in protective charms.
Sighing, Hermione decided it was time for bed. She watched Draco from the corner of her eyes. He sat down on the chair closest to the fire and vacantly stared at the flickering flames. Hermione shuffled slowly away from him. At a safe distance, she spoke. It was better to be civil than to start a screaming match. As much as she loathed him...
"Listen, I'm sorry about Crookshanks. I'm glad you're not hurt. Don't worry about what people say. There's always a new person for the masses to pick on. It's how school works." She offered quietly.
Pure hatred, not fire light, gave his eyes a bright glow.
"You'll regret it, Granger. No one makes a fool of a Malfoy." He spoke in a voice so soft, Hermione could barely hear his words. He didn't throw a temper tantrum or snivel in outrage. Instead, he clenched his hands together and bowed his head. For the first time, Hermione took him seriously. A shiver crawled like a spider down her spine. She grit her teeth and stamped her hands on her hips.
"I don't have to make a fool of you. You do a bloody good job of that yourself." She spoke to him as if scolding a small child. "I apologized once for Crookshanks. Don't expect anything more from me. Good evening." She titled her head in a formal bow.
Her bedroom door closed with a firm click. She put a silencing charm on it, just to be sure Malfoy wouldn't listen in on her. Who knew what kind of evil plans were floating in his arrogant albino head. Groaning in frustration, Hermione fell face-first onto her king-sized bed. She buried her face into the burgundy silk duvet.
What she really wanted to do was hex his ass into next Thursday ... After all the horrible gossip he'd stirred up about Harry, Ron, and herself, now suddenly HE felt like a FOOL? Hermione was half-tempted to create a karma spell to teach him a lesson. Maybe she would save it for a rainy day, if and when he went through with his threat. A spell like that could easily get her in loads of trouble, though. And whiny little Draco Malfoy wasn't worth it.
Exhausted, she sighed and magically turned out the lights.