A/N: Ah, gone were the days when I could write 2000 words in a mere 30 minutes.... I miss those days... :D
So this is the conclusion to the MASSIVE three chapter introduction to Hermione's problem. Fourth chapter might begin with Draco, it might not:P ohoho... It's also where I introduce the headmaster himself, (no he's not dead yet, this is during the sixth book if you didn't notice) and McGonagall. A lot of long dialouge in this, but it's important- so read it. p.s I also loooveee metaphors. You might see one or two.
Lovveee~~~ Deeevy:D
It was cold the next morning. In fact, it was rather dreadful- no sun, very cool and it seemed like all the blue skies had disappeared into a large, grey cloud.
'Quite a fitting day for the day I'm to ask Snape to try to cure the malevolent lost soul that is Malfoy,' She thought to herself.
Harry caught up with her. Hermione turned around to smile at Harry. Harry kept a blank expression.
"Hermione, this isn't your best idea- in fact, I doubt it's in the top 100," Harry said matter-of-factly
"I know Harry. I know that Ron and you will be furious, and I know that this seems like a stupid idea, but what if I can change him?" Hermione asked, hope shimmering in her brown eyes.
"Hermione. There is no way that Malfoy- the slimiest and stupidest bloke there is- would actually accept the fact that you're trying to change him for the better. He'll only hurt you, Hermione. And- I don't want to be there when that happens, I'd rather avoid it altogether,"
Hermione's chest tightened.
"Harry, there's a book; a very rare book that I researched at the library. There's only one of it in existence and I believe it will help you on your conquest. I need to get that book for the three of us and this is the only way,"
"Are you sure Hermione?"
"Harry, it's as if Snape is taunting me with it- he knows I want it, he knows we need it, and he's giving us a chance to get it. I'm sorry, but being the only one able to, I really need to do this, Harry."
Harry put both hands on her shoulders.
"Alright. If this book will really help us, then by all means- but if he hurts you, you need to go to Ron or I, okay? No talking to Snape or talking back to Malfoy. I've met his family. They are truly the scum of the underworld and I'd really rather you not getting involved with them. So I know this sounds blasphemous- but you must keep him happy at all costs."
Hermione cringed at the idea. 'What makes him happy? Dipping small children into a vat of spiders and creepy things and watching them fend for themselves?'
"Hermione," Harry began, "Don't get into too much trouble, okay?"
Hermione smiled half-heartedly.
"Harry, don't be ridiculous. I would never get too far into the water without testing the temperature I assure you," she said.
"I'm glad," he said back. And with that, he gave a curt nod and walked off to class. Hermione hesitated for a minute. Then, she felt a lingering shadow over her back.
"Not yet going to class I see, Ms. Granger," a familiar voice asked from behind her.
Hermione wheeled around quickly to see professor McGonagall's kind, smiling, if even a little questioning face. She felt heat flush her cheeks, as she was not one to be late to class. The professor then sighed, and looked at Hermione without saying anything for a good long time.
"Professor Dumbledore would like a word with you, Ms. Granger,"
Hermione swallowed a large quantity of air as she mouthed, 'me?'
The professor nodded solemnly and escorted her to a large chamber. She set Hermione on the ground as it began to rise gradually into the air.
"I will notify your teachers miss. Granger. And don't be too long- He has other business to attend to."
Hermione cringed as she walked up a few steps as she was rising.
"Like escalators for a castle," she told herself quietly.
She reached the top and it stopped with a loud shifting noise. She stepped off it and watched it go back to being just a floor.
She then saw an average man with his back turned to her- obviously very old, with a long flowing white beard drifting a little off his chest in the wind. He was gazing out an open window. She knew it was Dumbledore, but her head was screaming, 'you've done nothing wrong! Just leave!'
"I think you'll see that there is a small bowl of jelly beans on my desk," he said, "Please help yourself."
Hermione smiled inwardly at his unconditional kindness and took a step towards his desk. But, being Hermione, she refused to let herself take one until she was comfortable with the conversation.
"Sir, what's happened? Why am I standing in your office right now?" She was clearly sincere and wondering, so Dumbledore came down the long spiral staircase and looked at her through half-moon spectacles.
"I hear you are about to ask Severus to treat Mr. Malfoy, is that correct?"
Hermione's cheeks tinted pink. She was utterly befuddled on how quickly the news had spread.
"Um, sir, I hadn't exactly set the idea in stone- mostly because-," She began, but felt at a loss for words on how to describe their "delicate situation"
"I understand your relationship with Mr. Malfoy is not what you would like it to be," He said, looking out under his eyebrows
"Sir! I do beg your pardon, but if there is an alternative to even looking at that lowlife then I would choose it. I do dislike him to a very high degree, I do not deny that fact, but there is nothing that needs to change. And there is no relationship!!"
Dumbledore smiled kindly and made Hermione shrug her shoulders sheepishly.
"I know it's not what you had imagined, Miss Granger. Mostly because of your difference in families- and I know his family is quite the intolerable one," He said inquisitively.
"I agree sir! His family has treated me so awfully over the years- and the name he calls me is just- just-,"
"Despicable," Dumbledore finished for her. She nodded brightly, though still maintaining a very serious disposition.
"I do understand your start with a mister Malfoy isn't the smoothest of paths. And I know why you're up to this task. Not to become friends with him, nor to win the respect of him; but to achieve a rare book- the only one in existence. I know you highly value books, Granger, but risking your sanity on a boy who has no intention of changing his ways might drag you through the mud and back again,"
Hermione looked like she was pondering again, but it was clear to Dumbledore she had already made up her mind.
"Sir, I know this is a stupid move on my part, and I have no intention to try and change him, just to get him to cooperate for a miniscule amount of time. I need that book. Harry, Ron and I need that book desperately and you know why."
Dumbledore looked at her with genuine concern all over his aged face and nodded swiftly.
"I only wanted to give a brief warning Granger. You must be prepared for whatever Malfoy throws at you, and do try not to get him so worked up his parents get involved. Because people like you here- and I think it would be an awful shame to have you sent to Azkaban for touching their, 'darling little Draco,'" And he finished smiling, obviously joking with her.
She felt her shoulders lighten and almost tried to ask with her eyes, 'if anything happens, will you help me out of it?'
He gave a brisk nod and she smiled, pleased.
"Thank you sir!" She said beaming, "Now if you excuse me, I have to go ruin a perfectly good month of my life!"
Dumbledore gave a short chuckle and Hermione went downstairs to have a chat with Snape.
A/N: Ajfsdfksjaaasssklkd&YEOINdgkjnwflknsdl
I like this chapter. I don't know why- I just do. :D. Oh and sorry it's taking so long to introduce my dracoo:3 but in due time. I do not deny blah blah blah Hermione you almost admitted yourself to calling him attractive not two chapters ago. Geez. So Review to your hearts content. IF YOU DON'T YOURE A HEARTLESS BABY-EATING-PUPPY-SNATCHING-CHOCOLATE-HATING FLEIMEN. I dont know what fleimen means. Or if it's real. I just like saying that. BUT REVIEW...
....please?
~Deeevy3
