What Binds Us Chapter 2, a harry potter fanfic

Title: What Binds Us [Chapter ２/??]
Author: Rorania
Rating: R
Warnings: Language, sexual references
Word Count: 3,898
Summary: Starts after HBP. Draco's under protection of the Order, much to the Golden Trio's dismay.

This chap: McGonagall allows him back at school, though no one wants him there, except strangely enough, Blaise, the new Head Boy.

Chapter 二

二二二二二二二

Draco looked around. They had Flooed to his manor, to his mother's sitting room, where she'd received visitors. Tonks flooed in behind him. Draco left Lupin to help her up and headed up stairs for his room.

Entering, he saw it was just as he left it. Crossing the room, he opened the door to his closet. He froze when he looked down and saw something on the shaking ground. Draco frowned.

"Binny?"

A large nose poked out into the light. "Master Draco?" it called, tentatively.

"What are you doing in my closet?" Draco demanded.

Binny trembled. "Y-your mother said you would come back and to wait for you. Th-th-those terrible wizards came and so I hid. Forgive Binny, Master. I cleaned the mess they made of your house when they left in penance."

Draco shook his head tried to take it all in. "Come out of there, Binny."

The house-elf came out slowly, his hands quivering.

"Now what wizards we these?" Draco asked.

"The Master Lucius' friends, sir. They were looking for you. Your mother told them to leave you alone."

Draco sat down at his desk. "My mother."

"Yes, master. She was terribly upset. She said to wait for you should those men come to take her. So Binny stayed."

Draco dropped his head into his hands. Rubbing his face, he looked up.

"Thank you, Binny."

"Uh…" Binny looked confused. "Master? You have never thanked me before. And you need never, Binny was happy to do his Mistress' bidding."

Draco leaned back in the chair. Looking to his left, he spotted a photograph. It was his mother watching him flying on a broom for the first time. It was the only time he ever saw her smile so much, which was the reason it was the only picture in his room.

"Binny."

"Yes, Young Master?"

Draco grabbed the photograph. "Pack my clothes for school."

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Hermione knocked, once again playing Draco's nursemaid at Molly's behest. No answer. She knocked harder this time. Still no answer. Trying the knob, it opened easily. Pushing it opening, it revealed Draco sound asleep on his bed. Hermione leaned against the doorframe, stunned. She'd never seen him so vulnerable and…normal. Even when he was injured in the hospital wing, she hadn't really paid attention, but he was rolling around moaning like a spoiled baby. Here…

Hermione walked across the room and set his food tray on his side table. Cocking her head to the side she stared down at him. His face was relaxed, though still slightly aristocratic in the set of his face. He was sprawled on his stomach one arm hanging off the bed the other under his pillow. Here…he looked normal.

Turning to go, she gasped as he grabbed her leg. Looking down, she saw his eyes were open and he was looking at her.

"What are you doing in my room?"

Hermione worked her mouth, startled out of her wits at being caught, she couldn't think. Then he said, "Trying to find something to steal?"

Wrenching her leg away, she glared down at him. "We leave in the morning, eat your food." With that she stormed out, slamming the door shut behind her, albeit without touching it.

Draco sighed, letting his head flop back onto the pillow. Why didn't he feel more satisfied by tormenting her this time?

September 1st.

Draco dragged his trunk down the steps letting it thump loudly each time it hit a step. By the time he reached the bottom, everyone was staring at him. He stopped next to Granger who was looking up at him annoyed.

"What?"

She just sighed and rolled her eyes.

"Alright, everyone here finally?" said Moody. "Good. We have a portkey to head straight to the Platform. We are going early enough that we should be the first to board and secure three cars. Kingsley and I and Tonks and Remus will take the outside cars, Potter, you and your friends will take the center car. That includes you Malfoy."

Hermione glanced at Draco then, seeing him simply stare ahead in response.

They crowded around in a circle to touch the portkey. Draco glanced over to see Hermione squint her eyes as if bracing herself for pain next to him as she grabbed the portkey. He frowned at this. Then they were all spinning, jerked back behind the navel. Draco was prepared to land when something rammed into his stomach, hard. With a grunt, Draco landed on his back. A cloud of hair obstructed his vision, and tried to choke him as he sputtered.

