The next Tuesday, Hermione marched into classroom 119 with a renewed interest in the concept of professionalism.
"Hello, Draco," she said crisply at the boy leaning back in his usual seat, with his feet up.
"Hello, Hermione," he responded, mimicking her formal tone.
Hermione sat down stiffly in the seat farthest from him and began sifting through her papers and books. Draco watched her with amusement.
"Ok what's going on?" He asked. "You're acting weirder than usual."
"Ha-ha," Hermione said, roused from her forced indifference. "Nothing is wrong. I just don't think we should mix business with, ah- pleasure."
She reddened.
Draco swung his feet down off the table and leaned forward. "Sure, Hermonie, if you say so," He reached his hand forward and began stroking the back of hers with his thumb.
Hermione inhaled sharply but didn't withdraw her hand.
"That's not playing fair," she said hoarsely.
"I never said I play fair." Draco whispered.
Hermione leaned forward and tilted her head, her lips inches from his. She saw Draco's eyes flutter shut.
"Two can play at that game, you know."
Draco chuckled, placed a hand on her chin, and drew her face even closer. Her lips brushed against his…
"Well, well well."
Hermione yelped and jumped backwards. Draco stumbled, tripped over his bag, and fell on the floor. Blaise Zabini was standing, his eyes narrowed, his haughty face cold.
Draco swore and scrambled to his feet. Hermione looked between them with panicked eyes.
"I have to say, Draco, of all people, I didn't expect this from you," Zabini walked slowly into the room. "Screwing a Mudblood? Have you really sunk so low?"
"Back off, Blaise," Draco muttered. He widened the distance between himself and Hermione
"You know, I had a suspicion something was going on. But this beats all."
"She's tutoring me. Snape's orders-"
"Tutoring you in what, exactly? I didn't realize she was so skilled at fuc-"
"Enough!" Draco shouted. "Whatever you think this-" he gestured aggressively between himself and Hermione- "is, get it out of your head. We're nothing. She's nothing."
Hermione watched their exchange in silence. At Draco's last words, her lips tightened. She could feel her eyes becoming watery, and she focused every ounce of her strength into maintaining her composure.
"Well," Hermione forced steadiness into her voice. "As fascinating as this conversation is, I have better places to be." Without so much as a glance at Draco, stalked out of the room, slamming the door behind her.
Draco stepped towards the closed door with every intention of wrenching it open and chasing after her. But something about Blaise's smirking face and Hermione's cold anger kept him rooted to the ground. Blaise continued to snigger.
"Why did you have to say those things to her?" Draco rounded on him, his expression murderous. Blaise cocked one eyebrow.
"Since when do you care about the feelings of Mudbloods?"
"Since when is it your fucking business?" Draco spat.
"No need to be so sensitive about it," Blaise responded nonchalantly. "Believe it or not, I'm actually trying to look out for you."
Draco snorted. "Since when is demeaning one of my friends 'looking out for me?'"
"'Friends,' is it?" Blaise responded, his expression haughty. "Draco, do you really need me to explain the implications of being 'friends' with a Mudblood?"
"Oh, give me a break, Blaise!" Draco cried, throwing up his hands. "Mudbloods, purebloods, can't you see it's all bullshit? Hermione's parents are Muggles and she's by far the smartest in our year! And you should hear about the technology that Muggles have invented! Do you know they have a way to send letters instantaneously? It's called e-mail! I've read about it"
Blaise continued to watch him steadily. "You're right, it may very well all be bullshit."
Draco's anger was momentarily forgotten in his surprise, "What?"
Blaise sat down in the seat formerly occupied by Draco and pulled a joint out of his pocket. He then pulled out his wand and lit one end. Draco, meanwhile, contemplated which part of Blaise's face he wanted to break first.
"On the one hand," Blaise said finally, "I find it hard to believe that magical ability has no connection to one's lineage, especially considering everything else we inherit from our parents." Blaise paused, then carefully continued, "But I'm not stupid. There have been enough Muggle-borns who have accomplished great things that it's difficult to believe that they're all exceptions to the rule that Purebloods are superior."
Draco listened with his mouth hanging open, digesting this new information. "But…then why do you hate Muggle-borns?"
"I don't. Not on any kind of personal level anyway."
When Draco still appeared utterly nonplussed, Blaise continued, "We live in a society where Purebloods hold a position of superiority. You're descended from two of the Sacred Twenty-Eight families; you know this. As long as it's beneficial to be a Pureblood, I'll fall in line with their ideology."
