What Binds Us Chapter 3, a harry potter fanfic

Title: What Binds Us [Chapter ３/??]
Author: Rorania
Rating: R
Warnings: Language, sexual references
Word Count: 2,715
Summary: Starts after HBP. Draco's under protection of the Order, much to the Golden Trio's dismay.
This chap: Draco overhears something that gives him not-so-nice ideas and Hermione will tell him exactly what she thinks of them...

Chapter 三

三三三三三三

"Hermione, what was that all about?"

Hermione looked up at her two best friends. "Uh, Malfoy being immature."

"Why was he sitting next to you?" asked Harry.

Hermione sighed. "To annoy me."

"He didn't call you…anything did he?" asked Ron.

Hermione slowed as she rested her pack on her shoulder. "No, Ron. Just being a prat, is all."

Hermione took off for her next class, which she didn't have with Harry and Ron. Advanced Arithmancy. She did however, have it with Draco, and sighed when she saw him sitting in her customary seat from last year. Choosing the other side of the room, Hermione pulled out her notes and parchment from last year. As she was about to put her quill to parchment, a balled up parchment hit her in the head. Slowly she looked in the direction it came from, seeing Draco make kissy faces at her. She scrunched up her nose and uncrumpled the parchment. It showed a girl in a witch's robe with her wavy, bushy hair standing straight up on end, her mouth in an O-shape, holding her face.

Making a face, Hermione immediately ripped it in half twice before crumpling it up again. Professor Vector came in then and started class. Hermione refused to look in Draco's direction the entire class. When he came up to her afterward, she ignored him and went the other way around the desk to leave. He cut quickly around to catch her right outside the classroom door.

"Oh my God, WHAT, Malfoy? What could you possibly want NOW?"

Draco only grinned. "Well, see it started out just a bit of fun about me invading your precious common room. Now, I realize that since I don't have Crabbe and Goyle flanking me, Potty and Weasel are a little more content to let you deal with me and it's so much easier to vex you now without them around."

Hermione suddenly looked tired.

"Fine, whatever…" she pushed past him and strode down the hallway.

Draco frowned at her response. "Where are you going?"

"Gryffindor Tower," she said without turning. "You can't follow me in there."

Satisfied he'd ruffled her feathers enough for one morning, Draco smiled and took off in the opposite direction.

Hermione threw her bag on the ground before plopping down on the couch with a sigh.

"What's wrong?" asked Harry.

"Oh, nothing. So, what's the plan?" Hermione asked, changing the subject.

"Well, McGonagall approved this weekend, so we're planning on then. We don't know how long we'll be though."

Hermione nodded. "That's alright. Blaise can get Malfoy to help him with any extra Head duties while I'm gone."

"You still don't have to go. Either of you," Harry looked between his two friends.

Hermione laid a hand on his arm. "Harry. We've been through this. It's a done deal."

Ron clapped a hand on Harry's back. "That's right mate. Can't let you have all the glory this time."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Thanks, guys."

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They left that weekend. Hermione managed to side-step Draco's nosy questions about leaving the common room so late with a knapsack. They managed to return for Monday classes, but barely. They did manage to destroy a horcrux though, so only a couple more before the big battle.

Another plus out of her little journey was Draco was extremely put out. It frustrated him to no end that she wouldn't tell him where she went. Hermione just smiled and went on her way. However, he resumed his immature routine of bugging her every class, so Hermione was soon ready to hex him to Azkaban and back.

Luckily, Hermione had realized beforehand that without her wand, she'd be helpless. So in the Hermione-fashion, she studied potions and spells to use on herself before a confrontation. One of those gave her enhanced strength. A potion was more long-lasting, giving her up to 24 hours of Rogue/Ms. Marvel-like strength. A spell could only give her a few minutes up to an hour of improved might.

The spell was what she used this time, and currently held Draco by the neck against the corridor wall five inches above the floor. He was currently gripping her hand and choking out curses.

"Say you'll drop it and leave me alone." She demanded.

"Gak-ga-guk!"
She pressed him harder. "Say it!"

He finally held up his hands in surrender. She relaxed her hold.

"I give! I-chk!-leave alone-you.."

Hermione released her hold entirely and watched him crumple to the floor. Draco glared up at her as he rubbed his neck.

"Merde, Granger. Fuckin' Head, aren't you?"

"Precisely. Which means I don't need reform cases distracting me from upholding this school's standard."

Draco frowned, getting slowly to his feet.

"I wonder what McGonagall will think of your techniques."

"Go ahead." Hermione shrugged. "If you really think she'll take your word over mine."

