A/N: Dude, all my work of this chapter was erased and this is the second time I'm writing it. Hooray. But I'm still happy.
White paint flickered onto my olive skin and into my hair as I, almost as if I were a robot, moved the paintbrush in easy strokes going up and down. My hair clung to my forehead as I sweat. I shifted, looking over my shoulder, seeing the cold eyes bore into me and chiseled jaw clenched, as if he were angry. I looked out the window; it was already Day Two of my stay here. Yesterday, I mostly rested, thinking of what questions to ask of Malfoy and what else I should do.
Malfoy snapped his fingers. "Stop." I collapsed on the chair I had set up, looking at the wall on which the door frame was on and the opposite wall I had just painted. "You're done."
"Heard you the first time." I muttered, brushing against him as I made my way upstairs. I looked at my arm inquisitively and inhaled. Since i had brushed against him, I could smell a sweet smelling cologne and musk. This smell made me feel light-headed, but almost in a good way. I gave a small smile as I loaded the paint cans inside of the bathroom cupboard; why were they kept in the bathroom? Strange to me.
I went down stairs, but only just. When I was at the top, Malfoy stood, angrier looking than ever. I was cowed; what had I done wrong, and if I had, what was he going to do?
"I need to try something on you." And before I felt my mouth open in protest, an orange jet of light shot out from his wand. I expected to be blown back, have my head swollen, or had tumbled down the stairs. But I hadn't felt anything...until the room seemed to be a little warmer. Someone must have closed a window. And then, I got a bit hotter; I fanned myself when I started to sweat. The heat couldn't be ignored at this point; it felt like I was melting! in a desperate attempt to not kill myself, i ripped off my crop top, making sure not to actually tear it in the process. Sitting, panting, with nothing but my corset and skirt, all of the heat stopped.
I looked up at a smirking Malfoy, but (And I blushed at this) I couldn't help but notice he looked more handsome than ever, as he smirked, his face was more pointed, but admittedly, even through all of my outrage of what he had done, his eyes became less cold and his hair was oddly tousled more. Wait, good thoughts about Malfoy? The bastard just cursed me!
"Give...me..t-the counter-cu-urse!" I stammered, the sweat dripping off of my nose slowly. My eyes began to water when suddenly, my face towards the ground, I felt something sweep over me and I gave a long shudder. I was returning back to normal temperature. Kind of grossed out by the sweat on my shirt, I blushed, putting it back on when things got colder.
The crafty bastard, he made a Heating and Freezing Charm! I began to shiver; I pulled my skirt close to my skin; i could even see my breath in the room temperature. My skin began to get paler, and as my black hair swept into my face as I made a desperate attempt to keep warm, I felt lightheaded. My heart beat was slowing down and I tried reaching out with a limp hand from my huddling towards Malfoy, who's face was suddenly full of alarm and worry. I blinked slowly as the images in front of me swayed.
Malfoy looked so far away, but then his image came back again. "Claire!" But it seemed to echo in my mind, growing louder and fainter. "Claire! Claire!" It kept echoing. I was feeling so cold, my blood was like syrup almost. The mast thing I saw before all went fuzzy and black was a blonde figure walking towards me.....
I've got this down. Ron is pretty skeptical, but I say I've got this. Its such a beautiful wedding, but we had to be prepared.
Then, boom. A table of witches explodes, causing family members to scream and evacuate the small tables set up outside.
Bill chases after her, her white dress' trail drifting off as she pulls her wand out. I run behind a pole, covered in flowers under the arch, firing off spells like an AK47.
Voldemort appears, of course. But we're ready. Or so I thought. Harry makes a desperate attept to flee; the Horcruxes had been found, but what could he do?
Bellatrix approached me, looking greedy to get her hands on me, a Mudblood. 'Well, not this Mudblood, and not today!' I thought, stunning her. Dolohov approached me quickly also. I saw a Death Eater carrying Ron, but was knocked out by an impressive Stun by Ginny.