"So basically," Draco said slowly, "You'll willingly do something you know is morally wrong, as long as you have something to gain from it?"
"I'm a Slytherin, not a Hufflepuff," Blaise responded disdainfully, "I do what I have to do to make it in this world."
Draco snorted derisively. Blaise's eyes narrowed and he said, "You think half the people who claim to be Purebloods actually are? It's impossible; there aren't enough Pureblood families out there. I bet half your fellow Death Eaters aren't actually Purebloods."
"Including you?" Draco interjected sharply.
Blaise threw Draco a sideways glance and said, "The Zabini's can trace their roots fairly far back as a Pureblood family. My mother, on the other hand…She was a witch, of course, as was her mother. As for my grandfather…well, I've never heard of him going to Hogwarts or any other magical school."
"So then why don't you just join the Death Eaters, if you think Pureblood ideology is so useful to you?"
"Seriously?" Blaise looked down condescendingly at Draco, "What's practical about joining an organization that has the entire Ministry and Dumbledore against them? I don't fancy myself a stint in Azkaban. Or risking my life for that matter."
"I think I liked you better when I at least thought you were sincere in your beliefs," said Draco coldly.
"Well I, unlike you, actually don't care what you think," Blaise replied. They both stood in silence, one indifferent, one supremely uncomfortable.
"Now, regarding the Mudblood," Blaise said, breaking through Draco's stormy thoughts.
"Don't use that word," Draco interrupted.
"Whatever. I'm telling you this as your friend. Do whatever you want, but fair warning, the consequences won't be pretty." With that, Blaise began to walk back towards the Slytherin dormitories. Draco followed in silence, his mind full.
--
"So," said Ginny, putting down her copy of The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 5. "Are you going to tell me what's been eating you these past few days or what?
Hermione looked up to see the pretty redhead studying her with concern. She tried to rearrange her face to appear carelessly cheerful.
"What do you mean?" She asked innocently.
"Save it," Ginny cut her off. "One week ago, you were on top of the world. But this week You've been depressed and touchy." Her brown eyes widened, "You haven't had another date with McLaggen, have you?"
Hermione scowled. "Is no one going to let me live that down?"
"Nope," Ginny laughed. "Well, if it's not McLaggen, who is it?"
"Nothing! You're imagining things."
Ginny let out an exasperated sigh.
"Luna, help me out here," Ginny said, turning to the blonde sitting to her right. Luna had set aside her own textbook and had her face hidden behind the latest edition of the Quibbler. Upon hearing her name, her large protuberance eyes appeared over the top of the book.
"Well," said Luna thoughtfully, "You do seem a little unhappy, Hermione."
"Fine!" Hissed Hermione, "But, I don't want to talk about it...I can't right now." Her eyes threatened to well up with tears.
"Hermione," Ginny patted her shoulder sympathetically. "I'm sorry."
Hermione sighed and shook her head. How could she admit to her friends that she, Hermione Granger, had made such an error in judgment? That she became so carried away by a pretty face and teenage hormones that she lost sight of the big picture.
"Whatever it is," Ginny continued, "We're here to help support you. Whatever it is that happened, I'm sure it's not the end of the world. You and your mystery man can make up."
Hermione sighed again, and looked back and forth between Ginny's and Luna's concerned faces. Ginny was right. There was something she could do to make things up.
"Thank you, girls, really." She said weakly. She hesitated. "Maybe there is something you two can help me with,"
"Finally!"
"But you have to promise me you won't ask me any questions." Hermione finished, "Do you think you'd be ok with that?"
"Well I'm intrigued," said Ginny, "Ok fine. You have a deal."
"I'd be happy to help, too!" said Luna enthusiastically.
"Thank you, girls," said Hermione appreciatively. She had to admit, it was nice to have some support, even if she couldn't be completely candid with her friends.
"Ok," she leaned in, and the girls put their heads together, "Here's what I need you to do…"
--
"Where is she?" Hermione muttered, peering gingerly around the large doors of the Great Hall. It was almost the end of dinnertime, and neither Luna nor Ginny had arrived as previously arranged.
"Hermione!" a voice hissed, coming from a hallway near the kitchens. Ginny and Luna were hurrying towards her.
"Sorry we're late," Ginny said, panting, "I only just got the box from Fred and George." She held up a colorful pink box with a cartoon pig that was transforming into a strange looking beast. "Prank pigs! It's their latest product. There are 3 magical piglets in each box. Not live ones, of course. But any time someone tries to lasso it, or even feed it, they begin to transform into this." She pointed at the second picture on the box.
