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"456 lbs. of guillyweed, m'lady. All I could find in the castle pantry."
"Arviragus! I didn't need the entire kingdom's supply!" Arviragus shrugged.
"They never keep it more than a few days, anyway. The harvesters are due back in a few hours, I think we'll manage." Hermione smiled and kissed his cheek.
"Thanks," she said, then turned to Draco. " You know, Snape isn't expecting us back for like an hour... but if we go up now he'll be all pissed off and suspicious again," she said, raising an eyebrow. Draco was a little irked about her kiss, but shrugged and smiled slightly.
"Whatever you want, Mya." Hermione thought for a moment, then turned back to Arviragus.
"I think I'm gonna go, Gus. Thanks for this," she said, holding up the sachet. "I'll come back when it's a little warmer." Arviragus smiled brightly and Hermione kissed his lips, taking a little longer to break away than either of the boys would have liked, then she grabbed Draco's hand. "Come on, Drakey," she said and swam upward, Draco following behind. A few feet up, she turned back down and waved to her friend, then continued upward, noticing Draco's grumbly persona, and smirking.
~*~*~*~
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: Insubordination Station
Hermione held Draco's hand as they rose through the water, she above, pulling him behind. Just over thirty feet from the surface, Draco stopped and pulled on her hand, sending her flying back into him. Hermione made a peep as she was startled, but Draco didn't even acknowledge it.
"What was that for?" she asked, semi-angrily, but mostly curious.
"What's with you and fishy lips down there?" he asked and Hermione had a hard time keeping in her smirk.
"Whatever do you mean?" she asked innocently, blinking. Draco scowled.
"You know exactly what I mean. How far have you gone with him?" Hermione looked a little surprised. She knew he'd ask... but she didn't expect him to be so blunt.
"Draco, sweetie, listen to me, okay?" she said gently, bringing a hand to his cheek like a mother coaxing her child, then her voice changed drastically. "Arviragus...is a fucking fish!" Draco smirked slightly. She shook her head. "Honestly, Draco... he doesn't even have... equipment. God..." she started back up, but Draco held strong.
"You didn't answer me. Come on, Mya... I really want to know." Hermione smirked.
"Farther than with you," she said and Draco winced slightly, but kept his composure.
"What does that mean?"
"He's seen me naked," she said smartly, as if proud. Draco looked not only surprised, but slightly angered as well. "Oh, come on... seriously. He asked, I showed him... no big deal. It'd be like showering in front of Eglamour. He's a totally different species, no one thinks twice."
"I'd think twice before stripping in front of a mermaid."
"Well that's you. They wouldn't find any stimulation in seeing your... bottom half. They don't even have sex. Now come on, I'm cold..." she said, sounding pleading as she spoke her last statement, then tugged on his hand. Draco held firm.
"Really?"
"Yes, really. I've never even seen them make out before. They kiss to show affection, but that's about it. They're kind of like seahorses combined with kangaroos. The mermaid has a special pouch in the front of her fin, and it fills with eggs twice a year, both in summer. When she and her mate decide they want a baby, he... does his thing... in the pouch. But, opposite of our species, there's only one little swimmer, and thousands of eggs. I've never actually SEEN this ritual, but I've read about it, and Arviragus, much to his embarrassment, validated it. Now that you know all about the reproductive cycle of the Merpeople... can we PLEASE go back to the surface?"
"One more question." Draco said, snapping out of his look of sheer fascination. "Why'd you kiss him?"
"To piss you off," she said and tugged hard. Grumbling and reluctant, Draco followed. She turned back to him after a second with a short laugh. "If it makes you feel any better, he probably hated it. I didn't really mind, but they're very touchy about humans. His mum would kill both of us if she knew how much we hang out."
"How much DO you hang out?" She smiled, remembering.
"I come down every weekend once it gets warmer; at night, of course. They have a wandless type of magic and it's light down there all the time... so I figure why waste daylight." She paused. "Okay, seriously, we're going up now... I can NOT stand to be down here any longer," she said and turned, swimming upward, still holding Draco's hand. Draco looked up as they rose, and found himself wishing she'd worn a skirt.
~*~*~*~
As they breached the surface, both took a large gulp of air. It was stuffy in those bubbles. Snape, not expecting them, let out a startled yelp.
"What are you doing?! Get back down there and finish your assignment!" Ignoring him, Hermione and Draco found less steep ground and began to wade to the shore. Snape met them at the water's edge. "Did you not hear me? I said get back down there!"
"W-We fin-nished the d-damn ass-signment, Snape." Hermione said, teeth chattering and body racking with shivers, and handed him the sachet. Noticing her extreme discomfort and the blue tint in her otherwise ruby lips, Draco wrapped his arms around her. Hermione turned and cuddled into him, glad for his warmth. "It hurts," she whispered and Draco kissed her forehead lightly.
"I know."
"What's this?" Snape asked stupidly and Draco rolled his eyes, hugging Hermione tighter.
"456 lbs. of guillyweed, much more than you expected, I'm sure. Now, if you don't mind professor, can we have our wands back?" Snape looked between them, showing no sympathy for their dilemma. He scowled and turned, walking off. Somewhat outraged, Draco followed, scooping up his dorm-mate and bringing her with him. Hermione made no reaction but to continue her attempt to crawl below his skin, searching for warmth. "Where the fuck do you think you're going?"