The cloud of hair lifted off his chest, and left Draco staring up at the shocked face of Hermione Granger.

"Hermione!"

Suddenly, she was lifted off him entirely. Draco stared up at the angry faces of her friends. Rolling to his feet, Draco brushed himself off.

"Great, Granger. Now I have to burn my clothes."

"Good. Burn the rest of your Death Eater filth while you're at it," Ginny spoke up, facing him.

Draco turned his attention on her. If looks could kill, Ginny would be happy. Then, Hermione did something that shocked him entirely. Her angry glare never leaving his face, she quickly unzipped her dark blue hoody and shrugged it off, before throwing it at his feet.

"Here, then. Burn that too while your at it." Hermione stared him down a moment longer before turning with her trunk to take it to the baggage car. Potter, and the Weasels glared at him as well, before following suit.

"Come on, Malfoy runt." Moody clapped him on the back sending him forward and out of breath. "Nobody's gonna put that luggage away for you. Get a move on."

Steeling himself from making a bigger ass of himself, Draco ignored him and headed to the end of the train. As an afterthought, he turned and grabbed Hermione's hoody and stuffed it in his trunk.

On the train, he found the car Potter picked. He was met with hostile glares as he entered. Walking past them, he sat as close to the window as possible, before pulling out his book.

Soon, Hermione and Ginny had to leave on Head/Prefect business. From the corner of his eye, he saw Hermione remove a neatly folded Hogwarts robe from her knapsack and put it on over her short-sleeved tee and blue jeans. He looked away when he saw her give him a brief glaring glance.

A little while later…

"So it's true then."

Everyone looked up to see Pansy, surrounded by Crabbe, Goyle and several Slytherin girls.

"You're back and hanging out with scum," Pansy sneered. The Slytherin girls giggled, while Crabbe just glared at Draco. Goyle, however, looked sadly at Draco. "How dare you show your face in public," Pansy hissed. "You're a disgrace to Pureblood families. Only rejects like the Golden Trio of Gits would take you in. You might as well kill yourself, just like your mother—"

Draco stood and faced her, towering over her. "Shut up, you filthy Slytherin slut! My mother did not kill herself, and anyone who says otherwise will answer to me," Draco held Pansy with a murderous glare. He saw her bottom lip start to tremble which usually meant she was about to beg his forgiveness, when—

"And to me." Hermione pushed her way through the Slytherins and past Pansy, her wand out.

Pansy turned her glare on Hermione's Head Girl pin. "I see this school still hasn't risen its standards." Pansy looked back up to Draco. "I might just let mother transfer me to Beauxbatons, afterall." She added, nose in the air.

Hermione snorted. "That wouldn't be possible; they definitely have standards, unfortunately."

Pansy outraged, simply humphed and spun away, leading her entourage away.

Hermione turned. "Well, that was unpleasant."

"Well, for once they didn't come to attack me. That's a nice change," Harry muttered.

Draco turned to retake his seat. Hermione stopped him.

"Oh, yeah." She pulled a wand out of her robe and tossed it to him. He caught it and frowned in question. "Hex anyone, and we'll see how you take your NEWTs without it."

Pulling the black toque out of his robe, Draco pulled it on over his head as they headed for the horseless carriages. Hermione stood with a tall black kid, next to the carriages making sure everyone found a seat. Blaise. Draco noticed a Head Boy badge on his robe. He shouldn't have been surprised with Blaise's work ethic and all, but he was. Part of Draco was hoping for the Head Boy spot just to have the private quarters to himself.

Walking past him, Blaise stopped him.

"So you came back," said Blaise. "Didn't think you'd have the balls."

Hermione looked up between the two boys.

"Blaise, you're holding Mr. Malfoy up. You can talk at the feast."

Blaise gave Draco a small nod. Slightly surprised to see it held no hostility, Draco gave a small nod back before boarding the carriage. No one would board after seeing him get on so Hermione sighed and sent it on its way.