My eyelids fluttered, and I heard screaming as the frame in front of me vanished and my one of Malfoy's ceiling began. Little did I know I was the one screaming.
"Stop it! Stop!" Draco said in a commanding tone, with the slightest hint that he was panicked. I stopped , sitting up dizzily.
"A-Are you alright?" he stammered, not sure what to say. I just gave him look full of resentment as I lifted myself up off of the couch and walked away from him. "I-I w-wasn't sure what the spell was going to do, you see, necessarily." Even through my resentment, I couldn't help but to feel bad. He constantly ran his hand through his hair, rubbing them together feverently. Was he really worried? I turned, trying to manage a softened look.
"It's okay. I'm fine." But I felt cold shivers in my chest from that little flashback.
"You're shaking! This is all my fault." He said. He took his cloak, swiftly sweeping it around me. Why was Malfoy nervous? Did it have to do with something concerning his position? Maybe he didn't ant to harm me because...he needed me?
"Is everything okay with you?" I asked. I had stopped shivering, but was shaking.
"No, I just.." He sighed. "I'm pretty nervous. I was scared you might, well, die." I coulden't believe my eyes. Malfoy...cared about people, let alone me? "Here, you can have the night off." I sighed. This would give me plenty of time to complete my mission.
"I'll make it up to you." He offered. "Do you like books?" My head shot up instantly.
"Do I?!" I squealed excitedly. He chuckled at my obviously excited expression.
"Then you will like what I have to show you." He said, grinning broadly.
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"Wow." I said softly, shock freezing me momentarily. He had a whole entire library in the attic?! Who would've known?! The walls were lined with different color borders and skins of different books, some shiny, some leather, others old, yellow and peeling. I gave a unintentional high-pitched squeal as I ran into the room, cobwebs sweeping onto my feet. I looked at the books and tried to fit into my memory; maybe he had some book about Dark Arts..
"See anything you like?" He asked quietly from the doorway. A meaningful smile spread on my lips.
"I love it." It was probably the most honest thing I'd ever said, and I twitched as if I were stung by a bee. Being a spy is such a deceitful job. To my surprise, he grinned big again, porcelain teeth flashing. I stepped towards him.
"I love it a lot, where have you bought these?"
"Flourish and Blotts, you know, the normal shops in Diagon Alley. But that was long ago. I can't go out, and I don't have a choice." I laughed lightly.
"We all have a choice." I said softly, partly to him and partly to myself.
"Not when some can't see the good in people." he chuckled, as if speaking to himself. I found myself, out of nowhere, feeling ultimate sympathy and taking his hand. He wasn't just only a braggart and bully.
"Only those who are blind." I said, putting more emotion into it then intended.
And before I knew it, he had pulled me even closer, kissing me lightly on the lips. I felt like screaming and pulling away, disgusted, but my legs were pudding and my brain was too. I didn't feel panicked, b His ever so light kiss made me light headed, and it didn't get any deeper, but lingered still. Before I knew it, my hand was on his back, and I was kissing him back, I couldn't resist; there was something about his touch, even though it was gentle-his lips and hands-there was something that felt as if it were electrocuting me with pleasure, and the waves passed through my body, straight to my legs, making them limp. I don't' know what it was, but I felt it everywhere, making my skin tingle. He didn't seem to have any intention to pull away.
Then he deepened the kiss, forcefully pinning me against the wall. I didn't care; it just increased the intensity flowing through me. But, with a sudden blink of my eyes…
He wasn't kissing Hermione Granger, he was kissing Claire Terversa! I pulled away quickly and I cleared my throat awkwardly so it sounded as if I was going to puke. He took note of this, straitening his shirt collar and also clearing his throat.
"I'm sorry, completely inappropriate." But his body language said, to my horror, he wanted to do it again.
