Disclaimer: I only own the plot; the rest is J.K.R.'s.

Cat-like Instincts

Chapter Three: Situations

"Harry, Ron. I'm just going to go up to bed now. Thankfully Professor McGonagall gave the Heads the night off their patrolling duties. I'm exhausted," Hermione informed her friends as she got up from the Gryffindor table.

Harry looked up at her, "Alright, see you in the morning."

"Yeah, and if the ferret gives you any trouble just come to me. I'll take care of it," Ron said seriously to Hermione.

Hermione resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Even if Malfoy bothered her she wasn't going to go running to Ron to tell him about it. She could take care of herself and she could definitely handle Malfoy and whatever he threw at her.

"Sure, Ron," was all Hermione said in response.

Hermione left the Great Hall and began to make her way to the Heads' Dormitory which was on the second floor. Earlier that evening, she had met up with Harry and Ron in the Great Hall and they had bombarded her with questions on Malfoy. Was he really Head Boy? Why did he return to Hogwarts because wasn't he a Death Eater and should be in hiding? Was he giving her any trouble? Did she think he was working with the rogue Death Eaters who had been terrorizing innocent people recently?

Hermione finally got fed up with all their questions and told them to be quiet so they could have a nice dinner together. They agreed reluctantly and returned to the feast on the table.

Hermione stopped suddenly. She was at the entrance to her new living quarters. Guarding the door was a stone statue of a dragon. It kind of reminded her of the entrance to Dumbledore's office.

"Password," the statue growled at her.

Hermione frowned at its gruff tone, but responded anyway, "Moonsword."

The statue immediately stepped aside revealing a beautifully carved oak door. Hermione reached out and pulled on the handle. The door swung outward and she stepped inside the common room. After the oak door shut, she heard the stone dragon move back in place. But, she soon forgot the statue as she examined the Heads' Dormitory.

To her left was a quaint little kitchen that Hermione knew would come in handy during her late night study sessions for her exams. The rest of the room was like a private common room for the Heads. It was decorated in both Gryffindor and Slytherin colors. There was a table surrounded by a couch and two overstuffed chairs near the fireplace. Hermione also noticed that there were two stair cases, one on either side of the hearth. She concluded that they must lead to Malfoy's and her bedrooms.

She went up the right side stair case first and stopped before a wooden door at the top landing. To her relief she saw a golden plaque with her name on it. Hermione opened the door to her new room and looked around. To her right were a large mahogany desk and a closet. To her left were a dresser with a mirror and a door she presumed that lead to the bathroom. Against the far wall and under a window was a canopy bed draped with maroon curtains. Next to the bed was a dresser with a lamp.

Hermione smiled. It was a pleasant room that had a comfortable vibe to it. She looked in the closet and found that her things were already unpacked and put away. Hermione decided to have a look at the bathroom.

The bathroom was pretty big. It was probably because of the giant bathtub which resembled the prefects bathtub. There was also a shower and a mirror above a long counter that contained two sinks. And, of course, there was a toilet.

Across the room was another door.

"That's probably a door that leads to Malfoy's room," Hermione muttered aloud.

She walked over to it and tried the handle. It wasn't locked.

Hermione hesitated, "Should I? Last I saw Malfoy he was still at the feast and I might not ever have another chance. I'll go for it."

And with that Hermione opened the door and quickly walked inside before she chickened out.

She looked around. It wasn't much different except for the coloring. While hers was decorated in reds and golds, his was decorated in greens and silvers.

Hermione walked over to his desk. There was nothing there yet aside from for his school books. She then went over to his closet. It was mostly filled with nice-looking wizarding robes. Nothing exceptional.

Hermione didn't know what she was looking for. In fact, she didn't really think she was looking for anything at all; she was just curious as to what the Draco Malfoy kept in his room. So far he was a pretty normal guy. Hermione thought that the Prince of Slytherin would have had something interesting in his room. Apparently not.

Well Hermione thought I guess I'll just take a quick peek into his dresser and be off. Oh!

Hermione did find something that interested in his dresser, but it really was nothing out of the ordinary.

She held up a pair of silky black boxers. I believe Malfoy is a boxers type of guy. Hermione giggled. Sexy. Hold it! I did not just think that. What on earth am I doing? Why am I in Draco Malfoy's bedroom holding his underwear?! I have to get out of here before-

"What are you doing in my room, Granger?" Draco questioned Hermione, startling her from her thoughts.

Hermione froze. Her back was facing the door where Malfoy was standing. She quickly turned around and timed it just right so she hit the drawer closed with her thigh and kept the boxers hidden behind her back.

Hermione gave nervous laugh, "Oh, this is your room? My mistake."

"So you didn't see my name on the door and you thought your room would be decorated in Slytherin colors. Plus, it's full of my stuff as you must have seen going through my drawers, but you didn't notice," Draco said as he looked at Hermione suspiciously.

"Well, I was really tired and wasn't paying attention. I was a bit thrown off by all the green and silver decorations though. So, I went over to the dresser and looked in the drawer. When I saw your things instead of mine I realized it wasn't my room and was just about to leave."

Draco narrowed his eyes, "Really? And what's behind your back, Granger?"

Hermione's eyes widened slightly. If Malfoy ever found out what was behind her back she would be mortified for life: Hermione Granger, the Gryffindor book-worm and all around goody-two shoes, holding the boxers of Draco Malfoy, the sexy bad boy of Slytherin and her mortal enemy. She would never live it down.