At the Great Feast, Draco took a seat closest the door at the Slytherin table. He wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible.

Looking around, he avoided the glares and noticed several new faces at the staff table, which was to be expected. Slughorn was still there, probably out of deference to Dumbledore. The man could still command respect even in death. As everybody settled into their seats Blaise walked in and took a seat next to Draco as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

The first years finally came in and were sorted. It was the smallest sorting group he'd ever seen and was thankful since it shortened the ceremony. McGonagall then got up and made a heart-wrenching speech about their first year without Dumbledore and to introduce their two new professors, to which Draco didn't pay any attention.

When they could finally talk, Draco looked over at Blaise.

Blaise returned the look with a lift of his eyebrows.

"Yes?" he said slowly.

Draco shrugged. "Everyone else thinks I have the plague. What makes you so special?"

Blaise shrugged too. "You defied 'You-Know-Who' and yet are alive for all to see. Bloody gutsy if you ask me."

Draco frowned. "So what?"

Blaise stopped and looked at him. "So before you've acted like a spoiled prat not worth the robes he boasts about. Now," Blaise continued putting food onto his plate. "It seems you have a little more going on up there, and it seems to me you could use an ally." Blaise nodded his head at the Gryffindor table then. "Plus, it's bad for Slytherin House's name to have you hanging with Gryffindors all the time."

Draco's gaze was immediately drawn to the Gryffindor table. He saw them eating quietly for the most part.

Looking back at Blaise, he said, "You don't have to worry about that. I'm just not sure how I'll survive this year in the dungeons."

"Maybe you won't have to." Blaise said cryptically.

Draco frowned. "What do you mean?"

Blaise smirked. "Ask McGonagall."

Draco did just that. After the feast he yelled at the stone gargoyle for a half hour trying to get in until McGonagall came down to see what all the racket was about. After that she invited him up to discuss his Hogwarts future standing.

To say the least, she was very, very disappointed in him and his actions last year. However, at the counsel of Dumbledore, she has decided to accept him back, considering he proves himself rehabilitated and apologetic. Draco shivered noticing the new portrait of Dumbledore that sat on the wall. Thankfully, it appeared the portrait was sleeping.

Also, because the Head Boy has vouched for him and will take responsibility of getting him back on track. Which means Draco has a choice between staying in the seventh year Slytherin boy dorm or sharing Blaise's suite for the year.

Draco chose the latter, of course. Then he was warned that any altercation and it would be immediate expulsion. Accepting this, Draco was allowed to leave to find his dorm. At the bottom of the spiral staircase, Blaise stood waiting.

He looked over and lifted his brows at Draco. "She rip you a new one?"

Draco grimaced. "I've never found that phrase's connotations pleasant to even hear. And yes, I'm to be expelled if any hair or toe or whatever is out of line." Draco gave Blaise a sideways glance as they walked. "And she says you volunteered to be my keeper."

Blaise laughed derisively. "Yes, well…I have to share a common room with Granger. Her sharing with both of us will drive her up the wall."

Draco returned a slow smile.

"It certainly will."

Hermione Granger was not happy. Not only was Malfoy in all of her classes and study halls, now he was sharing her common room, a prestigious honor reserved only for Heads. Except for not playing his nursemaid, it would be exactly like living at Grimmauld's last summer.

She's already talked to McGonagall about it and she'd said it was Blaise's idea to give up half his suite. Plus, Draco would probably have a hard time of it this year and it would be uncharitable as the Head Girl to throw him out, when he was not encroaching on her dorm space and bathroom facilities at all. Growling in frustration, Hermione left and stormed down to the Great Hall for breakfast. She'd already received her schedules and was told to hand them out as their new Head of House was still preparing for classes that morning. Huffing she practically threw the schedules in her house's faces before plopping down to her breakfast.

"What's in your bonnet?" Ron asked, giving her a strange look.

She glanced at him. "Blaise decided to have a year long slumber party with Draco, so now I have to see that git not only in all my classes but first thing in the morning as well."

