Chapter 18:
Encounters of the Threatening Sort
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"What," came a shriek from the black device, "I handpicked those girls! I-I…" The voice of Pansy broke off into tears and Millicent could be heard patting her back sympathetically.
"So what do we do now Draco?" The sound of patting had been drowned out by poorly muffled sobs.
"We go to the source of his insanity, of course. H-"
"Harry Potter! Of course, why didn't I think of that?"
Draco proceeded to hit his head on the wall as Pansy spouted off theories of Blaise and Harry's eternal love.
"No. Hermione is the source. Just," he sighed exasperatedly. "Just keep her busy after Potions. Ask for help or something…"
Pansy gasped and clutched a hand to her heart. "Draco! I most certainly do not need help in Potions-"
"Yes, yes. You've told us- private 'tutoring' and all. Pretend you need help, Pansy. Can you do that for me?"
Pansy sighed dreamily, "Of course, sugar-"
"Right," Millie pulled the device away from Pansy, "I'll watch her."
"Thanks Mill."
Hermione stared flabbergasted at the figure in front of her.
"Pansy…"
The blonde girl struggled to hide a scowl and screwed up her face in what she thought was a helpless expression.
"Hermione, I really need help with the Fallax potion. I-I don't," she hesitated and then lunged at Hermione doing her best to sob, "I'm so stupid!"
"Um, there, there, Pansy. I'm sure it not all that bad. "
Hermione awkwardly patted the slightly shorter girls back and searched in vain for Harry and Ron.
Not seeing anyone but Draco Malfoy and Millicent Bullstrode, she glared angrily at the intruders and gestured toward the prostrate girl.
"Do you mind?"
Draco smirked and stepped closer to her, "Yes, I do mind." Prodding Pansy with his foot he continued, "Pansy, you can stop now."
The blonde girl sniffed indignantly and disentangled herself from Hermione's arms, "Finally…"
Draco rolled his eyes and swept wayward hairs from his delicate brow.
"Granger, as you can see, we've come to talk…to you."
Hermione raised one eyebrow and tapped her foot impatiently, "Obviously."
Ignoring her comment, Draco continued, "You've taken an interest in Blaise. Don't."
Nodding resolutely he turned and walked away, but Millie, feeling their meeting lacked something, finished for him, "Or else."
Pansy watched as Millie's back also disappeared from the room, and then whipped her head toward Hermione again.
"Did you really think a Slytherin could like a Gryffindor that way? How, ", she paused, blinking wildly, "…not smart of you."
Hermione smirked and breezed past her, "Yes, how not smart of me…"
Fuming, Pansy pulled Hermione back and whirled her around, "What do you mean by that mudblood?"
The brunette pried Pansy's hands off of her jumper and gazed at the shorter girl with mock pity.
"Darling," she clucked patronizingly, making Pansy grind her teeth irritably. "I haven't listened to you for six years now, why in the love of Merlin would I start now?"
And with a saucy wink quite unlike herself, Hermione said a quick "ta ta" to Pansy and strode out of the room leaving Pansy stunned in the empty classroom.
It was only later that Hermione realized she had blurt out that she was interested in Blaise "that way" to one of her bitter enemies... 'whoops' was the word that came to mind.
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