"I never thought I'd have to do this, Mr. Malfoy. Ten points from Slytherin." Draco scowled. He didn't give a crap about house points. All he wanted at that moment was his wand. If he had his wand, he could get Hermione warm again... and he was beginning to think he needed to do that as soon as possible. She just kept getting bluer... was that normal?
Snape knelt beside a large crate he had conjured while they were below water. He was obviously planning to make them fill it... and had they actually needed to harvest the weed themselves, it would have taken hours. He opened the sachet and dumped it over the crate, surprised to find that the contents not only filled the box, but left leftovers. He flicked his wand toward a rock, transfiguring it into another crate. Again, it was filled, but more weed still remained. After three more crates, he gave up. It seemed the supply never ended. With a scowl, Snape turned back to Draco, who'd wrapped Hermione in the jacket he'd shed before diving... or falling into the water, and was rocking her, trying to keep her as warm as possible as he waited for Snape to return his wand. The potions master approached him, and Draco looked up, glaring.
"I don't know what you did, Malfoy... but it couldn't have been accomplished without breaking one of the rules..."
"What rules? You said, go gather guillyweed. There were no damn rules, except that we couldn't use the wands you'd already confiscated. We did what you asked, now seriously, can I just have my wand, please?" he asked, trying to sound as respectful as possible, holding out his hand. Snape didn't flinch.
"No you may not, Mr. Malfoy, I'm not finished with you yet. And do not interrupt me."
"Snape, look at her! She's going to freeze to death if she doesn't get warmer soon!" he said, giving up, moving slightly away from Hermione to let Snape see her. Snape's eyes widened a little at the sight and Hermione whimpered at the loss of contact. Draco immediately brought her into him again. "Even you can't be this inhumane. Just give me my wand."
"I'll do it," he said, twisting his arm to let the wand slide from his sleeve, then pointing it toward Hermione.
"No! I'm going to do it; give me my damn wand!" Draco said forcefully, tightening his grip and holding out his hand. Snape narrowed his eyes.
"Either I do it, or it won't be done," he threatened and Draco slowly let his hand down. A particularly hard, full-bodied, shiver engulfed Hermione and she peeped in something like pain.
"Okay, okay, just hurry," Draco agreed, moving his arms slightly to give Snape more leeway. With a scowl, the potions master said the warming incantation. Hermione's shivers subsided, but she didn't seem otherwise better. She was still blue, and wasn't speaking. "Hermione?" No response. She'd either passed out or was sleeping. She certainly wasn't dead, that Draco knew for sure. He closed his eyes and let his nose brush hers for a moment, then brought his gaze back up to Snape. "Thank you, Sir. Am I allowed my wand now?"
"I told you once, Mr. Malfoy, I'm not finished with you yet." Draco sneered.
"Well I'm finished with you. You took away my wand, you made me jealous of a fish, and you froze my best friend into unconsciousness. I have no business left with you," he said quickly and stood from the ground, carrying Hermione. Before Snape could react, Draco was jogging across the grounds toward the castle, trying not to jostle Hermione too badly and ignoring Snape's calls for him to return.
~*~*~*~
Draco managed to make it to the dorms without seeing anyone. When he burst into the room, however, two oblivious prefects practically screamed. Again, Morag jumped into his girlfriend's lap.
"Oh good," Draco said, "People who will listen to me. Brocklehurst, I need your help." Mandy pushed a shaking Morag off her lap and looked curiously up and Draco.
"Why me, Malfoy? And what happened to Granger?"
"Because I don't trust that to do anything right in my presence," he said, nodding to Morag, who was curled on the floor. "And that's what I need help with. Just dry her off... please."
"Why can't you do it?"
"I just can't, come on, seriously." Mandy looked curious.
"Not until you tell me why." Draco groaned.
"I don't have time for this! Thanks for shit, Brocklehurst," he growled and started up the stairs, holding Hermione tight to him and mumbling obscenities. She was starting to shake again; the contrast between her damp robes and the warm air chilling her more deeply than the cold had in the first place.
When she heard the door to what she assumed was Draco's room slam closed, Mandy flinched. After about ten seconds of deliberation, she sighed and stood.
"Where the fuck are you going?" Morag asked, getting up from the floor. Mandy looked dispassionately at him.
"I'm going to help him, where do you think I'm going?"
"Are you insane? You're planning to go on THEIR territory? That's like suicide!" Morag argued.
"Honestly, Pun'kin, how can you be so inconsiderate? He looked really worried... Granger must be hurt," she said and smiled slightly when Morag flinched at the nickname. Mandy picked up her wand and started toward Draco and Hermione's staircase.
"But Mandy!" Morag moaned after her, but she didn't pay him mind. Nearly running up the stairs, Mandy was on a mission.
~
There was a knock at the door. Draco had laid Hermione in bed and was racking his brain about what to do. He needed to get her warm, that was for sure... and that meant dry clothes. There's where the problem arose. Even if it was in her best interest, he didn't feel right about undressing her... damn Snape and his wand-stealing fetish. Draco quickly went to answer the call, not even realizing how incredibly strange it was to have someone knocking on his bedroom door. Behind the slab was, of course, Mandy Brocklehurst.