"Yes, very, must go, getting late." I gave a nervous weak smile before running out of the room, downstairs, and into my room. My heart thundered in my ears.
"Oh, no! I'm supposed to be doing my mission and he's kissing me, but his lips are so soft and gentle-he's bloody Malfoy-and he doesn't see like it-OH!" I slapped my forehead, hard, but too hard that I began to rub it comfortingly. What was I thinking? What would the Order say? I gasped.
The Order! I've been so preoccupied, I just, ugh, forgot about everything! Well, then again, I did deserve a break. I took off my shoes and pulled the scratchy blanket over me. Then, the door swung open with a noisy bang.
I sat upright, hands in a ready position to fight if needed when I realized it was Malfoy. Again, surprising me, he held me up and kissed me again, more forcefully on the lips.
Damn, not this again. My legs had that same melted feeling......and this time, I kissed him back with all the hatred and all the feelings I had strangely felt for him. Yes, that's right. I felt something for Malfoy;maybe it was a deep hatred, maybe it was some sort of genentic pull, but I was drawn to him like snakes to mice. Obviously, I was the little mouse. He stopped, breathing heard while I was completely breathless with shock. He doesn't know...I'm Hermione, for God's sake!
"Well, how about we just leave it at that?" he said, grinning, leaving me in silent shock and closing the door.
Damn.
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"Malfoy?" I called warily. It was late morning, and I had overslept, getting dressed quickly, worrying Malfoy had minded. It was another hot, steaming day at the Malfoy Manor as I walked out of my door. I yawned, stretching my legs. I heard a shout from down the hall and I panicked, startled. Was he harmed? But then, I stopped. Why should I care? But, I could not deny, after that kiss, my feelings towards him were different; way different. But I heard another cry from his room. I stealthily made my way to the front, pulling out the little coin purse from my corset; it was full of Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder, just incase.
"Malfoy?" I said into the crack of the door, but nothing happened. I heard something, but I wasn't sure what it was. Nervous and sweat forming on my hands, knowing I hoped he was okay, I swung the door open with a bang.
My eyes widened in absolute shock. I found Malfoy in a compromising position with a lady with black hair and fair skin, about my age. He just stared at me as if he was just having his tea. But the fact that they were doing things of the recreational nature wasn't what was shocking; it was the girl under him; A fairly of age Pansy Parkinson.
"Who's that?" she asked rather rudely. I covered my eyes, blushing wildly, looking away.
"Malfoy-I-have-to-talk-to-you." I said quickly, and all of a sudden, to my horror, jealousy began to flourish.
"Erm, uh, you want to....dismount?" I asked nervously.
"Oh, yeah." I blushed, looking away again as he and his lover dressed. My eyes widened again in realization. Parkinson! If she was a Death Eater, which would mean Draco was associated too! Yes, that's right, Hermione, keep focused! Who has time for silly crushes? I decided I was too old of that by now. When they both were, Pansy conjured a sneer at me.
"Who are you, chambermaid?" she asked snidely.
"She's no chambermaid, Parkinson. She is the only maid who works here, and a good one too." He winked at me and I saw the smallest hint of a smile as he stared coldly at Pansy, dressed in a miniskirt and cami, clad with chunky sandals. Why was Malfoy being so nice to me? He had kissed me, but surely, it was out of pure loneliness. Or hatred.
"She your slut then?" she spat at me, even though she was speaking to Malfoy. I rolled my eyes; she had a tendency to immediately hate and resent anyone even close to Malfoy.
"No, you are, you two Knut whore, now get out my room, or I'll have you sent to Azkaban till your skin peels from head to toe." he said coldly. No matter how horrible Pansy was to me for 7 years, the comment did seem rude, and she thought so as she gathered her purse and other things, walking out with her nose in the air.
"That was mean." I said bluntly as Malfoy surveyed the room, hearing me, but still had his mind on thoughts as he organized.
