Friends,

I usually find some time in-between classes to post a new chapter, but I was unable to get this one up until just now. Sorry about that! I hope you all enjoy this one. Let me know what you think! Oh, and… things get a little risqué for a moment… so be warned.

Love,

SweetSlytherinPrincess

Locomotive

Chapter XIV

The weekend came and went, Hermione's days spent almost entirely in bed or lazing near the fire. By Monday she felt almost completely recovered, save for a few aches when she turned a certain way. While her injuries had healed, she constantly worried about her situation. She was constantly on edge, and still wondered if she was half mad. Logical thinking told her to get over her silly crush and stay where she was. Logic told her that Malfoy was dangerous, untrustworthy.

But since that day in the infirmary she say something buried deep within him. She saw a glimpse of his soul. And there was no turning back. Through his wicked smirks and harsh tone, she saw something soft that yearned to be accepted. Perhaps that was what drew her to him in such a way. She herself seeking acceptance, whether it be consciously or subconsciously. It was part of the reason she studied so hard. So many looked at her as though she couldn't accomplish the same things because she came from a muggle family. Hell, even Malfoy. Her heart felt connected to him. She wanted so badly for him to feel accepted, wanted, loved.

It was no easy task, and she doubted herself every moment. Each day she walked through the halls and met suspicious stares – rumors spreading like wildfire ever since they had walked through Hogsmeade together. There were plenty females who shot her threatening glances. Plenty from her own house who felt betrayed. It even went so far as a handful of boys – usually Slytherin – calling her a tart as they passed. Perhaps getting the idea that what had gone on between her and the Prince was far more than innocent.

None the less, Hermione held her chin high the best she could. And she actually hadn't seen much of him lately. Her class load was substantial, as was his. And Hermione spent much of her time in the Library. They few times they had crossed paths, her heart fluttered, and she knew he could tell. Never before had she noticed how well he could read people. How his brooding stare was often times his way of picking people apart. If she watched closely, there were little changes in his expressions that gave away how much he really knew. Especially that dashing, mysterious smirk.

It was time for potions. Hermione's practical shoes clapped loudly and echoed through the stone walls of the dungeon. It was strange for her, with the new professor. She didn't know of Snape's true intentions until after his death, so she never had a chance to experience his presence without her underlying suspicion. Now it was Professor Tantibus. From day one, Hermione was made uneasy by her. And it wasn't because physically, she was the exact opposite of Snape. No, it wasn't that nearly every young man's eyes' in the room were glued to her pouty wine-colored lips. It was simply that her name in Latin translated to nightmare.

Despite the name however, Professor Tantibus had never given the impression that she had the intention of living up to her name. She was strict, perhaps… but taught well and Hermione felt slightly more challenged than previous years. But Hermione stayed on her guard anyway, perhaps foolishly.

"Welcome, welcome." Tantibus' accent was floaty and warm. "Please hurry to your seats, we have a lot to accomplish in a short amount of time today." She called, her mocha eyes dancing with amusement. She stood tall and straight, the upper half of her robe seeming to be made of sturdier fabric that was cinched tight and buttoned all the way up. The bottom half, while still the same pitch black color, the bottom however, flowed elegantly and was soft looking to the eye. Her hair was loose, her chocolate heavy curls pulled in front of her shoulders, falling to about her waist.

"Please open your textbooks to page two-hundred-sixteen and look over the instructions a few times while we wait for everyone to arrive."

Hermione flipped open her book, and read swiftly. From the first word she knew what they were making. It was Veritaserum. A few drops and the drinker cannot tell a lie. She smiled, excited to get to work. But she tilted her head and shot her hand into the air.

"Yes, Granger." Tantibus said.

"I thought the production of this potion was highly regulated..."

"You're right. It is. I have gotten permission from the ministry to teach you to make it. Though, not one of us truly think any will turn out. Those that do, if any, will be confiscated immediately."

"Oh, I see." Hermione's eyes went back to the text, and she read excitedly. So excitedly that she barely noticed a body slip into the seat next to her. Her brows knit together as she read, the ingredients and procedures being quite advanced and lengthy. Some also, rather dangerous. Her hand fought the urge to strike into the air. He knee began to bobble and her hair seemed to frizz up as she read it over again. She suddenly felt something press against her leg, and her head shot up.

"Calm down." Draco Malfoy sat beside her, his body practically glued to hers. His hands were folded neatly on the table, his face a perfect picture of amusement as he watched her stress over an assignment that hadn't even started. She didn't need to ask to know that he was laughing at her internally. With a scrunched nose she shot her tongue out at him before tossing her head in the other direction. His eyes grew wide at the sight of her childish response. But he laughed, his blue-grey eyes sizing her up.

"Everyone hush up. Class has begun. If you've just recently entered, we are all on page two-hundred-and-sixteen." There was a classroom-wide shuffling of paper as most students rushed to find the page. Many of the young boys hoping to impress the goddess-like woman that stood before them.

"Now. If you look over the ingredients required, you will see that many of these items are not readily available. Also, take note that this potion needs a lunar cycle to mature. As such, this isn't something that we will be finishing today. As a matter of fact, it will take much of the rest of our time together. This potion is highly advanced. The techniques needed to brew it giving us enough material to cover for quite some time." Her voice rang loud and clear though the dark classroom. She paced slowly around the front, waving her arms gracefully as she spoke.