"What do you want, Brocklehurst? I'm a little busy freaking out, if you don't mind," he said and she frowned slightly.
"I came to help." Draco looked quite a bit surprised.
"I think I'm capable of going nutters by myself, but thanks anyway." She rolled her eyes and pointed over his shoulder.
"With Granger?"
"Oh," he said, but made no movement. Mandy felt a little awkward.
"Don't you want me to..." she said, pointing into his room and Draco snapped out of it, remembering why she was there in the first place. Without a word, he stepped to the side, letting Mandy enter. She quickly made her way to Hermione's side and cast both another warming spell and a drying one. Not wanting to touch Slytherin sheets, she used her wand to cover the sleeping girl, then turned to face the still surprised Slytherin. "So, what happened?" Draco let out his breath, dropping his shoulders. He walked past her to Hermione's side and sat down, reaching a hand to lightly brush through her hair. He scowled.
"Snape," Draco said, then paused a moment. "He made us go guillyweed harvesting."
"In September? No wonder she's so messed up," Mandy said, shaking her head. Draco nodded.
"Then the bastard wouldn't give me my wand back. He was right there... he knew what was happening... and all he did was cast a lucecalda charm." Mandy scowled and shook her head.
" I knew Snape was low... but damn." Draco smiled. "Why didn't you take her to the hospital wing?"
"Because if she woke up there, she'd put me in the bed beside her." Mandy laughed softly. "Thanks Brocklehurst; I owe you one." Mandy smiled and shrugged. She paused a moment, just watching Draco look lovingly at Hermione and run his fingers over her hair, then he looked a little scared. "Do you think she needs to go?" he asked, looking worriedly at the Ravenclaw prefect. Mandy's face dropped.
"Uh, well... I'm no medi-witch, but I suggest you get her some warmer clothes and lots of blankets... other than that, it'd probably be best to just let her sleep through the night... and make sure she eats something warm for breakfast," she said, moving toward the doorway. "And maybe do something with yourself; you don't look so good either." Draco looked up at her with a smile and gave a nod.
"Will do. Thanks."
"Yep," she whispered, then crossed the mini-common room and descended the stairs again, ready for her boyfriend's inquisition. It somehow managed to turn into some crackpot reason for sex.
"Mandy!" Morag yelled as he saw her coming back down. He practically flew to her, catching her in a tight embrace. "Oh, are you okay? What happened? Did they hurt you?" She laughed.
"Of course not. Granger was in no condition to cause harm to a dung beetle, much less me, and Malfoy seemed too worried about her to think of anything else." Morag sighed, then his lips curled into a smirk.
"Maybe we should go downstairs and..." he raised his eyebrows three times. "Make sure you're okay." Mandy rolled her eyes.
"God Morag, you're such a pig. You have more mood-swings than I do," she said, turning toward their staircase. Absently, Morag looked thoughtful.
"Did you know pigs have thirty minute orgasms?" Mandy flinched.
"Actually, I did. But thank you for reminding me of that ever-useful bit of information." Morag shrugged and followed her downstairs.
~
As Mandy suggested, Draco gave Hermione more clothes. He agreed that the skimpy tank top and shorts she was wearing were too light, but he didn't feel right about going in her room and looking through her stuff. In the end, Draco decided to let her borrow some of his. Being ever so careful, he slipped a heavy Slytherin sweatshirt over her head and pulled on a pair of his flannel pajama pants over her other clothes, then recovered her with the sheets, grabbing all the extra blankets from the closet and covering her with them as well.
Once she was settled and sleeping peacefully, a little color in her cheeks, Draco concentrated on getting himself warmer. He hadn't even changed his clothes yet, and he'd been too worried about her to notice his chattering teeth. After a nice hot shower and a change of clothes, Draco joined Hermione in bed. It was amazing how cold her skin still was. He held her close and kissed her lightly, falling to sleep with hopes that she'd be okay in the morning. If Brocklehurst was wrong and she really was sicker than she looked, he'd blame himself. He was her friend, he was supposed to save her... be her knight in shining armor... not a kidnapper who feeds her lead pellets sprinkled with asbestos.
~*~*~*~
When Draco woke, he didn't dare move. His arms were still draped around Hermione, and she still slept soundly, lips parted slightly in her breathing. He wanted her to wake up, but he didn't want to wake her. Instead, Draco kissed her softly and resettled in, ready to wait as long as needed for her to rise. He'd be there for her when she did. It was Saturday... and the train didn't leave until mid-afternoon... she had almost all day.
~
Hermione felt lips below her ear for what she counted as the twenty-fifth time in the last ten minutes. She knew whose they were, and it didn't bother her one bit. As she felt a twenty-sixth kiss, Hermione smiled and fluttered her eyes open. She heard the lips draw a sharp breath.
"Hey," she said softly, turning her head a tiny bit. Draco smiled at her.
"Hey. How you feeling?" She laughed and turned in his embrace, lying on her back.
"Like I'm having hot flashes; what's with all the blankets? And what happened last night... I don't remember anything after... ow..." she said, bringing a hand to her temple, finally noticing her splitting headache. Draco smiled and kissed her lips softly.