"I was sticking up for you. If this is the reaction I get, then don't expect any more of that." he said.
"Oh, right. I'm sorry, Malfoy. What was she doing here?" I asked innocently. He shrugged.
"I needed a good shag." I silently gagged and my senses flared with anger. So, that's all he needed, a good shag? He stared at me and I glared back coldly, regretting ever laying eyes-or my lips-on such a fiend.
He blinked several times. "I was only joking."
I gave a relieved sigh, my glare dampening, and he chuckled. "Claire, don't be so..uptight!" My head snapped up.
"Uptight! I am not uptight!" I said indignantly. He gave that annoying small, knowing smile.
"Oh, shut up!" I said, throwing a pillow at him roughly before stomping out of the room. I, Her-er, Claire, can not stand that boy! Before I could slam my door, he appeared int he hallway.
"Come on, what did I do?" He asked stupidly.
"You are such a four year old trapped in a man's body." I said coldly, sitting on my bed. To my surprise, with a sincere look, he sat down next to me.
"So.." he put a leg up on to the nightstand, stretching. "You think I have a manly body?"he said huskily. I stuck out my tongue in disgust.
"Leave me be, I'm just a maid, remember?" I turned folding my arms. Wait, what had I just said?!
"Now what's that supposed to mean?" He said, a more serious look on his face. I glared at him as inside, I started to panic. He came closer, and my body tensed as I thought Please doesn't touch me, please don't touch me...
He walked around me playfully. "What's this? The little maid likes the big, bad, dragon?"
"Hardly." I said with a cold expression, but I still felt my sudden pull towards him. He snaked an arm around my waist and my breath quickened. I bet I looked like I was hyperventilating as he bent his head down to my ear, his breath warm against my skin.
"Well, my little Claire, I've had my eye on you since the moment you stepped in." He pulled me closer so that we were touching and I could feel his heat on me. "Your mind is so expanded, I find your personality just amazing and you just look ravishing." 'he purred. I felt myself limping in his arms, his breath intoxicating and his voice taking me over. "And Parkinson? She means nothing to me, the little slut climbed in through my window, and, well.."
Again, taking me for surprise, he captured my lips, and I found myself in that dreamy land again, when instantly, my conscience kicking in, I pushed away.
"NO! You...I...no! I can't, and I'm not yours!" I snarled. He looked angry.
"Why not? I think you're sexy, you think I am, and here we are." he said. I was taken aback.
"Even if I wanted to, which I don't, I wouldn't go out with you! Or shag you!" I added just in case.
"Oh, and why not? You know you want to!" he said, an amused look on his face as my face reddened.
"Because...because.." He had a pleasant look on his face though.
"So, whose the lucky bastard?" he asked bluntly.
"I don't have a boyfriend either, but it's not like I want to be with you, you over-sexed playboy!" I shouted. "Anyways, I'm nothing but a maid, and you've made that clear to me! So I'm going to go do...maid things! And don't speak to me unless you must!"
I surveyed him, to see him have hope in his eyes for something. He did momentarily. I got up, leaving the room. I walked out, shutting the door softly, and he still sat on the bed, looking out of the cobweb and dusty window. I felt kind of guilty; he must have been rubbing off on me, I was probably acting horrible. But it was true, I had to refuse him.
He was so handsome though, and even if he may be the same, he was...different. I wasn't sure how, but different. I sighed, rubbing my forehead. Talk about mixed feelings. Malfoy seemed like a changed man, but he was so chauvinistic! And even if he wasn't how was I going to explain I was a spy for the Order and everything I've ever said was a lie? I shook my forehead, clearing my mind, trying to focus. he was still in my room and I saw this as my moment and taking out the coin purse, I took a pinch of the powder out, dropping it, and before I knew it, that whole corridor was shrouded in impenetrable darkness.