An outrageous glance passed between Harry and Ron.

"You can't be serious?!"

"Blaise can do that?" Harry asked. "I thought he didn't even really like Malfoy that much."

"Well, that doesn't change the fact that their best mates now," Hermione said in an annoyed tone.

Across the room, Draco was watching Hermione rant to her friends as he sat next to Blaise.

"She's pissed."

Blaise looked where Draco was and nodded. "Better watch yourself mate. She'll be gunning to toss you out and she has all the authority over you."

Draco waved his hand. "Nah. They're Gryffindors, they're too noble to not tell their old Head of House the truth, and all I plan to do," Draco stood, wiggling his eyebrows at Blaise. "is rile her."

Blaise just shook his head and smiled as his friend took off to the Gryffindor table.

"Hey, roomie."

Hermione turned slowly to see Draco standing there, smiling.

"Don't. Call me that." She bit out.

"What do you want, Malfoy?" Harry asked, annoyed.

"Oh, just requesting the Head Girl's help in finding my first class, of course."

Hermione glanced at the end of the Slytherin table where she knew he sat, and saw Blaise wave with a happy sneer.

Glancing up at Draco, she said, "Blaise can help you. You guys seem so close now, it would be a shame for me to get in your way."

I have to finish my breakfast," Hermione turned her back to him.

"That's okay. I can wait." Hermione watched astonished as he slid a leg over the bench straddling it, to watch her eat.

"What are you doing?" Hermione asked stunned.

Draco glanced side to side. "…Sitting."

"Oi, who invited you, Malfoy!" Ron exclaimed.

"Save it, Weasel. I'm not bothering you."

"You're making me lose my appetite."

"That seems more like a miracle than a problem with how you eat."

"Hermione can't you get him outta here?"

Hermione looked at Ron bewildered. "What do you expect me to do?"

"I don't know. You're Head Girl aren't you? Send him away with detention or something." Ron suggested.

"Ron, I can't give out detention for sitting. It's not like a dictator position. I'm to set an example."

"Well, set an example for Slytherins who think they can sit in Gryffindor territory." Ron retorted.

Draco scrunched up his face. "Territory? Don't tell me you pissed all around the perimeter, Weaselbee."

Harry dropped his toast onto his plate. "Some people are trying to eat here you know."

Hermione stood abruptly, grabbing her bag. "Come on, you silly twat," she muttered, before taking off. She noticed Blaise smiling at her as she passed. She shook her head and ignored him.

Outside the Great Hall, Draco ran to catch up with her. She looked over and frowned at him.

"What do you want?"

Draco looked side to side again before saying. "Uh, duh. I already said."

"Oh, really? That wasn't just a made up excuse to come annoy me about our living arrangements?" Hermione shot him a knowing look.

Draco wriggled his eyebrows at her. Hermione huffed and walked faster. She entered their first class, Defence Against the Dark Arts, letting the door slam behind her hearing a very satisfying 'oof' come from Draco. In retaliation he took the seat next to her. She stared at him with her mouth open.

"Did you mix your blue potion with your red one today, Malfoy. I'm Her-my-o-nee," she emphasized. "The muggleborn witch, friend of Harry Potter."

"Your point?" he drawled.

"You don't like me."

"Correct."

Hermione huffed. "So why are you sitting next to me then?"

Draco smiled at that. "It bugs the hell out of you."

Hermione's huffed in irritation. "That's harassment! I can give out detention for that."

"I am merely sitting in close proximity. It's up to you whether it bothers you or not." Draco replied loftily.

Other students started arriving then. Eventually, Harry and Ron entered. They frowned as they came upon Draco.

"Hermione?" She looked up at Ron. "Can I take him out now and beat the shi—"

"Good morning, students."

The students looked up to see the new D.A.D.A. professor come out of his office. Ron and Harry gave Malfoy one last glare and took seats in front of him and Hermione.

"Well, since we seemed to be full up, how bout I start now, hm?" the Professor turned to his chalk board behind his desk and wrote out his name.

"I am Professor Mortimer Longhorn and I will be your Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher."