"I'll take that as a better. Snape practically froze you to death last night, Mya. You passed out not long after we got out of the lake and he wouldn't give me my wand, so I couldn't help you. Damn you fragile women; can't even take a little cold."
"Well I'm sorry if I don't have all your muscle mass, Malfoy. I'm sure I'd be MUCH more attractive if I did," she said sarcastically, poking at him with an index finger. Draco winced a bit.
"Uh, those steroid women creep me out." Hermione laughed.
"Okay, so we got out of the lake, I pass out, Snape refuses to give you our wands... then what? How did I get dry, up here, and... what am I wearing?" she asked suspiciously and Draco smiled.
"Well aren't we just little-miss twenty questions this morning?" She shrugged and looked urgently at him. "I brought you up here, and Brocklehurst dried you off, then I gave you some of my clothes. I had to get you warm Mya, you were practically dead to the touch." She made innocent eyes.
"Were you worried?" Draco paused for a moment.
"Yes. And I'm not ashamed of it." Hermione looked surprised. That definitely wasn't the answer she was expecting. She leaned up for a kiss, which he returned, then relaxed back down.
"So why did Brocklehurst help me?" she asked suspiciously and Draco shook his shoulders.
"Evidently, she's a good person. Who would've known?" Hermione smiled.
"Thank you," she said, closing her eyes and leaning her forehead against his chest.
"For what? I didn't do anything."
"You brought me upstairs, let me defile your clothes, and most of all you cared about me. You're the best friend I've ever had." Draco laughed.
"What about Arviragus?" Hermione laughed.
"I think I like you better." Draco smiled. He couldn't think of anything he'd rather she'd have said.
~*~*~*~
After a couple more hours in bed, a shower, some last minute packing, and a bag drop off in the lobby, Draco and Hermione headed to the dungeons to retrieve their wands from Snape. It was about eleven o'clock, and they needed to leave for Hogsmeade station shortly.
Draco knocked on the potion's room door.
"Come in," said a booming voice. Draco and Hermione looked to each other, then he took her hand and they entered, together. Snape was sitting at his desk, grading papers it seemed. As they approached, Hermione noticed a strange glowing necklace around his neck, a big red oval that pulsed a neon light. "Ah, I expected you, prefects. Miss Granger, I would like to apologize for my behavior last night. I was sure you must have cheated and wasn't thinking clearly. Here are your wands," he said and handed them each to their respective shocked student. Did Snape just... apologize? Then, a faint voice whispered,
"Very good, Severus." And the necklace stopped glowing. Draco looked suspicious.
"Dumbledore put you up to that, didn't he?" Snape looked guilty for a moment, then glared.
"That is none of your concern, Mr. Malfoy. Now I suggest you leave; your train will be departing in just over an hour."
"Thank you, Professor," Hermione said, slipping the wand into her large jean pocket, and Draco squeezed her hand as he led her from the room.
"How did Dumbledore even know?"
"Brocklehurst, I'm assuming. Are Ravenclaw supposed to be tattletales?"
"Nothing in Hogwarts: A History that I recall... but I haven't read it in over a year. They could have updated it," she said with a smirk. Draco smiled and led her to the lobby. Dumbledore was just sending their bags along ahead, and as the prefects arrived, their luggage disappeared.
"Hello Professor," Draco said in respective greeting and Dumbledore gave them a small smile.
"I'm sorry about this, children. I love a good prank as much as the next old geezer, but you really did go a bit far with this one. It was understandable of Minerva and Severus to be upset." Hermione nodded.
"We weighed the consequences before acting upon our creativity, Professor. We know what we did," she said and Draco smiled at her. Dumbledore nodded.
"Well, you best be off. I'll let you walk alone, as I have some business to attend to. Try not to get into trouble, alright? I trust you can make it to the station within an hour, as the walk for me takes only about half, and these old bones aren't what they used to be." He chucked softly. "Go on now." With small smiles, Draco and Hermione exited the hall and headed down the path to Hogsmeade.
"Are you cold?" Draco asked after about ten minutes and Hermione laughed.
"No," she said and sniffled. "But I think I might have one."
"Don't even have strong antibodies, do you Granger?"
"How dare you? My antibodies would whip your bony little pureblooded ass," she said, fishing a hanky from the same small backpack she'd taken on the train when they'd first met. Draco smiled down at her.
"You're messed in the head Mya."
"Maybe so Drakey, but you're messed everywhere else."
"That made absolutely no sense."
"Yes it did, it was just... over you head," Hermione said, grinning and Draco pushed her. Not hard enough to fall, but hard enough to stumble. "You're still such an asshole, she said, interlacing her arm in his and laying a head on his shoulder.
"Damn straight." Suddenly, Draco stopped walking. Hermione looked up at him with a curious smile.
"What?"
"When did you get so happy? What happened to the depressed little dark princess I met on the train?" Hermione smiled and looked down at the ground.
"I think she found that guillotine."
A/N: They're a going to Malfoy Manor next chapter! I hope everyone's as excited as I am, mwa hahaha.... lol. Anyway... I hope this wasn't TOO boring. I had to stick in some sort of twist... or something. Yeah.
