Life Renovations
Chapter Eight
Two Become One
Harry couldn't remember the last time he'd had so many surprises spring up around him, and today the shocks kept coming. He escaped the Order headquarters and away from Dumbledore. He even managed to get to Diagon Alley, no assassination attempts whatsoever. And all that without his handy Invisibility Cloak; surprising him further because Harry could swear he spotted known Death Eaters throughout the day. Most of them, he remembered, were inconspicuous, still in the closet, lower circle Death Eaters, but still Death Eaters just the same. The first time Harry crossed paths with a Death Eater was when he decided to go to Eeylops Owl Emporium to buy Hedwig some treats. As he walked up to the door, a Death Eater walked out. Both wizards froze, immediately recognizing the other as the enemy.
Harry's wand was immediately in his hand, Expelliarmus dripping past his lips. He hesitated at the last second when the man lifted his hand slowly to raise his hat. And before Harry could blink, the Death Eater ducked to the side and down an alley way. And that was all any of the Death Eaters did. They would only nod and be on their merry Death Eater way.
"What the blood fuck is going on here?" Harry finally yelled when he had enough Death Eater spotting. No one answered but he received some glares, a few anxious looks, and more than enough pity stares to make up for the silence.
It was then as he was crossing the road to Flourish and Blotts that he spotted Lucius Malfoy. At least he thought it was Draco's father. But the man Harry saw had simply nodded and turned away, gone in the blink of an eye. Harry didn't care who had done it previously, he refused to believe Lucius Malfoy would merely acknowledge him, Harry Potter, and then skip away without firing a single curse.
"Then it couldn't have been Lucius Malfoy I saw in Diagon Alley," he murmured sometime later as he leisurely made his way to the ice cream parlor. "Of course it wasn't. I don't have my glasses so it could have been anyone with blond hair. Yeah."
"No, Potter. You were right, that was me," Lucius Malfoy said from behind him. Harry spun around, his wand already drawn. Unfortunately Lucius was ready for that and easily took Harry's wand away. "There. Now we can be sure not to have any accidents while we have a chat. Shall we go?"
"I'm not going anywhere with you-" Lucius pulled Harry into a one armed hug and immediately Apparated before Harry had a chance to move away.
Harry wasn't scared. He wasn't even worried. And when they arrived in an Entrance Hall of some unknown place, he wasn't even nervous. Harry was furious.
"Where the hell are we? Why have you brought me here?" Lucius ignored him and walked away. "Hey!" Harry felt queer indeed, standing in the center of a strange brilliantly lit Entrance Hall.
He looked around and found a plaque on the wall describing the house as Snape Manor. Oh, perfect! Sighing, Harry followed the path Lucius took. There was really nothing else Harry could do, as Lucius still had his wand. As he quickly followed after Malfoy, he felt Lucius' son battering at the wall he constructed to keep him out. Strangely it was a comforting feeling, knowing Draco was still there, trying to get through his stubborn shields. But even so, his choice had been made. He would remain alone. It was for Draco's protection as much as it was for his.
Harry found Lucius in a study just off the main hall. The house elves must have been in earlier, as the large fireplace was brightly lit with a roaring fire. Personally, Harry thought it was too warm to need a fire.
"Here, Potter. A drink." The older wizard handed him a short glass with a liquid the color of dark amber. Harry took it but in no way planned to drink it.
"What are we doing here, Mr. Malfoy?" Harry watched the older wizard carefully. He didn't care that he was staring rather rudely, Lucius assumed.
"Mr. Potter, please have a seat and try to relax. I assure you, danger will not seek you here." Lucius gracefully lowered himself down into a large comfortable looking black leather sofa, and Harry would have taken the seat under normal circumstances.
"Do you think I'm daft? Of course I'm in danger! I'm always in mortal peril! Ask Trelawney. And if you're here, Mr. Malfoy, Voldemort is not too far behind."
"I give my word as a Malfoy." Lucius raised a hand when Harry quickly opened his mouth. "However, for whatever reason that will not work with you, I could always return your wand to you…" Harry's mouth snapped shut. "As long as you swear not to use it against me."
"I won't if you won't."
"Bargain struck, then." Lucius tossed Harry's wand back and Harry snatched it out of the air and began checking to make sure it wasn't counterfeit. When he found he was holding his own wand, a quick spell later told him the drink wasn't poisoned. It seemed Lucius wasn't planning on killing him that way then. Harry downed his drink before sitting down in a chair facing his kidnapper.
"Why am I here then?"
"I'm a messenger of sorts, I suppose." Lucius leaned back and crossed his legs.
"From your master?" Harry sneered. Lucius ignored his attitude and sipped his drink.
"No, I'm afraid he's far too busy to fit you into his plans." Harry snorted, though he paid attention to every word. "I've seen my son today. We had an interesting talk."
"What have you done with him?" Harry, in his usual hasty fashion, jumped up and pointed his wand at Lucius' face. "Tell me what you've done to Draco right now, or I will-"
"Calm down, Potter. Nothing has been done to my son. Do you honestly think I would hurt my own son?"
"He had to run from you, didn't he?" Harry spat.
"That was a ruse, Potter. I wanted to protect my son. From many. I had Severus secret him away so that he wouldn't be ordered to join the Death Eaters against his will. Draco has no desire to grovel at my Lord's feet."