"Is that safe," asked Hermione apprehensively, eying the creature.
"Probably," shrugged Ginny, "The best part is, the piglets are labeled 1, 2, and 4. Once they manage to catch these, they'll spend all evening looking for number 3!" She chortled.
"I must admit, that is clever," said Hermione, secretly very impressed. "OK. Well, if we're going to do this, we have to hurry. Ginny, go ahead with the piglets. Luna, you know what to do."
"I'll make sure the side hallway remains clear for you," chirped Luna.
"Right, well…shall we?" Hermione said nervously. The two younger girls nodded and they separated. Once again alone in the hallway, she pulled out her wand and a small hand mirror. She pointed her wand at her hair, which instantly became short, straight and dark blonde. She then pointed her wand at her face, Her nose widened and became rounded at the tip, her full lips became lighter and thinner, and her eyes became smaller and changed from dark brown to green. She looked at the final result in the mirror. While anyone very familiar with Hermione's face might be able to recognize her, she was hoping that an unsuspecting viewer wouldn't know who she was. Finally, she exchanged her red and gold tie for a silver and green one.
Right on time, Hermione heard a loud bang and squealing coming from an adjacent hallway. She then heard Ginny, who had snuck into the Great Hall after planting her trap, shout, "WHAT is THAT?"
Immediately, a large crowd of people tumbled out of the Great Hall, shouting and following the source of the commotion. Hermione scanned the crowd for her target in vain. When the crowd coming out of the Hall had thinned, she ducked into the great hall and smiled triumphantly. Even wild piglets couldn't drag Crabbe and Goyle from their dinner, it seemed. Putting on her most pleasant smile and rolling up the waist of her skirt, she approached the table.
"Hey boys," said Hermione in a sweet, breathy voice, standing between them, "Having a good time?"
Goyle grunted without looking up, but Crabbe turned, and found himself eye level with Hermione's ample chest. He put down the drumstick he was tearing into and said, "Hey."
"I'm Annabelle," Hermione continued, trying not to retch at Crabbe's lustful expression. "One of the fourth year Slytherins." She leaned forward, thrusting out her chest further. "I just wanted to introduce myself. I've admired you two for a long time, you know."
"Yeah?" Said Crabbe in his dull voice, unable to come up with a more clever response. Goyle, sensing something was happening next to him, finally looked up. Seeing Hermione, with the top few buttons of her blouse undone, he leered, his meal finally forgotten.
"You boys look thirsty," Hermione continued, "Shall I pour you a drink?" Without waiting for a response, she reached over the table for the nearest jug of pumpkin juice. From inside her sleeve, she extracted the tiny bottle of Veritaserum she had obtained a couple of weeks earlier and tipped it into the jug.
"Thanks, Harry, for the idea of spiking their drinks," she thought to herself. She then emptied the contents of the jug into two goblets and handed one of each to Malfoy's lackeys. They accepted the glasses and drank greedily. Hermione rolled her eyes. Some things never changed.
She held her breath as she waited, and just as she was concerned that she had stolen the wrong potion, both of their faces slackened. Hermione didn't think that Crabbe and Goyle could appear stupider, but they sat, expressionless, waiting for her to begin.
"How about the three of us go somewhere more private?" She whispered. The boys nodded eagerly and followed her out of the Great Hall which was now empty, thanks to Ginny, and into one of the adjoining rooms.
Closing the door behind her, she dropped the breathy voice. "Have a seat," she ordered sternly. Crabbe and Goyle sat obediently.
"Let's get straight to the point, shall we?" Hermione said in a brisk voice. "Is Draco Malfoy a Death Eater?"
"Yes," said Crabbe, "Got the Dark Mark, don't he?"
"How long has he been a Death Eater?"
"Just since the Summer, far as we know," Goyle grunted.
"Was he responsible for the attack on Katie Bell?"
"Yes," Goyle responded. Hermione's insides burned with anger. "But it was an accident. She wasn't the target of the attack."
"Who was the target?"
"Dunno," said Crabbe dully, "Won't tell us, will he? We don't even know how he did it."
"What's he planning next?"
"Dunno," said Crabbe again, "All we know is he's been doing it in the Room of Requirement. We are to stand guard outside."
"Stand guard? Has no one ever noticed,"
"Suppose not," said Goyle, "We've been taking Polyjuice Potion, haven't we? Stole the hair of a bunch of first year girls."
Hermione's mouth dropped open. How many times had she been on the seventh floor hallway and seen a small, timid first year girl holding a jar of toad spawn or a pair of scales. That must be how they warned him someone was outside, by dropping whatever object they were holding and making enough noise to alert the person inside.
