Chapter II: Beginning.
"Minerva, are you sure with your decision? Mutual Bond has its disadvantages and you know that" Dumbledore said with slight hesitation. Sure, Draco and Hermione wasn't the first one to have this but with their indifferences and upbringing, it was just impossible to make this work.
"They can handle it, Albus. We'll just have to see the result. Don't worry" Professor McGonagall said. Her decision about this was final and she trusts the two Heads to conquer this.
Going back to Hermione…
She didn't plan to eavesdrop at their conversation and she definitely didn't want to listen but here she was, at the Great Hall, being utterly concerned. There was this feeling that crept onto her like it was to stay beside Malfoy and comfort him until he's untroubled but she brushed it away. Why would she do that after everything he's done? He's a git! Or that's Hermione's impression of him.
"'Mione, what's the problem?" Harry asked with a puzzled look as Hermione sat on her seat.
"This Mutual Bond is getting to me. I feel emotionally attached to Malfoy like he's someone really dear to me… Ugh! I hate this feeling" she said with an exasperated sigh.
"Do you know how to reverse it or something?" Ron asked.
"I've read something about this on The Punishment Curses Book but the only solution to this is Professor McGonagall. She's the one who put it on us and she's the only one who can undo the spell" she explained.
"That sucks" Ron said and continued chewing his lamb chops.
"Hermione, I told Sirius about the curse. And he has a message for you" Harry gave her a letter.
Hermione,
I know what you've been going through. That spell was casted onto me when I was in fifth grade with Prongs. It turned out positive in the end—look, we're best friends! Okay I know that didn't help so here's the thing just in case you haven't known yet.
First, you'll feel like he means everything to you that you must protect him. (Well that's how I felt way back. But I'm straight, you know) Second, there will be times when you'd want to hurt him whether it's physically or emotionally especially when you both feel the same thing which is being 'betrayed' so careful on that one. That's the disadvantage of the curse. It happened to us and we ended up having detention for weeks after beating the hell out of each other.
Whether you hate him, be nice to him. Okay? I don't think he's really that bad. Take good care of yourselves now.
Sirius
"We actually… read it. Ron and I. Hope you don't mind?" Harry said without confidence in his voice.
"It's alright." Hermione sighed. "This is a lot worse than what the books stated. They simply said that you'll feel each other's pain and not to the point that you two will beat each other when you both feel betrayed"
"If Malfoy dare lay a hand on you, 'Mione I swear to Merlin that I'll kill him" Ron said as he placed a protective hand on Hermione's.
"Thanks" Hermione almost whispered as she started blushing.
Draco finished his night patrols so he went back to the Heads Common Room. He'll have to write at St. Mungo's to know his mother's condition. After all, Narcissa is Draco's weakness—not that he's a mommy's boy but he cares for her even if he doesn't clearly show it. The next thing to worry about is who's the one behind this? Why did they attack his mother? Is it because she's a death eater's wife? Draco didn't notice that he was gripping the quill tightly.
Hermione went out of her room and saw Draco. She, once again, felt the need to comfort him and at the same time, became nervous again. Draco, who noticed the change of his mood, looked at Hermione.
"What are you staring at, Granger?" he snarled.
Hermione jumped. "I... I just thought you need someone?" she blurted out and hoped that Draco won't notice it.
"Why would I need—" Draco's eyes widened. "Granger, why are you nervous?" he asked with comprehension.
"You look… scary" Hermione tried to make up another excuse but failed.
"You heard?" he said disbelievingly as he went closer to her.
"I didn't mean to… You were feeling nervous and I…" Hermione stopped. She didn't know how to continue.
"Forget about it" he said and went to his room.
"This curse is controlling me!" Hermione said to herself and knocked on Draco's room.
"Malfoy, I know that you need help and—" she stopped when Draco opened his door.
"What can you do, Granger? You don't know anything. I don't need help from anyone… especially from a mudblood" he said with a pained expression and closed his door again.
"You're a jerk, Malfoy" Hermione said and went to her room feeling all tired from the pain he's feeling and her helplessness. This wasn't the Malfoy she knew. He's always overconfident and he loves teasing but now, he's vulnerable and she understands it.
The next day, they didn't have their usual teasing routine when first seeing each other but Hermione can feel that he's much better today.
"Everything's fine now?" she dared say with a small smile on her lips.