"For the next two months, all of you will be collecting the items needed in order to brew this potion, and then preparing it in phases. You may select a partner. I don't care who, but you have the next sixty seconds. Go." As she finished speaking, the noise level in the room grew as every stood and chattered to find a partner. Hermione moved to stand also, only to feel Malfoy grasp her writs tightly before pulling her down into her seat. She huffed, glaring at him as she hid a grin.

"Alright, alright." Tantibus mused. "Now the first section of items shouldn't be too difficult to acquire. Please read through them, Chapter thirty-four, section twelve and chapter forty-two section seven will discuss the items in more detail and help you along the way. Please work with your partner to draft an essay on the specifics of the first five ingredients. Their whereabouts, uses, side effects, and history. It should be in my hands by the next time we meet. Carry on."

Instantly Hermione move and opened Malfoys textbook to the first chapter mentioned, and her own to the second. She furiously took notes, her eyes darting to and from each book. Malfoy watched in amusement, carefully reading what she took down.

"I'm surprised you don't already know this stuff." He said.

"The first few are pretty rudimentary. But taking notes again helps refresh my memory. The last few are a bit more foreign to me." Her tone was serious, and she didn't falter in her movements.

"Of course." Malfoy rolled his eyes and leaned in his chair. As he watched her, his heart grew warm. She was the same she always had been. Flustered and serious with her nose stuck in a book. Her hair falling wildly about her. The only thing different was that he wasn't sneering at her from across the room. With a glance around him, he noticed everyone was focused on their work. Most struggling a bit more, some bantering back and forth about the best way to go about it all. Malfoy smirked, and leaned closer to his partner, who barely seemed to notice.

"Why do you always insist on sitting in the front row?" Malfoys breath was hot in her ear. She jumped, distracted finally.

"I like it." She said simply, moving slowly back to the paper, freezing instantly as she felt a warm hand cap her knee. Her eyes narrowed, and she eyed him with a frown. Yet, his gaze was forward, paying no attention to her as his free hand slid an open book closer to him. He leaned forward slightly and began to read, his hand moving up slightly, his fingers drawing small circles on her inner thigh.

She blushed and attempted to move her leg away but he quickly held on to her, his expression never changing as he pretended to study. Her mouth hung open and she began to stammer.

"Hush your mouth and get to reading, Granger. I won't be doing this project on my own." He said to her, loud enough for many to hear. For a moment she stared, her entire face a deep red. But soon she moved, pulling the book close to her, burying her nose in it once more. Her heart raced.

But she didn't process a single word. For Malfoy had begun circling his fingers on her tender skin once more, slowly but surely growing closer to her middle.

"Malfoy…" She whispered, but he did not look at her. "I don't think…. It's a good idea…" Her voice was nervous, and she could see the tiniest smirk on his face. Despite her protest however, her legs gently widened as he neared her core, as soft gasp escaping her lips.

He grinned openly then, recovering by turning the page, as though he'd been diligently reading. His finger traced the outline of her panties and soon gently rubbed her most sensitive center. She shuddered, her legs reflexively attempting to close, but he pulled them wider once more.

His heart sped up. His fantasies running wild. There they were, the front row. The professor working at her desk, classmates surrounding them. And yet he had Hermione melting at his touch. Hermione! The practical, holier than thou, goody-goody. He could barely contain his excitement! As a matter of fact, as he stroked her once more, he felt the dampness seeping through the soft fabric, and his own manhood began to swell – straining tightly against the dark fabric of his trousers. He tilted his head back, and looked at her sideways. Her face was a hot mixture of guiltiness and pleasure. Her mouth parted and her eyes shut tight as she clutched her textbook fiercely. He let his fingers stroke her lips and he felt her shiver, the wetness beginning to transfer to his fingers.

Malfoy wasn't new to the idea of such acts. However, before he had always been able to contain himself. But now, here, with the Hermione Granger – he wasn't sure if he could continue much longer without having to outright throw her up onto of one of the desks without a care who saw. He suppressed a groan and hooked his fingers within the seam, desperate to feel her skin. She tensed, but the second a finger traveled sensually up her wet slit, she practically melted into her seat, a quiet moan escaping her mouth. He could practically taste her arousal.

"Alright class." Tantibus spoke, and Malfoy withdrew his hand from Hermione immediately, but kept it in his lap as to not reveal the evidence of his delinquent act.

"Time is up for today. Continue to work on this for the rest of the week, as your grade hinges on this project." She nodded, and everyone began to shuffle their things away. Tantibus moved towards Hermione, her expression puzzled.

"Miss Granger, are you quite alright?" She spoke. Hermione jolted to attention and nodded her head fiercely.

"Y… yes professor. Just a bit feverish as of the morning, I'd say." She hurriedly gathered her things and stood, Malfoy watching her with a smile. Tantibus glanced at him then, a smirk forming on her face as she eyed him over.

"Mr. Malfoy, do try to not let Miss Granger do all the work." She motioned to his notebook, which remained black. Malfoy nodded his head.

"Yes, professor." He replied, grinning with a sense of accomplishment as Hermione rushed for the door, her face flushed.