Draco cocked his head at her. "You'd lie to your beloved Head of House? Why how very Slytherin of you. I think me and Blaise have had a good effect on you."

"One, my ex-Head of House, two, it's 'Blaise and I', & three," she cocked her head to the side as well, "You have done nothing to deserve any leeway or trust, so it'll be my word everyone will go by in dealings between you and me."

She leveled a very serious, malevolent stare at him. Draco narrowed his eyes at her, half in confusion, half in respect. Hermione turned from him after a moment, heading down the hall.

"You'll not walk over me this year, Malfoy."

A month passed. Draco left her alone, and she and the boys were still planning their next horcrux excursion. Unfortunately, there was a ball coming up. Unfortunately, because the trio was forced to contemplate dates. Hermione and Ron had broken up far too soon ago for them to consider going as friends and there was still so much between Harry and Ginny, they would not even look at each other. At least that's what Harry thought.

"Ginny, can I speak with you a moment please?"

Ginny turned to see a very put out Harry standing behind her.

"Sure."

They walked away from her group of friends and to a deserted tree.

"You're dating Blaise?!" Harry started.

"Harry-"

"Just yes or no, Ginny."

"It's not that simple. He asked me to the ball."

"And you said yes?" Harry said incredulous.

Ginny frowned. "Why shouldn't I? You certainly aren't going to."

Harry threw up his hands and sighed. "I thought you understood why we couldn't…"

"Oh, I understand. But don't tell me you weren't thinking of asking someone else," Ginny challenged.

Harry opened his mouth but nothing came out. He gestured helplessly.

"I don't know, I thought I'd take Hermione. Is that okay?"

Ginny frowned. "My brother's ex and my best friend?"

Harry looked confused. "We'd go as friends, obviously."

Ginny looked away. Finally, "You really weren't thinking of anyone else?"

Harry shook his head.

"Well, I already told Blaise I'd go. I can't tell him no now." Ginny saw Harry's pained look. "I'm sorry, Harry." She patted his arm, before walking back to her friends.

Draco turned away as he heard Potter leave. So he was going to ask Granger, eh. They deserved each other, Draco thought. Although, if Hermione were going with someone else, Harry would be the loser going stag. Unless, he picked some slut just to piss off Ginny. Then, Ginny would want to stay with Blaise. Draco had been hearing all weekend about his friend wanting to ask her. Draco grinned maliciously. If he got Granger to go with him, Harry couldn't take her, therefore would take some slag just to piss Ginny off, thereby giving Blaise more time to convince her to being his girl. Upside: Harry loses his girl and he keeps his friend happy. Downside: he'd have to take Granger to the ball. Draco shrugged it off. He didn't have to be with her the entire ball; getting her to agree to go with him would be the hard part.

Draco took off to find his quarry. Who knows when Potter would ask her and he didn't have a chance in hell with her after that.

Draco checked the library before heading to the Head dorms. As he reached their portrait, Harry just arrived too.

"What are you doing here Potter? Having it out with Blaise," Draco taunted.

"Shove it, ferret-face. Have you seen Hermione?"

"Since it'll get you to go away, she's said something about reading at the pitch."

"The Quidditch Pitch?" Harry asked with a lift of his eyebrows.

"No the crup pitch. Get out of my face."

Harry rolled his eyes.

Draco smirked as Harry turned down the way Draco came. Draco said the password and headed into his common room crossing to the other side this time. Brushing down his hair, and straightening his collar, Draco cleared his throat, before knocking on Hermione's door.

"Who is it?"

"Uh, it's Draco."

Pause.

"Just a minute."

Draco started muttering to himself, 'Hermione, Hermione, Hermione, Herm—'

The door was abruptly pulled open.

"Hermione."

She frowned at him. "What do you want?"

"I'd like to apologize. Can I come in?"

Instead of answering, she stepped forward and closed her door behind her.

Crossing her arms, she said, "Out here's fine."

"Er, alright." He gestured to the couch.

Hermione moved around and sat in the armchair. Draco took a seat on the couch.

"I'm really sorry for being such a git lately."

"Lately? Pft—" Hermione scoffed.

Draco held back his retort. Sniping at her would get him nowhere.

"Fine, I mean in the past," he amended. "I would like to make it up to you by escorting you to the Halloween Ball."

Hermione immediately frowned.

"You're asking me to the ball?"

Draco nodded.

"What's in it for you?"

Draco's gaze darted around as if searching for an answer. "Why the pleasure of your company of course."

Hermione simply gave him a disbelieving look.