I had only used a little, so I had ten minutes. I ran to the room, making sure my heels didn't click as I shuffled. Slowly opening the door, I instantly had a feeling there was something on the bed. I looked under the suede and satin green sheets, looking for something, anything, but I couldn't find a thing when I realized I forgot Harry's cloak! I sucked in my breath through my teeth; I was thinking so hard I forgot! I snuck back out, hearing the floorboards creak thought the darkness.
Malfoy was still in my room, just staring out of the window at the hot summer day. I sat down next to him.
"Hey, erm, sorry..if I...was harsh." he just looked at me with a cold glare.
"Who said I wanted to be with you, Half-blood?! Get away and go to your duties!" I scowled, but yanked out the cloak slowly, bundling it up behind my back. Eeek, I had done it. Malfoy was too into his own thoughts, judging by his face. I could see deep emotion in his eyes, like bitter and sadness mixed. I felt even worse, thinking of him. I quietly left, and realizing the darkness was gone, I used another pinch, then snuck back in, sweeping the Invisibility Cloak over me.
Going back under the covers again, I found nothing. I turned towards one of the drawers, opening it carefully and blushing; it was full of his boxers and briefs. Making sure I didn't make any noise, I slammed it quickly. I went through the mahogany red closet, and seeing nothing but a couple of outfits, travelling cloaks, and formal wear. His shoes consisted of sneakers, formal black shoes, and sandals. I even put them each upside down; but nothing. After a few minutes, I realized he's completely clean. I searched the vanities, the drawers, under the dressers, even.
My hairs stood on end as he opened the door. Before he could shut it, I stuck my foot in the crack, causing him to pause and look down, giving me enough time to squeeze between him and the door. Luckily, he didn't shut it on my Cloak as I left. I went back in my room, pulling out the compact, and saying Ginny's name into it. I was surprised to see a view of Ginny's bed in Grimmauld Place and Ginny, writing furiously. She saw my face and startled, picked it up. Her eyes had angry red circles around them, and I gasped.
"Oh, Hermione.....we captured Dolohov and he put...a curse on Tonks. It's real bad, Hermione, terrible!" she sobbed before taking the mirror and going down the stirs from my view. I could see Remus, leaning against the doorway, a hand vertical on his forehead, overshadowing his eyes.
"She started passing out, having a fever. She also kept on sneezing and coughing, she vomited a couple times, and her hair started falling out. She also can't talk and said a while ago she was in constant pain. And, oh, just look at him!" I gasped again. I saw the reason he was covering his eyes; I saw tears splatter on the ground below him. And what took me aback more was the fact he was whimpering like an injured animal. "He almost put up a fight when the Healers tried taking her, and he hasn't moved, ate, or talked for the past 8 hours. He hasn't even slept." She approached him cautiously.
"Remus? Please!" she exclaimed. "It's Hermione, maybe she can say something..." I felt my heart ache to be there, even hug him; I'd never seen him lose control, and I kew how much Ginny thought of Tonks as a big sister, and Remus cared for her very much.
"Oh, Remus, I'm so sorry I can't be there! I know how much you cared about Tonks...I hope you'll be okay."
"She'll be fine, Hermione. Progress on mission?" he said as if everything was fine, but there was still that slight whimper and croak in his voice.
"I got in his room, he's clean. Nothing whatsoever, I think soon enough, I can tell him about the Order and our side." Remus nodded, and Ginny took the mirror back upstairs.
"Gin, we have to talk...I kissed Malfoy...several times." I admitted quietly. She gave a stifled yelp.
"Hermione! How could you be falling for such a..a.."
"Gin! First of all, I'm not falling for anyone. Second, he's not the same. Something's changed him, and I'm going to find out what!" Ginny sighed, rubbing her head. "Anyways, he slept with Pansy or something....but, I don't know..he seems so...likeable."
"You do realize this will screw you over in the future." Ginny said.
"Oh, yeah." I laughed before closing the compact, then let my laughter fade into a worried groan.
A/N: And there you go.