Last time on LGG:
"456 lbs. of guillyweed, m'lady. All I could find in the castle pantry."
"Arviragus! I didn't need the entire kingdom's supply!" Arviragus shrugged.
"They never keep it more than a few days, anyway. The harvesters are due back in a few hours, I think we'll manage." Hermione smiled and kissed his cheek.
"Thanks," she said, then turned to Draco. " You know, Snape isn't expecting us back for like an hour... but if we go up now he'll be all pissed off and suspicious again," she said, raising an eyebrow. Draco was a little irked about her kiss, but shrugged and smiled slightly.
"Whatever you want, Mya." Hermione thought for a moment, then turned back to Arviragus.
"I think I'm gonna go, Gus. Thanks for this," she said, holding up the sachet. "I'll come back when it's a little warmer." Arviragus smiled brightly and Hermione kissed his lips, taking a little longer to break away than either of the boys would have liked, then she grabbed Draco's hand. "Come on, Drakey," she said and swam upward, Draco following behind. A few feet up, she turned back down and waved to her friend, then continued upward, noticing Draco's grumbly persona, and smirking.
~*~*~*~
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: Insubordination Station
Hermione held Draco's hand as they rose through the water, she above, pulling him behind. Just over thirty feet from the surface, Draco stopped and pulled on her hand, sending her flying back into him. Hermione made a peep as she was startled, but Draco didn't even acknowledge it.
"What was that for?" she asked, semi-angrily, but mostly curious.
"What's with you and fishy lips down there?" he asked and Hermione had a hard time keeping in her smirk.
"Whatever do you mean?" she asked innocently, blinking. Draco scowled.
"You know exactly what I mean. How far have you gone with him?" Hermione looked a little surprised. She knew he'd ask... but she didn't expect him to be so blunt.
"Draco, sweetie, listen to me, okay?" she said gently, bringing a hand to his cheek like a mother coaxing her child, then her voice changed drastically. "Arviragus...is a fucking fish!" Draco smirked slightly. She shook her head. "Honestly, Draco... he doesn't even have... equipment. God..." she started back up, but Draco held strong.
"You didn't answer me. Come on, Mya... I really want to know." Hermione smirked.
"Farther than with you," she said and Draco winced slightly, but kept his composure.
"What does that mean?"
"He's seen me naked," she said smartly, as if proud. Draco looked not only surprised, but slightly angered as well. "Oh, come on... seriously. He asked, I showed him... no big deal. It'd be like showering in front of Eglamour. He's a totally different species, no one thinks twice."
"I'd think twice before stripping in front of a mermaid."
"Well that's you. They wouldn't find any stimulation in seeing your... bottom half. They don't even have sex. Now come on, I'm cold..." she said, sounding pleading as she spoke her last statement, then tugged on his hand. Draco held firm.
"Really?"
"Yes, really. I've never even seen them make out before. They kiss to show affection, but that's about it. They're kind of like seahorses combined with kangaroos. The mermaid has a special pouch in the front of her fin, and it fills with eggs twice a year, both in summer. When she and her mate decide they want a baby, he... does his thing... in the pouch. But, opposite of our species, there's only one little swimmer, and thousands of eggs. I've never actually SEEN this ritual, but I've read about it, and Arviragus, much to his embarrassment, validated it. Now that you know all about the reproductive cycle of the Merpeople... can we PLEASE go back to the surface?"
"One more question." Draco said, snapping out of his look of sheer fascination. "Why'd you kiss him?"
"To piss you off," she said and tugged hard. Grumbling and reluctant, Draco followed. She turned back to him after a second with a short laugh. "If it makes you feel any better, he probably hated it. I didn't really mind, but they're very touchy about humans. His mum would kill both of us if she knew how much we hang out."
"How much DO you hang out?" She smiled, remembering.
"I come down every weekend once it gets warmer; at night, of course. They have a wandless type of magic and it's light down there all the time... so I figure why waste daylight." She paused. "Okay, seriously, we're going up now... I can NOT stand to be down here any longer," she said and turned, swimming upward, still holding Draco's hand. Draco looked up as they rose, and found himself wishing she'd worn a skirt.
~*~*~*~
As they breached the surface, both took a large gulp of air. It was stuffy in those bubbles. Snape, not expecting them, let out a startled yelp.
"What are you doing?! Get back down there and finish your assignment!" Ignoring him, Hermione and Draco found less steep ground and began to wade to the shore. Snape met them at the water's edge. "Did you not hear me? I said get back down there!"
"W-We fin-nished the d-damn ass-signment, Snape." Hermione said, teeth chattering and body racking with shivers, and handed him the sachet. Noticing her extreme discomfort and the blue tint in her otherwise ruby lips, Draco wrapped his arms around her. Hermione turned and cuddled into him, glad for his warmth. "It hurts," she whispered and Draco kissed her forehead lightly.
"I know."
"What's this?" Snape asked stupidly and Draco rolled his eyes, hugging Hermione tighter.
"456 lbs. of guillyweed, much more than you expected, I'm sure. Now, if you don't mind professor, can we have our wands back?" Snape looked between them, showing no sympathy for their dilemma. He scowled and turned, walking off. Somewhat outraged, Draco followed, scooping up his dorm-mate and bringing her with him. Hermione made no reaction but to continue her attempt to crawl below his skin, searching for warmth. "Where the fuck do you think you're going?"