Draco saw the man was tall. Very tall, in fact and towered even over Ron, big ape that he was. He had long sideburns, a straight prominent nose, and sparkling green eyes. Great, another Gryffindor lover, Draco thought for he had a sincere face.

"Now, I know a few of you already. Miss Granger, our Head Girl," he gestured to her. "Blaise Zabini, our Head Boy." He nodded to Blaise, sitting behind Draco. "Now I have a very sharp mind, I tell you, you'll only have to tell me your name once and it'll always be right up here," he said, tapping his temple. "Now, when I point to you, if you will tell me your name. You there?" he pointed to the back. The students stood, telling them their names. The first Slytherin he pointed to added their house along with their name and this caused the rest of the following to state whether they were Gryffindor or Slytherin.

When Longhorn got to Draco, he stood.

"Draco Malfoy, Slytherin." And Draco sat back down.

"Very nice to meet you, Draco. I see you are sitting with a Gryffindor, the only Slytherin and Gryffindor to do so, I've noticed." He looked around the room. "Yes, I know of your houses rivalry with each other and that will probably help with our wand execution." Giving them all a glance, he continued. "Anyway, ten points to each house for setting an example. Now you, sir?"

Ron stood.

"Ronald Weasley, Gryffindor, sir."

Professor Longhorn squinted at Ron in thought. "You're mother wouldn't happen to be Molly, would she?"

Ron nodded. Longhorn was delighted.

"Ah! I thought you looked like her. Same red hair. I was at school here back in my day. Been out of the country, far too long. Anyway, you young sir?" he pointed to Harry as Ron sat.

Harry stood. "Harry Potter, sir."

"Oh, yes there you are. Did not see you there, Mr. Potter. Very pleased to meet you finally."

Once introductions were finished, they were told to get out a quill.

"Now, I am to understand there was an extracurricular group the past few years studying D.A.D.A. on their own. Because of this, we will have a little exam to see where you all are. Please, no cheating. Simply, answer everything to the best of your ability; this will not be graded, it's simply for my reference."

While the rest of the class was taking the test, Professor Longhorn left to his office at one point and Draco used this opportunity to look over at Hermione's parchment. Hermione frowned sensing someone watching her and looked over to see Draco looking away. Rolling her eyes, she pulled her parchment closer, her back to him. Draco smirked. He pulled out his wand, glancing at the professor's door, and spoke a spell in his head, aiming his wand at her head. He watched her hair rise to stand straight up in the air. A sound like someone choking back a laugh came from behind him, and Draco looked back, to see Blaise coughing. Draco smiled back and went back to his test.

"Alright, class. Time's up—Merlin's beard!" Professor Longhorn stopped short behind his desk, at seeing Hermione. She had let her hair grow out, so there was quite a bit more of it than usual. Everyone looked to see what Longhorn was looking at, and laughter broke out. Harry and Ron saw too and started choking back laughs. Hermione frowned and started feeling her face and head, noticing everyone looking at her.

"Miss Granger, are you quite alright?" Professor Longhorn asked.

Hermione felt how her hair was standing straight and immediately looked to her right, glaring at Draco. "Real mature," she muttered, as she pulled out her wand before muttering, "finite incantatem."

Her hair immediately fell in waves, and covered her face. The class bell rang then, signaling the end of class. Everyone stood to leave, laughing, as Longhorn Accio-ed all the exams. Hermione stood and Draco watched as she bent forward, before quickly bringing her head up, her hair flying back behind her, settling down her back. Three of four boys stood around her transfixed. It was an utterly feminine thing to do, and thus uncharacteristic of Hermione. Plus, she looked really good doing it. Hermione looked up to see Ron, Harry, and Draco staring at her.

"What?" she asked looking around.

They all looked away, either scratching their head or shuffling their books, while Blaise stood behind them, laughing.

"Alright, kiddies. Off to your next classes," Blaise said, trying to pull a straight face.

Draco looked at him as they fell into step. "What's wrong with you?"

Blaise let out a laugh. "Nothing. Nothing at all."