A/N i do not own Harry Potter, I own this story. Sorry for the lame title. Enjoy!! And please review! :)
HUH??
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"Yes Miss Granger?" Professor Sprout was standing behind all the plants at the end of the table.
"The cry of a mandrake is fatal when they are full-grown. Babies will not kill you, but it will knock you out for several hours. These need to be cared for carefully, for when they are fully mature, they make a powerful restorative." Hermione said proudly.
"Correct! Twenty points to Gryffindor!" she said "Now ear muffs on, I know it's been a while since you have re-potted mandrakes but I do not want a repeat performance from you Mr Longbottom. Flaps tight down and begin," she said putting on her own and with a nod of her head, the whole class secured and yanked theirs out of the pot.
Hermione scrunched up her nose as the ugly little baby was screaming at her until she dumped it into another pot and began to pile soil in to its mouth. The Slytherin opposite her had not once glared at her nor made a snide remark, he had completely ignored her. His blonde hair seemed to be shinier than usual and the expression on his face was one that sent jolts through Hermione's stomach. She had not told Harry or Ron what she had heard. She would keep Malfoy's secret. However, she still felt sorry for him.
'You should just leave him to it Hermione'
The voice in the back of her head was nagging at her again.
I cant, I know whom and what he is but just look at him, he does not want what his father wants. Does he?
Its not your problem Hermione, leave him to it, he is big enough to sort himself out.
Maybe you are right...
Hermione sighed, pulled another mandrake out of a plant pot, and re-homed it into another. She glanced around at the table to see Neville was swaying on the spot and Harry was helping Ron get his finger back from the screaming baby.
"AHHHHH!" Lavender let out a shriek so loud it matched that of the mandrake she was holding up in the air in front of her.
The class all looked at her with shock, as her mandrake was no longer screaming at her; instead, it looked at her with wide black eyes. The fuss Lavender appeared to be making turned out to be all about a worm. The whole class erupted with laughter and finished off their own before gathering their bags and walking back up to the castle.
"Did you see her face?" Ron said still red faced from lack of air.
"I did." Harry said grinning at Hermione who was still smiling at the two.
"Lavender Brown, scared of worms, and mandrakes shut up if you scream back at them loud enough, you learn something new everyday." Hermione giggled as she bent down to retrieve the book that she had just dropped when a certain someone's foot was now holding it in place.
"You sure do Granger," a cold voice came from above Hermione and she looked up to meet cold blue and grey eyes.
Blaise Zabini walked up beside his best mate and looked down at the mudblood who was glaring up at them. Crabbe and Goyle were standing behind watching. "So Granger what you doing down there? Licking Potters feet now are we?" he said rising and eyebrow at her smirking.
"I can think of something else Granger would like to lick," Malfoy snickered as her cheeks began to turn bright red with anger.
Hermione snatched her book from underneath his foot and stood up, glaring.
"Is Potter a better shag?" he said "If you ever need a change you know where I am," he winked and dodged the jinxes that the three were all shooting at him.
"Drop dead!" Hermione hissed at him, gaining an audience.
"Say that again mudblood and you will regret it." Draco snarled back.
"Im not scared of you Malfoy, if anything at all, I pity you," she spat at him then turned her back on the Slytherins before she broke their necks.
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"You could just say you're ill, I think ive got some of Fred and Georges puking pasties upstairs," Ron said.
"I cant, I don't have a choice, I have to go,"
"What's so bad about it?" Harry asked and the two stared at their friend blankly.
"What's so bad? What's...?" Hermione said in disbelief "This is Draco Malfoy were talking about, just so your clear on that, and I have to hold his hand and be face to face with him while we dance!" she said burring her head in her hands "What is not so bad about that?" then throwing her hands up into the air.
"Mione, the teachers will be there, he cant do anything, yes, I admit him touching you is a nasty thing to have to endure, but if he steps over the line just say and I'll find him a hole in the ground." Harry said.
Hermione sighed and Ron patted her back awkwardly. "I had better go and get ready then." she mumbled and walked up into her dorm.
Her wardrobe seemed to be filled with sensible clothing; Professor McGonagall had asked the girls to wear a dress and the boys to wear black trousers and a white shirt.
Where was she going to get a dress?
Ginny.
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"I need a dress," Hermione said sitting on the bed.
The red head smiled as she rooted through her own clothes until she pulled out a sensible v-neck, lilac dress that ended at her knees.
"Dancing lessons?" Ginny asked assuming by the look on her friends face.
A depressed sigh and a curt nod said it all.
Hermione looked at it for a moment before talking it and dressing in the bathroom. She emerged with a weak smile on her face as she grasped up the black high-heeled shoes.
"Oh Hermione! It's lovely!" Ginny said sitting on her bed "You have to wear it!"
Hermione twisted on the spot and watched it wrap its self around her legs then twirl out again. "So I look okay? Not too...revealing?"
"No, its perfect," Ginny said smiling as she looked at her watch "I know he's a right self-centred pig, but if you can get through this lesson that only leaves you two dance lessons to go," she said walking over to her calendar. "Look, I worked it out; from today that leaves eight days until the dance,"
Hermione's spirits raised a little. "Or I could always just stay up here with you, if McGonagall comes looking you can tell her that im in bed with a terrible headache and it's my time of the month and I can't possibly dance,"
Ginny giggled and pulled her up off the bed "Since when were you a skiver?"
"Since I was told I had to dance with Ferret," Hermione mumbled as the Wesley pushed her out the door.
"Just go, get it over with, then when it's over come and find me," she said smiling.
Hermione sighed, "Thanks for the dress, I'll see you later then..."