"N-nothing," Hermione stammered unconvincingly as she stuffed the boxers in the waistband of her skirt letting her wizarding robes hide them from view.

"I'm sure, nothing," Draco said mockingly as he strode over to where Hermione stood.

Hermione took her arms from behind her back to show Malfoy that she was empty-handed. Malfoy just looked down at her (he was really quite tall) skeptically.

"You know," Draco stated coolly with a knowing smirk, "they say curiosity killed the cat."

Hermione stiffened, once again reminded of her strange dream. Did Malfoy somehow know about it?

"Granger? Is something wrong? You look scared," Draco asked Hermione, once again almost sounding worried.

Hermione snapped out of it. Malfoy didn't know about the dreams and she was definitely going to keep it that way for everybody.

"It's nothing," Hermione told him, "What's with you and cat adages anyway?"

Draco looked enlightened, "Is that it? You're freaked out about cats? But, I thought you liked cats, Granger. Hey, where is that old cat of yours?"

"I let Crookshanks roam around campus and he is not here at the moment," Hermione responded, thinking it best to ignore his other questions since they could lead him to finding out the truth.

"But-"

"I'm going to bed Malfoy," Hermione interrupted, "I'll see you tomorrow."

Then, she turned and walked out of his bedroom using the bathroom entrance. When Hermione was safely in her own room, she pulled out Malfoy's boxers.

"What am I going to do with these?" she whispered to herself, "I just stole Draco Malfoy's boxers!"

Hermione paused for a moment; I can't give them back now. He'll know I went through his underwear and then think I stole them because I secretly love him or something. It's way too humiliating!

I guess Hermione thought I can keep them. It can't hurt anybody and nobody will know.

She walked over to her own dresser and opened her underwear drawer. Hermione looked around her suspiciously then held the boxers up to her nose and sniffed. They smelled like Draco: spicy and masculine. She quickly hid them beneath her own undergarments.

What was I doing? Hermione thought exasperatedly as she slapped her forehead with the palm of her hand. I am definitely exhausted and need to go to bed right now.

She hastily got ready for bed and when she finally settled down to slumber, she fell asleep instantly.



Draco watched Hermione as retreated back to her own room. She had definitely known this was his room. Draco supposed she was just curious and wanted a look around. He thought it was funny that the Gryffindor Princess was curious enough to sneak into his room and then lie about it. Draco would never have thought Hermione would do something like that.

But Draco frowned something strange is going on with her. Why was she freaked out twice by those cat phrases?

Draco shook his head. It was no use thinking about those things now. He needed to get to sleep so he was awake enough for his first day of actual classes. So, he got ready for bed and fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.



Fenrir Greyback looked at the dilapidated old house wearily. This is where the supposed psychic Daphnia lived. Greyback wanted a reading to guarantee that he had a long and successful future ahead of him and he knew that old, slightly kooky, Daphnia could be trusted.

Greyback walked up the rotting porch steps and knocked on the decaying wooden door.

"Come in," a croaking elderly voice called out.

Greyback walked in to a dimly lit room. When his eyes adjusted he saw a cramped living room to his right filled with things a psychic would use and other oddities. He then noticed a small wizened woman sitting in an overstuffed chair near a coffee table that had a crystal ball sitting atop it.

"Seer Daphnia?" Greyback questioned before he moved any closer.

"Yes, young werewolf? You may come closer, you know I can be trusted," Daphnia stated.

Greyback didn't question how she knew he was werewolf or that he was making sure she could be trusted. Daphnia was really good at what she did. He walked over and sat down in the chair across from her. The table with the crystal ball was between them.

Daphnia smiled at him. Greyback could see she was missing more than a few teeth.

"So," she began in her crackly voice, "you wish to know your future. That you will live long and prosper? I will look into your future, for a price. Three gold coins."

Greyback sighed. He knew Daphnia was going to be expensive, but he hated to part with his money. Once she had her money Greyback looked at her expectantly.

"Let me hold your right hand," Daphnia ordered him and he complied.

Daphnia then began waving her free hand over the crystal ball, "I see…I see…I see a hard future for you, werewolf. You will not triumph over good much to your consternation.

"I also see…a cat-demon?" Then, Daphnia gasped, "Oh, no."

Greyback leaned forward worriedly, "What? What is it?"

Daphnia looked up sadly at him, "I am truly sorry for you, young werewolf. I also see your untimely demise…"

"M-my demise?"

"Yes. The powerful cat-demon I saw will be your downfall. She is the key to your death."

Greyback got over his initial shock and got down to business, "Can you tell me more about this cat-demon?"

Daphnia let go of his hand and peered closer into her crystal ball.

"Hmm." She said and was quiet for a moment, "Right now she is attending Hogwarts and does not understand her gift. However, by the time she defeats you, she will have accepted her gift and be properly trained and informed of it. That is all I know of her."

Greyback contemplated this new information for a moment, "And you're sure it is a she?"

"Yes. Werewolf, I know you are thinking of killing this girl before she can defeat you. I will only tell you this: It is very hard to go against what is already destined for us, but in a few chances, it can be done."

Greyback nodded and headed for the door, "Thank you for your help."

As he closed the door behind him, Greyback heard Daphnia whisper "Good luck," and her malevolent laughter followed him as he left.