Chapter 2:
When the sixth years entered Arithmancy on Wednesday, they were surprised to find a stack of books on Professor Granger's desk as well as a blank board, which was rare as there was always something written on it. Professor Granger, herself, was leaning against her desk, smiling to herself. After two sleepless nights, a lot of coffee and more Pepperup Potion than was probably wise, she finally managed to find a way to make Arithmancy apply to everyday life. She hated to admit it, but Malfoy had been a big help. Depending on how class went today, she would either be thanking him or smacking him. She hoped, for his sake, it would be the former.
Speak of the devil, just as the last of her class filed in, she noticed that Draco slipped in right before the door closed. He picked a seat in the back of the class away from everyone else and smirked when he made eye contact with her. She raised an eyebrow but left it alone for the time being, choosing instead to start her class.
"On Monday, Alex pointed something out to me that, at the time, I didn't have an answer to," she began. Alex Pierce shifted uncomfortably in his seat but she smiled at him, reassuringly. "I am happy to say that, now, I do have an answer."
She walked behind her desk and took a book off of the pile. "When asked how Arithmancy would apply to your lives in the future, the only answer I initially thought of was that you would use it in your careers. But not all of you will be going into a career where Arithmancy is used… except you will. It just won't be as obvious to you as it is now."
She flipped through the book and stopped on a page, then smiled to herself before looking back to her class. "Tell me, in Quidditch, there is a move called the Doppler Beater Defense. In order to properly execute that play, what do you need to do?"
Victoria Lewis, a sixth year Slytherin, raised her hand. Hermione nodded her head to her. "You need to time the play right with your fellow Beater, along with hitting it with the same force in order to get the desired effect."
"Exactly," Hermione said, closing the book and placing it back on her desk. "When you're training, how do you keep track of where you're supposed to move in order to help your teammates? Alex?"
Alex cleared his throat. "We're supposed to always know where every single person on our team is while focusing on our opponent. If we lose track of our teammates, we need to relocate them as quick as possible while keeping the opponent at bay."
"What would you call that?" Hermione asked, smiling.
"Strategizing," Alex said, his brows furrowing.
Hermione nodded then looked to another student. "If you were playing Quidditch, but couldn't see the scoreboard due to… we'll say bad weather, how would you know what the score would be?"
The student paused and thought. "You'd have to pay close attention to the announcer and keep track of the score in your head."
Hermione nodded and leaned against her desk. "Now, what's something that's in common with all of those questions I just asked you, and don't say Quidditch."
The class was silent as they contemplated her question. She glanced at Draco who raised an eyebrow as the class looked amongst one another for help and he rolled his eyes. Hermione looked around at her students and smiled as Alex raised his hand. "Yes, Alex?"
"Er, Arithmancy?" He guessed.
Hermione snapped her fingers and grinned. "Bingo; well done, Alex. Ten points to Ravenclaw." She waved her hand and the word Quidditch appeared on the board. "We have just proved how Arithmancy can be used in Quidditch. Can anyone give me another example where Arithmancy would be used?"
Victoria raised her hand. "Potions?"
Hermione nodded and Potions appeared on the board and Hermione awarded ten points to Slytherin. Herbology, Astronomy, Ancient Runes, and even Transfiguration were all added to the board and the class began sharing different ideas of how they would use Arithmancy in all of those particular subjects.
Hermione was smiling as her idea was working. "You're all correct in your ideas. Each of these subjects uses Arithmancy in some shape or form. But you're forgetting one of the most important ones. Anyone know which one it is?"
The class was silent so she answered for them. "Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"How?" One student asked.
Hermione smirked. "Professor Malfoy, would you care to enlighten the class?"
"Certainly," he said, standing up from his spot in the back of the class. He stood in front of the door and smirked at Hermione. "Expelliarmus!" He said, instantly pulling his wand out and aiming at Hermione.
Fortunately, Hermione was quick and threw up a shield charm just in time, causing the spell to bounce off and hit a nearby wall. Hermione lowered her arm and sent an exasperated expression his way. "That was not what I meant," she said.
"But it was still educational," he smirked, walking towards the front of the class. "You see, kids, while Defense is primarily about being prepared for anything, there are moments when careful calculations can save your life… or take someone else's. When using Defense techniques, you must remember that timing is everything, just like Quidditch. Mr. Pierce mentioned earlier that when training for Quidditch matches, the team will strategize their plays in hopes of winning the game; the same rule applies to Defense. If any of you go into the Aurors, you'll see that no one ever runs right into action; they plan their every move and ensure that every and any possibility has been covered before even thinking about going after a criminal. In short, strategizing, which we've already established requires Arithmancy, could potentially save your life."
The bell rang and, for the first time, the students didn't want class to end. Draco looked down at Hermione and smirked while she gave out the homework assignment to her students. "I'd like you to write down a minimum of ten things that you think you use Arithmancy for in your everyday life. When we next meet, we will discuss whether or not Arithmancy can be used for each thing on your list. Have a good rest of your day, everyone!"
The class packed up and left the room, chatting about the lesson they had just had. When the two professors were the only people left, Hermione looked to Draco. "I suppose I ought to thank you."
He raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? For what, exactly?"
"Giving me the idea of using muggle mathematics and combining it with Arithmancy. Today's lesson would have been a lot more boring had you not suggested that."
He smirked. "Well, I'm glad I could be of service." She began to clean up her desk when Draco put his hand on top of hers. "What are you doing tonight?"
Her heart nearly stopped when she looked up and saw how close he was standing. Had his eyes always had hints of silver in them? "Er, I was just going to grade some papers and maybe do some more research on combining muggle math with Arithmancy. W-why do you ask?"
"Have dinner with me," he said, his voice quiet but confident. She nearly melted at the sound of it but managed to find her voice and her brain before doing so.
"O-on a school night?" She said, not nearly as confident as she'd wanted. She wasn't even sure why that was the thing that came out but it was too late to take it back now.
Draco chuckled. "Scared you'll get caught being out past curfew?"
She swallowed and shook her head. "No, no, not at all." She took a deep breath to steady her rapid heartbeat she was sure he could hear. "Dinner sounds great."
He smiled and her heart sped up even more! "Great," he said. "Three Broomsticks at seven?"
She nodded. "See you at seven."
He brushed a curl behind her ear before stepping back and walked towards the door. He was halfway out of the classroom when she found her voice and confidence. "Hey Malfoy!" He turned around and looked at her curiously. "The next time you throw a hex at me, you'll be waking up in St. Mungo's!"
He laughed and nodded in understanding before walking out of the room, leaving a breathless Hermione behind.
You know the drill...