Draco was suddenly hit with inspiration. "Fine. If I go with you, it might restore the good will towards my family and make it easier for me around here."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "That is the biggest load of crap I've ever heard." She stood and headed to her room.

"No, no, no, no, wait, wait!" Draco jumped up, grabbing her arm to stop her.

She paused but looked down at his hand on her arm in incredulity. He immediately let go.

"Look. I know you hate me. I have no reason to expect you to help me, but I just thought I'd try my chances with you first anyway. I mean," he gestured helplessly, actually getting into the whole begging thing. "You're smart, not half-bad in dress robes; you have some Slytherin tendencies that are a bit of a turn-on…" he added, smiling to himself.

Hermione made a disgusted face before turning away.

Draco came to then and halted her once more. "No, wait! Look, just think about it okay. Give me a chance."

Hermione gave him a shrewd look. "Who'd you make a bet with, cause I'd like to make sure I don't say yes to them either."

"You think I'd make a bet on this? Actually, that does sound very Slytherin, but I haven't. Look, give me a couple days to convince you. Just don't agree to go with anyone else for a couple days."

"You think you can make up for years of bullying and discrimination in two days?"

"Well, would you be willing to give me a week?"

Hermione gave him a scrutinizing look. "Five days," she said finally. "And if you give me any reason to doubt your sincerity between now and the ball, I reserve the right to say no, or dump you."

Draco wiggled his eyebrows at her. "Deal."

Hermione didn't look amused. She just gave him an even stare before turning back towards her room.

Draco turned towards his room, thinking 'oh shit, oh shit, oh shit…' Entering his room, Draco turned and breathed in relief.

"Thank Merlin, Blaise, I need your help…"

Draco had no idea how to 'court' a girl like Hermione. Before, Pansy had draped herself all over him and girls had always tried to gain his favour, not the other way around.

Luckily, Blaise was feeling charitable and gave him some ideas. He was to be nice, compliment her clothes and hair, avoid talking about her friends since her friends happened to be Weasley and Potter, offer to help out with some school thing and give her little, meaningful gifts. The gift part he could do. Avoiding talking about her friends, he figured he could manage. Complimenting her hair and clothes though…that was just too much. He'd made jokes about her hair ever since he met her first year, and her clothes were plebian. Either she wore a shapeless Hogwarts robe, or those muggle things. He supposed he could help with the ball preparations. Deciding that would be the best way to start, he caught her on the way to lunch the next day.

"Hey, Gra—Hermione."

She turned to see him catch up with her.

"I wanted to see if you needed any help with the ball preparations or decorating or anything," he said.

She continued to walk and he fell in beside her. "Hmm, and would this be how you're planning to persuade me?" She lifted her eyebrows at him.

Draco countered with an eyebrow lift of his own. "Only part one of my plan."

"Oh, so there is a plan." Hermione stopped and turned to face him. "What makes you think I believed that load of rubbish about me restoring your family's name?"

"You don't believe me?"

Hermione looked side to side to see if they were being observed before stepping closer and lifting her head to his ear.

"I repulse you," she breathed. "I can see it in your eyes, your manner…" Her gaze flicked up to his as she leaned back a bit. "And I admit, I abhor you." She stepped back then. "Whatever your reason, it's not because you want or need to take me."

At his incredulous expression, she added. "Don't even try to feign innocence, I can read boys, and girls for that matter. I may not always understand but I can tell their emotions and how they think or feel."

Draco snorted. "What are you clairvoyant?"

She narrowed her gaze. "Don't be ridiculous, I don't believe in that crap. It's simply a skill I have a knack for. So don't think I'll be an easy, naïve mark you can manipulate with a few deeds and pretty words. But we do need help decorating so I will sign you up to help." With that, she turned and continued on to the Great Hall.

Draco shook his head and ran a frustrated hand through his hair. What the fuck was he supposed to do now? Forget it, that's what. So what if Potter takes her, and Weaslette gets back with him at the dance and leaves Blaise alone and dateless… Well, that's what's wrong; Blaise was the only one to befriend him in his disgrace, he couldn't let him down. It's not like Draco had anyone else in mind for the ball or anything better to do. He'd just have to commit totally. Make Granger think he really liked her, then dump her after the ball…or during.

Draco headed to the library instead of lunch. He needed to think things out.

Draco's only role-model was Lucius, and Snape, but Snape would be no help in this situation. Lucius was top Slytherin in his day, and that was how he achieved girls' attentions. Plus his charm and suave… Since the whole Slytherin thing wouldn't help him here, Draco decided to concentrate on charm. Problem was, he had a history of being a snarky annoyance. So then Draco came up with a very sneaky plan.