"I never thought I'd have to do this, Mr. Malfoy. Ten points from Slytherin." Draco scowled. He didn't give a crap about house points. All he wanted at that moment was his wand. If he had his wand, he could get Hermione warm again... and he was beginning to think he needed to do that as soon as possible. She just kept getting bluer... was that normal?
Snape knelt beside a large crate he had conjured while they were below water. He was obviously planning to make them fill it... and had they actually needed to harvest the weed themselves, it would have taken hours. He opened the sachet and dumped it over the crate, surprised to find that the contents not only filled the box, but left leftovers. He flicked his wand toward a rock, transfiguring it into another crate. Again, it was filled, but more weed still remained. After three more crates, he gave up. It seemed the supply never ended. With a scowl, Snape turned back to Draco, who'd wrapped Hermione in the jacket he'd shed before diving... or falling into the water, and was rocking her, trying to keep her as warm as possible as he waited for Snape to return his wand. The potions master approached him, and Draco looked up, glaring.
"I don't know what you did, Malfoy... but it couldn't have been accomplished without breaking one of the rules..."
"What rules? You said, go gather guillyweed. There were no damn rules, except that we couldn't use the wands you'd already confiscated. We did what you asked, now seriously, can I just have my wand, please?" he asked, trying to sound as respectful as possible, holding out his hand. Snape didn't flinch.
"No you may not, Mr. Malfoy, I'm not finished with you yet. And do not interrupt me."
"Snape, look at her! She's going to freeze to death if she doesn't get warmer soon!" he said, giving up, moving slightly away from Hermione to let Snape see her. Snape's eyes widened a little at the sight and Hermione whimpered at the loss of contact. Draco immediately brought her into him again. "Even you can't be this inhumane. Just give me my wand."
"I'll do it," he said, twisting his arm to let the wand slide from his sleeve, then pointing it toward Hermione.
"No! I'm going to do it; give me my damn wand!" Draco said forcefully, tightening his grip and holding out his hand. Snape narrowed his eyes.
"Either I do it, or it won't be done," he threatened and Draco slowly let his hand down. A particularly hard, full-bodied, shiver engulfed Hermione and she peeped in something like pain.
"Okay, okay, just hurry," Draco agreed, moving his arms slightly to give Snape more leeway. With a scowl, the potions master said the warming incantation. Hermione's shivers subsided, but she didn't seem otherwise better. She was still blue, and wasn't speaking. "Hermione?" No response. She'd either passed out or was sleeping. She certainly wasn't dead, that Draco knew for sure. He closed his eyes and let his nose brush hers for a moment, then brought his gaze back up to Snape. "Thank you, Sir. Am I allowed my wand now?"
"I told you once, Mr. Malfoy, I'm not finished with you yet." Draco sneered.
"Well I'm finished with you. You took away my wand, you made me jealous of a fish, and you froze my best friend into unconsciousness. I have no business left with you," he said quickly and stood from the ground, carrying Hermione. Before Snape could react, Draco was jogging across the grounds toward the castle, trying not to jostle Hermione too badly and ignoring Snape's calls for him to return.
~*~*~*~
Draco managed to make it to the dorms without seeing anyone. When he burst into the room, however, two oblivious prefects practically screamed. Again, Morag jumped into his girlfriend's lap.
"Oh good," Draco said, "People who will listen to me. Brocklehurst, I need your help." Mandy pushed a shaking Morag off her lap and looked curiously up and Draco.
"Why me, Malfoy? And what happened to Granger?"
"Because I don't trust that to do anything right in my presence," he said, nodding to Morag, who was curled on the floor. "And that's what I need help with. Just dry her off... please."
"Why can't you do it?"
"I just can't, come on, seriously." Mandy looked curious.
"Not until you tell me why." Draco groaned.
"I don't have time for this! Thanks for shit, Brocklehurst," he growled and started up the stairs, holding Hermione tight to him and mumbling obscenities. She was starting to shake again; the contrast between her damp robes and the warm air chilling her more deeply than the cold had in the first place.
When she heard the door to what she assumed was Draco's room slam closed, Mandy flinched. After about ten seconds of deliberation, she sighed and stood.
"Where the fuck are you going?" Morag asked, getting up from the floor. Mandy looked dispassionately at him.
"I'm going to help him, where do you think I'm going?"
"Are you insane? You're planning to go on THEIR territory? That's like suicide!" Morag argued.
"Honestly, Pun'kin, how can you be so inconsiderate? He looked really worried... Granger must be hurt," she said and smiled slightly when Morag flinched at the nickname. Mandy picked up her wand and started toward Draco and Hermione's staircase.
"But Mandy!" Morag moaned after her, but she didn't pay him mind. Nearly running up the stairs, Mandy was on a mission.
~
There was a knock at the door. Draco had laid Hermione in bed and was racking his brain about what to do. He needed to get her warm, that was for sure... and that meant dry clothes. There's where the problem arose. Even if it was in her best interest, he didn't feel right about undressing her... damn Snape and his wand-stealing fetish. Draco quickly went to answer the call, not even realizing how incredibly strange it was to have someone knocking on his bedroom door. Behind the slab was, of course, Mandy Brocklehurst.