"What's it to you, Granger?" he went to her and leaned. "Don't get too attached just because of this curse or you might fall in love with me. You're not my type, you know" he grinned.
"Who says you're my type? If you're the last single man on Hogwarts, then I'd rather die single!" she said her face was flushing.
"We'll see about that" he smirked and went out.
"Ugh! The nerves!" Hermione said loudly so he could hear even though he's not there anymore.
She was relieved not to feel anything that's negative and that alone is enough.
Draco's POV
Last night
After saying those things to Granger, I felt guilty. She gave me this feeling like I'm regretting what I said to her. She's still a mudblood and I only stated a fact.
"Not that I need you to rub it in" said a small voice in my head.
Wait—what was that?
I waited for a few minutes but didn't hear anything anymore. I'm just imagining things. I'll just sleep.
The next day
A familiar owl made its way through my open window and delivered me a letter. I unfolded it and started reading.
Son
I'm alright now. Sorry to have you worried. Nothing bad happened to me, really. I just overdid a magic and that's why I collapsed. Nothing to worry about.
Narcissa
That letter was a relief. I swore that if any wizard touched my mother, I'll make his life miserable forever.
I went out and saw Ganger.
"Everything's fine now?" she said trying to be a bit distant and at the same time, trying to be a friend. Not that I want to be her friend anyway.
"What's it to you, Granger?" I said and leaned. "Don't get too attached just because of this curse or you might fall in love with me. You're not my type, you know" She jumped slightly and I feel like I'm in the mood to tease this bushy Gryffindor today.
"Who says you're my type? If you're the last single man on Hogwarts, then I'd rather die single!" she said. She was blushing and I perfectly know how to handle this.
"We'll see about that" Feeling her anger rising up, I smirked and went out.
"Ugh! The nerves!" I heard her say but I don't care. It just feels good to tease her.
End of POV
Hermione proceeded to their Charms Class with the Hufflepuff. When she spotted Harry and Ron, she made her way to them.
"Hey" she said as she sat between Harry and Ron.
"'Mione, someone was looking for you" Harry whispered because their professor arrived.
"What did they need?" she asked.
"Don't you want to know who it is?" Harry grinned and Hermione gently smacked his right arm playfully.
"Okay, who?"
"I don't know myself." Harry laughed. "But he's our classmate and a Hufflepuff."
"Thanks, Harry" Hermione said sarcastically. "What did he need by the way?"
"No idea. He patted me on the back and asked where 'Miss Hermione' is and walked away when I told him that you're not yet here" he explained but did not take the grin from his lips away.
"Looks like you have an admirer, 'Mione" Ron interrupted. He was also grinning.
"Sod off, Ronald" Hermione rolled her eyes.
Hermione was lost with many thoughts especially the admirer's thought. Not that she cares but who could that be and why was he looking for her? Hours passed but no one approached her from Hufflepuff. Did Harry made that up to trick her or was he telling the truth?
"It doesn't really matter anyway" she accidentally said.
"I knew it! You're thinking about the guy that Harry told you, right?" Ron continued to grin. Hermione felt a little bit taken aback by what he said but she can't blame him for not knowing her feelings toward him.
"No, Ron. I'm thinking about other things" she lied.
"Like whom this mysterious guy is?" Harry joked. "Oh look! He's there!" Harry pointed and when Hermione looked where he was referring to, she saw none. Disappointment crept into her mind.
"There's no one there, Harry. Quit teasing me" Hermione raised her eyebrow and folded her arms.
"But he's…" Harry trailed off.
"We're not teasing you. I saw him right there just awhile ago as well" Ron said but he didn't look serious so Hermione took it as a joke.
"Class Dismissed."
They parted ways for the next subject because it was Hermione's Arithmancy subject while Harry and Ron are off to Divination.
"See you then!" Hermione ran the other way; afraid that she might be late.
~o~
"Harry! Ron!" Hermione said as she met up with them along the stairs.
"Let's go to the Great Hall! I'm starving" Ron's stomach groaned but he looked like he has more energy left in his body to even eat.
"You're always starving, Ron" Harry and Hermione said at the same time that they both laughed.
A/N: Thank you for reading my story! I appreciate your reviews and I hope that you'll continue reading this. I promise to work harder. Next chapter will be about the Introduction of Muggle Studies. So stay tuned! Good day ;-) –Musume Sai