Hermione glanced at her watch. She likely only had a few minutes left until the effects of the potion wore off.
"When was the last time he was in there?"
"A few weeks. Not since the first week back from winter holidays."
"Why?"
"Not sure. All he's told us is that he doesn't want to go through with the plan anymore. Maybe he has something else planned?" Crabbe said. As an appalled Hermione considered this, she saw Crabbe and Goyle's expressions slowly change and they began to look around, confused.
"Well boys," she said quickly, "This has been a real delight, but I have to get going," Before they had a chance to figure out where they were or what was going on, she dashed out of the room.
She quickly restored her appearance. Looking back at the room where Crabbe and Goyle were no doubt still sitting dazed and awaiting instructions, she shuddered.
"No amount of showering will rid me of that experience."
"Well?" Ginny and Luna appeared around the corner. "Did you get what you came for?"
"I did!"
"And are you going to tell us what this is about?" Ginny demanded.
"Not…not just yet. But soon, I promise."
"Believe me, I'll be holding you to that." Ginny insisted.
—————————————————————————————————————
Draco glanced at his watch for what seemed like the seventh time since arriving in Classroom 118. He frowned.
"8:30? She's never late. What's her deal?" Her absence was perturbing. Even after all the terrible fights they'd had in the past, she had always shown up for their tutoring sessions. He wasn't sure whether to be annoyed or concerned.
"That's it," said, standing up and grabbing his bag, and striding out of the room. Knowing Hermione, he headed straight for the library, becoming increasingly frustrated with the situation. He pushed open the large wooden doors of the library aggressively. Mrs. Pince, who was at the front desk, glared at him and said, "Shhhh!" loudly.
He strode through the aisles until he came to a small collection of tables in the back. Seated at the furthest table was Hermione, with the strange Lovegood girl and the Weasley girl. At least, he was relieved to see, Potter and Weasel King were not around. This was going to be hard enough as it is.
He strode over to the table. Hearing footsteps, Luna looked up to see Draco approaching their table and stared. Ginny, seeing Luna staring, also looked up, and looked wary, her hand immediately reaching into her pocket where her wand was stored. Only Hermione, engrossed in her paper, was unaware of the change in atmosphere. Draco ignored the other two girls, took a deep breath, stood up straight, puffed out his chest, and said,
"Granger!" His voice was higher than he had intended.
"Hmm?" Hermione didn't look up and continued to write. Then, registering the owner of the voice, her quill stopped short.
"What are you doing here, Malfoy?" She said stiffly.
Draco glanced apprehensively at Hermione's two companions, who were both staring him down.
"Can we talk?" He asked in a low voice.
"What could you possibly have to say to her, Malfoy?" Ginny said distrustfully.
Malfoy did not reply and kept his eyes on Hermione.
Hermione looked uncomfortable and said, "I don't have time for this, Malfoy,"
"Please?" he asked, looking at her imploringly
Hermione looked sideways at Ginny and Luna, who continued to look between Hermione and Draco, the former still suspicious, the latter mildly intrigued. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a table of Fourth Year Ravenclaws watching the exchange and whispering to themselves.
"Fine," she hissed, standing up quickly. Luna now looked surprised, and Ginny now looked alarmed.
"Hermione," she whispered, placing a hand on the girl's arm. "What's going on? Is everything OK?"
She smiled weakly at Ginny and said, "Yes, don't worry," Ginny continued to look concerned but dropped her hand. Without looking at Malfoy, Hermione marched quickly out of the library. Draco followed behind her. She continued until she came to an empty classroom and strode in, grabbing Draco's arm and pulling him in with her.
She slammed the door, rounded on Draco, and shouted, "What the hell is your problem?"
"My problem?" said Draco, taken aback, "You didn't show up for our session this evening and I was worried something might have happened."
"You were worried something might have happened," Hermione responded, her voice icy. "That's rich, coming from you."
Draco opened his mouth to retort, but, forcing himself to take a deep breath, he softened his expression and said, "Look, I get it. I'm sorry about what a jerk Blaise was to you. I should have told him off."
"You really think I give a shit what a bigot like Blaise thinks?" Hermione scoffed.
Draco frowned, puzzled, "Then what, in the name of Merlin's soggy Y front, going on?"
Hermione looked away, her expression cold. "It doesn't matter. Now that we've established that I'm well there's nothing left for us to discuss."
"So that's how it's going to be?" Draco asked angrily.