"What do you want, Brocklehurst? I'm a little busy freaking out, if you don't mind," he said and she frowned slightly.
"I came to help." Draco looked quite a bit surprised.
"I think I'm capable of going nutters by myself, but thanks anyway." She rolled her eyes and pointed over his shoulder.
"With Granger?"
"Oh," he said, but made no movement. Mandy felt a little awkward.
"Don't you want me to..." she said, pointing into his room and Draco snapped out of it, remembering why she was there in the first place. Without a word, he stepped to the side, letting Mandy enter. She quickly made her way to Hermione's side and cast both another warming spell and a drying one. Not wanting to touch Slytherin sheets, she used her wand to cover the sleeping girl, then turned to face the still surprised Slytherin. "So, what happened?" Draco let out his breath, dropping his shoulders. He walked past her to Hermione's side and sat down, reaching a hand to lightly brush through her hair. He scowled.
"Snape," Draco said, then paused a moment. "He made us go guillyweed harvesting."
"In September? No wonder she's so messed up," Mandy said, shaking her head. Draco nodded.
"Then the bastard wouldn't give me my wand back. He was right there... he knew what was happening... and all he did was cast a lucecalda charm." Mandy scowled and shook her head.
" I knew Snape was low... but damn." Draco smiled. "Why didn't you take her to the hospital wing?"
"Because if she woke up there, she'd put me in the bed beside her." Mandy laughed softly. "Thanks Brocklehurst; I owe you one." Mandy smiled and shrugged. She paused a moment, just watching Draco look lovingly at Hermione and run his fingers over her hair, then he looked a little scared. "Do you think she needs to go?" he asked, looking worriedly at the Ravenclaw prefect. Mandy's face dropped.
"Uh, well... I'm no medi-witch, but I suggest you get her some warmer clothes and lots of blankets... other than that, it'd probably be best to just let her sleep through the night... and make sure she eats something warm for breakfast," she said, moving toward the doorway. "And maybe do something with yourself; you don't look so good either." Draco looked up at her with a smile and gave a nod.
"Will do. Thanks."
"Yep," she whispered, then crossed the mini-common room and descended the stairs again, ready for her boyfriend's inquisition. It somehow managed to turn into some crackpot reason for sex.
"Mandy!" Morag yelled as he saw her coming back down. He practically flew to her, catching her in a tight embrace. "Oh, are you okay? What happened? Did they hurt you?" She laughed.
"Of course not. Granger was in no condition to cause harm to a dung beetle, much less me, and Malfoy seemed too worried about her to think of anything else." Morag sighed, then his lips curled into a smirk.
"Maybe we should go downstairs and..." he raised his eyebrows three times. "Make sure you're okay." Mandy rolled her eyes.
"God Morag, you're such a pig. You have more mood-swings than I do," she said, turning toward their staircase. Absently, Morag looked thoughtful.
"Did you know pigs have thirty minute orgasms?" Mandy flinched.
"Actually, I did. But thank you for reminding me of that ever-useful bit of information." Morag shrugged and followed her downstairs.
~
As Mandy suggested, Draco gave Hermione more clothes. He agreed that the skimpy tank top and shorts she was wearing were too light, but he didn't feel right about going in her room and looking through her stuff. In the end, Draco decided to let her borrow some of his. Being ever so careful, he slipped a heavy Slytherin sweatshirt over her head and pulled on a pair of his flannel pajama pants over her other clothes, then recovered her with the sheets, grabbing all the extra blankets from the closet and covering her with them as well.
Once she was settled and sleeping peacefully, a little color in her cheeks, Draco concentrated on getting himself warmer. He hadn't even changed his clothes yet, and he'd been too worried about her to notice his chattering teeth. After a nice hot shower and a change of clothes, Draco joined Hermione in bed. It was amazing how cold her skin still was. He held her close and kissed her lightly, falling to sleep with hopes that she'd be okay in the morning. If Brocklehurst was wrong and she really was sicker than she looked, he'd blame himself. He was her friend, he was supposed to save her... be her knight in shining armor... not a kidnapper who feeds her lead pellets sprinkled with asbestos.
~*~*~*~
When Draco woke, he didn't dare move. His arms were still draped around Hermione, and she still slept soundly, lips parted slightly in her breathing. He wanted her to wake up, but he didn't want to wake her. Instead, Draco kissed her softly and resettled in, ready to wait as long as needed for her to rise. He'd be there for her when she did. It was Saturday... and the train didn't leave until mid-afternoon... she had almost all day.
~
Hermione felt lips below her ear for what she counted as the twenty-fifth time in the last ten minutes. She knew whose they were, and it didn't bother her one bit. As she felt a twenty-sixth kiss, Hermione smiled and fluttered her eyes open. She heard the lips draw a sharp breath.
"Hey," she said softly, turning her head a tiny bit. Draco smiled at her.
"Hey. How you feeling?" She laughed and turned in his embrace, lying on her back.
"Like I'm having hot flashes; what's with all the blankets? And what happened last night... I don't remember anything after... ow..." she said, bringing a hand to her temple, finally noticing her splitting headache. Draco smiled and kissed her lips softly.