"Okay." Ginny replied and watched Hermione leave before shutting the door.
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The hall was dark, lit up with candles to try to set the mood and everyone seemed to be in the required clothing and standing with their partners. Minerva was calling out the names and Hermione stood hidden behind the entrance door hoping she wouldn't be noticed.
"Planning on standing there the whole lesson?" Draco said coldly form behind her.
Hermione spun around clutching her chest "Don't ever do that again!" she growled. "And as a matter of fact, yes I was."
"Did you know were being graded on this?" Draco said smartly
Hermione looked into his glassy eyes and raised an eyebrow "What reason do I have to believe you on that?" she asked
"You don't."
"..."
"Fine, have it your way Granger, fail for all I care." Malfoy said holding up his hands then walking into the hall.
The brunette sighed and followed him, much to her dismay she saw Malfoy smirk at her. Oh how she despised that smirk. What she would not give to wipe it off his snotty, pureblood face...
"I knew it, the day you don't turn up to class ill worry," he drawled
"You worry?" she laughed bitterly "And about a mudblood too."
"It was figure of speech Granger," he replied coldly then looked at her dress "You look like a girl Granger." he smirked.
Hermione rolled her eyes "You only just noticed? Besides dont you dare try and be nice to me after what you said earlier."
"Hmm, well you always have those lovely feminine parts of yours covered up." he teased ignoring her and watched her blush with a mixture of fury and flattery.
She is so cute when she does that.................cute?
Did he just pay me a compliment?
"Now were all here please stand close together, girls place one hand in your partners and the other on their shoulder, boys the other hand on her waist." McGonagall interrupted their train of thought
Hermione tensed as he put his hand firmly on her waist and took her hand in his, which to her surprise was warm and fitted nicely into hers.
"Good, good, now," she flicked he wand and some slow music began. "It is fairly simple. Left forward, right back. Repeat this twice," she said "Then boys spin your partner out slowly... LEFT SIDE MR WEASLEY! Then twirl your partner in and pull them close into your chest."
Hermione did as required but felt her heart rate quicken and her face burn as she was now in Malfoys arms and staring into his troubled orbs. Lucky for her it was dark.
"Now, I know this is a slow dance, but it only lasts seven minutes and the quicker we get it learnt the sooner it will end on the night, we only have three attempts at this so PAY ATTENTION!" She said in her distinct Scottish accent. The music began again the longer Hermione seemed to glide around the room with Malfoy the more she noticed he had done this before. Her feet however were killing her from the high heels she was not used to and gratefully sat down when they were given a break.
"I never knew you could dance," Hermione said as Draco was rolling his sleeves up to his elbows and watching her pull off her shoes.
"You never asked." he replied coldly
I think I liked it better when we were dancing....
Hermione stood up as McGonagall turned the music back on. The same tune was starting to bore into her head. Walking was like stepping on fire and wasn't sure if she could face putting Ginny's heels back on, instead she walked with Draco and resumed her position.
"What?" she asked sceptically.
"You appear to be missing your shoes," Draco said amused and ready to watch her blush again the run off in embarrassment to retrieve them.
Hermione frowned "I know...im not used to walking in heels...unlike your Slytherin sluts, it's quite obvious you've done this before,"
Draco held her stare. Their eyes seemed to be the shining in the candlelight. "Mother was holding parties since before I was born, the day I could walk mother would put on her records and taught me how to dance," he replied.
"Miss Granger, Mr Malfoy, if you would care to start dancing I would be grateful," the Transfiguration teacher said, obviously stressed. Not that Hermione could blame her. She knew for a fact that most students at this school had two left feet.
"Now step to the right then the left, slowly repeat from the beginning and in the end you should find yourselves circling slowly."
This was easy! Much better than doing Harry and Rons homework. Draco Malfoy did have a heart after all; it was just hard getting it to come out.
"Terry Boot, I said the right first NOT forward!" McGonagall bellowed
"NO, NO, NO, LEFT FORWARD RIGHT BACK!"
"MR WEASLEY HOLD HER HAND! MISS CHANG IT IS NOT A RACE, SLOW DOWN! MISS DAVIS STRAIGHTEN UP!" she yelled, her face glowing an exhausted red colour that was even visible in the dark. Her gaze then turned to Draco and Hermione whom were glaring at each other but seemed to be dancing perfectly. "EXCELENT! MISS GRANGER, MR MALFOY, THIRTY POINTS EACH!" she yelled so the others shrunk in embarrassment just an inch more and then sank into a chair.
The dim lighting in the room was definitely appreciated.
Hermione let go of Draco as the music stopped and they were dismissed, he bowed and she curtsied and then they both made their way to their common rooms without another word.
That wasent so bad...
No, it was just plain weird.
It was not, I kinda liked it.
Oh, shut up!
Oh, come on you enjoyed it too!
I enjoyed the fact that not one insult left his mouth while we were dancing.
Im your conscience Hermione Granger, don't mess with me.
Fine! I enjoyed it. Slightly
And why did you enjoy it?
Because he's a really good dancer...
Liar.
Hermione hit her head with the palm of her hand and shook her head. She had to stop talking to herself, it was getting obsessive. Everybody knew that talking to yourself was the first sign of madness...
Her feet were still aching and by time she was showered and in her pjs, Hermione was snuggled up in bed under her covers, the moon shining through the window as her eyes became droopy and she fell into a very confusing dream...
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A/N good, bad , delete? more fights? whatever you think just write it in a review, it will only take two minutes and I'll be very greatful!
just something to clear up from a review i recieved: She is so cute when she does that...cute? this is Draco's thoughts :)