"Do you remember our deal?" Hermione said, "When we've had enough, we walk away, no questions asked." She turned towards the door.
"This is ridiculous!" Draco let out a frustrated sigh. "Fine! Walk away! Even though we both know that's not what you really want."
"How dare you assume you know me!" Hermione rounded on him, her voice high.
"I wouldn't have to assume anything if you'd actually talk to me!" Draco retorted.
"Why would you want to talk to someone that 'means nothing?'" Hermione screamed, her eyes filled with tears.
Draco flinched. "Is that what this is about? You know I had to say that in front of Blaise! No one is supposed to know about us. That was also your idea, remember?"
Hermione turned away and surreptitiously wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her robe.
"You could have fooled me."
"You know, you're being a real hypocrite right now. If the tables were turned, and it was your friends, would you have told them the truth?"
Hermione hesitated. "That's completely different."
"Why?"
"Because of this!" She turned, wrenched his left arm forward and exposed the skull tattoo on his arm. Draco was at once horrified, shocked, and confused.
"H-how-"
"Give me some credit." She responded coldly, "Word travels fast in this school. Plus, Crabbe and Goyle are remarkably stupid; I'm surprised even you were foolish enough to trust them.
"You hoodwinked Crabbe and Goyle?"
"Oh, don't start acting all high and mighty now! Would you have ever told me otherwise?"
Draco started pacing, hoping that the motion would serve as an outlet for his emotions.
"It's not like I wanted this!" He said, throwing his hands up. "You think I had a choice?"
"Oh, don't give me that 'poor little Death Eater' crap." Hermione spat back. "We all have a choice! While the rest of us are risking our necks to try to bring Voldemort down, you've been talking out of both sides of your face!"
"You have no idea!" He stopped and faced her, his expression strained. "You don't know what my family is like, the kind of environment I grew up in. They're not like your lot. I'm supposed to follow in my father's footsteps. Become a Death Eater. Marry a woman from another rich Pureblood family, have children and teach them how to hate everyone who isn't us. "This-" He pointed back and forth between the two of them- "was never part of the equation."
"Well I'm so sorry I interfered with your perfect life," Hermione shot back, her voice dripping with icy sarcasm, "Believe me, it won't happen again."
"Why are you being like this?" He asked, wringing his hands,
"ME?" Hermione's voice was shrill. "You tell me by being 'involved' with me, you're betraying your family and your entire life. What exactly am I supposed to say?"
"That's not what I meant! I'm just saying…I don't know, OK?" Draco was agitated.
"You keep saying that. So, I'm just supposed to wait around for you to figure it out? How pathetic do you think I am?"
"You know I've been trying," said Draco.
"You really think reading a few Muggle stories makes up for everything you've done?"
"Well at least you're being honest with me now," Draco said in a hard voice.
"I'm not the one with an honesty problem here," said Hermione, her voice dangerous. "As long as I've known you, you've been a petty bully, often targeting me personally because of nothing more than my background. And, true to form, you've joined a group whose main tenants are based around the murder and subjection of me and my family. Seeing you with Blaise brought me back to reality."
Draco was silent for a long while.
"You're right," he laughed humorlessly, "Be honest with me, will I ever be able to make up for who I was in your eyes, as long as I have this mark on me?"
"I shouldn't be the reason you don't want to be a Death Eater, Draco." Hermione said quietly. "And if you don't realize that, then we're even worse off than I thought."
She looked at him, a hint of sadness now mingled with her anger. "I know it was you."
"What was me?" Draco asked, confused.
"The attack on Katie. I had always suspected, but Crabbe and Goyle gave me the confirmation I needed."
Draco recoiled at the revelation. "I…" he struggled to find the words that could even begin to rebuild the damage that he had done, "I can't take back what I did, and I can't even begin to express how much I regret it. When I think about how I almost-" His voice broke, and his eyes filled with tears.
"And…maybe it doesn't mean anything to you, but I'm done. With all of it, with the Death Eaters. I don't want anything to do with them anymore."
"Really?" Hermione forced the emotion out of her voice, "Do they know that?"
Draco looked away, unable to face her. He was a coward, just as she had implied.
"You're right. That doesn't mean anything."
"What's it going to take to get you to believe me?" He asked desperately.
"That's not my problem," she responded, her tone detached, "I was asked to teach you about your lessons, not about how to demonstrate basic human decency."
Disappointment etched over her face, Hermione turned to go.
"Hermione," Draco started.
"I think I've heard enough. Goodbye, Malfoy." With that she fled from the room, closing the door quickly before breaking into a sob.