"I'll take that as a better. Snape practically froze you to death last night, Mya. You passed out not long after we got out of the lake and he wouldn't give me my wand, so I couldn't help you. Damn you fragile women; can't even take a little cold."
"Well I'm sorry if I don't have all your muscle mass, Malfoy. I'm sure I'd be MUCH more attractive if I did," she said sarcastically, poking at him with an index finger. Draco winced a bit.
"Uh, those steroid women creep me out." Hermione laughed.
"Okay, so we got out of the lake, I pass out, Snape refuses to give you our wands... then what? How did I get dry, up here, and... what am I wearing?" she asked suspiciously and Draco smiled.
"Well aren't we just little-miss twenty questions this morning?" She shrugged and looked urgently at him. "I brought you up here, and Brocklehurst dried you off, then I gave you some of my clothes. I had to get you warm Mya, you were practically dead to the touch." She made innocent eyes.
"Were you worried?" Draco paused for a moment.
"Yes. And I'm not ashamed of it." Hermione looked surprised. That definitely wasn't the answer she was expecting. She leaned up for a kiss, which he returned, then relaxed back down.
"So why did Brocklehurst help me?" she asked suspiciously and Draco shook his shoulders.
"Evidently, she's a good person. Who would've known?" Hermione smiled.
"Thank you," she said, closing her eyes and leaning her forehead against his chest.
"For what? I didn't do anything."
"You brought me upstairs, let me defile your clothes, and most of all you cared about me. You're the best friend I've ever had." Draco laughed.
"What about Arviragus?" Hermione laughed.
"I think I like you better." Draco smiled. He couldn't think of anything he'd rather she'd have said.
~*~*~*~
After a couple more hours in bed, a shower, some last minute packing, and a bag drop off in the lobby, Draco and Hermione headed to the dungeons to retrieve their wands from Snape. It was about eleven o'clock, and they needed to leave for Hogsmeade station shortly.
Draco knocked on the potion's room door.
"Come in," said a booming voice. Draco and Hermione looked to each other, then he took her hand and they entered, together. Snape was sitting at his desk, grading papers it seemed. As they approached, Hermione noticed a strange glowing necklace around his neck, a big red oval that pulsed a neon light. "Ah, I expected you, prefects. Miss Granger, I would like to apologize for my behavior last night. I was sure you must have cheated and wasn't thinking clearly. Here are your wands," he said and handed them each to their respective shocked student. Did Snape just... apologize? Then, a faint voice whispered,
"Very good, Severus." And the necklace stopped glowing. Draco looked suspicious.
"Dumbledore put you up to that, didn't he?" Snape looked guilty for a moment, then glared.
"That is none of your concern, Mr. Malfoy. Now I suggest you leave; your train will be departing in just over an hour."
"Thank you, Professor," Hermione said, slipping the wand into her large jean pocket, and Draco squeezed her hand as he led her from the room.
"How did Dumbledore even know?"
"Brocklehurst, I'm assuming. Are Ravenclaw supposed to be tattletales?"
"Nothing in Hogwarts: A History that I recall... but I haven't read it in over a year. They could have updated it," she said with a smirk. Draco smiled and led her to the lobby. Dumbledore was just sending their bags along ahead, and as the prefects arrived, their luggage disappeared.
"Hello Professor," Draco said in respective greeting and Dumbledore gave them a small smile.
"I'm sorry about this, children. I love a good prank as much as the next old geezer, but you really did go a bit far with this one. It was understandable of Minerva and Severus to be upset." Hermione nodded.
"We weighed the consequences before acting upon our creativity, Professor. We know what we did," she said and Draco smiled at her. Dumbledore nodded.
"Well, you best be off. I'll let you walk alone, as I have some business to attend to. Try not to get into trouble, alright? I trust you can make it to the station within an hour, as the walk for me takes only about half, and these old bones aren't what they used to be." He chucked softly. "Go on now." With small smiles, Draco and Hermione exited the hall and headed down the path to Hogsmeade.
"Are you cold?" Draco asked after about ten minutes and Hermione laughed.
"No," she said and sniffled. "But I think I might have one."
"Don't even have strong antibodies, do you Granger?"
"How dare you? My antibodies would whip your bony little pureblooded ass," she said, fishing a hanky from the same small backpack she'd taken on the train when they'd first met. Draco smiled down at her.
"You're messed in the head Mya."
"Maybe so Drakey, but you're messed everywhere else."
"That made absolutely no sense."
"Yes it did, it was just... over you head," Hermione said, grinning and Draco pushed her. Not hard enough to fall, but hard enough to stumble. "You're still such an asshole, she said, interlacing her arm in his and laying a head on his shoulder.
"Damn straight." Suddenly, Draco stopped walking. Hermione looked up at him with a curious smile.
"What?"
"When did you get so happy? What happened to the depressed little dark princess I met on the train?" Hermione smiled and looked down at the ground.
"I think she found that guillotine."
A/N: They're a going to Malfoy Manor next chapter! I hope everyone's as excited as I am, mwa hahaha.... lol. Anyway... I hope this wasn't TOO boring. I had to stick in some sort of twist... or something. Yeah.