Harry blinked, slowly processing that. "Where is he then?"
"Back with your Order, with that crackpot Dumbledore. Apparently the old fool had a last minute brainstorm and found use for Draco. He's had the opportunity to use Draco before now, knowing Draco was with Severus. I wonder why suddenly he wants to use my son when he hadn't before. Have you any idea, Potter?" Lucius was watching Harry's reaction carefully and as always was astounded by the emotions flying across the young wizards face. "You really should try and hide your emotions more, Potter. I intend to see that you get the proper training for a pureblood."
Harry fell back into his seat and gripped at his hair in frustration. He knew perfectly well why Dumbledore suddenly had an interest in Draco. It was the bond. Dumbledore had been there at Headquarters. Seen things… he would use Draco to trap him more.
"I have to go get him. We can't leave him for Dumbledore."
"Not playing the puppet anymore, I see. That's good." Yes, Lucius was pleased indeed. With Harry by his son's side, the Malfoy family would gain even more power and support. And as he'd told Draco, there was great potential inside of Potter.
"Do you have any idea where Draco is? Maybe you should contact Snape. He might know something." Am I really having this conversation with Lucius Malfoy?
"I know more than something." And there was Severus gliding in as if his world had not been thrown upside down. "I trust you were a suitable babysitter, Lucius?"
"Of course, Severus. And Potter has given me much to think about."
"Excuse me?" Harry rounded on his uncle. "Professor? You told Lucius, the number one Death Eater, to baby-sit me? Have you lost your mind?"
"I'll have you know," Severus said with a sniff of disdain, and accepted his drink from Lucius. "That I am the number one Death Eater. Lucius, you come a close second."
"I don't think so, old friend. The Dark Lord clearly considers me his right hand man…"
Harry stood with his arms crossed over his chest, looking down at Severus and Lucius as they bickered back and forth about who was the Number One Death Eater. Harry's mouth was understandably hanging wide open.
"Hello? Have you seriously forgotten about Draco? I can't believe you left him with Dumbledore, Professor!"
"Draco was supposed to go on his mission, but unfortunately for the Order, young Mr. Malfoy disappeared en route. Sad really." Severus smirked at his nephew. Harry started to chew his bottom lip. He wanted to know Draco was safe, but he didn't want to take the wall around his mind down in case Draco was waiting for that. "Sit down, Harry." Severus gently pushed Harry towards the chair, relieved when Harry did sit. Then he turned back to Lucius. "You'll want to make your way home now. I'm expecting," Severus scowled at Harry, "unwelcome visitors."
"Yes. I'm not quite ready for that." Lucius nodded at both Harry and Severus, and then quickly left the study.
Severus settled back and studied his scowling nephew. This morning, Severus planned to go to Grimmauld Place and discuss Lily and the journal with Harry, but the Dark Lord called him before he left Hogwarts. And now he could see how angry Harry had become because he hadn't come back in time. Did the boy actually believe he wouldn't want to pursue the relationship they should have always had? If he did, then Potter was an idiot, just like his father.
"Did you have fun today, Harry? All by yourself, with no protection?"
"Yes, thank you. It was quite refreshing." Severus' brows rose. Clearly Draco was rubbing off on Harry. "And enlightening. Did you know the Death Eaters have stopped coming after me?"
"Yes I did know. That is why I wasn't able to meet with you before now." Harry started to scowl again. "The Dark Lord called me to him. I had no choice but to go." It was a valid excuse, but Severus could see Harry wasn't ready to hear it. So they would discuss it another day. "Your belongings are being brought here as we speak, as is Miss Grangers and Draco's. You will not be staying here, as Dumbledore will have access to you here. For the time being the Leaky Cauldron will have to do."
"He could get to us there as well."
"Perhaps, but all he could do there is talk to you. It's too public a place for him to try anything."
"Try anything? This is Dumbledore we're talking about. What would he do?" Severus stared steadfast into his nephew's eyes.
"Are you ready for more truths, Harry?"
"I've been ready since I was one years old."
"Good. We'll talk more about this tonight after dinner. You should go find the Floo Room. You're friends will be arriving soon." Severus waved a hand towards the door, but was no longer looking at him.
"Fine. I'll go." He dragged his feet, but he did go looking for the Floo Room. Too bad Uncle Sevvy forgot to tell him where that was. Which meant Harry easily got lost, and he was sure nearly fifteen minutes had passed since he started his search. He wondered how Snape had managed to get such a grand Manor. He would have never found the Floo Room if he hadn't been passing it at the exact same time Sirius came hurtling out of it, running into Harry, causing both of them to go down in a tangle of limbs.
"Harry!" Part of the limb mound spoke.
"Hello Padfoot," answered the other part.
"Harry!" Fred and George came bounding out of the room and helped Harry and Sirius up.
"Thanks guys." He grinned at the twins and hugged each of them, truly happy to see them. "Sirius, you really should watch where you're going?"
"Look who's talking! What did you think you were doing leaving headquarters like that?"
"I just went for a walk…" Harry shrugged.
"Well you could have left a note for Draco at least. He went insane!"
"Draco's here?" Harry squinted into the Floo Room, and relaxed when he only saw Remus, Ginny, and Hermione brushing off their clothes and gathering Hermione's trunk and bags.
"Yes, he's here." Harry tensed, and was so terrified of seeing Draco, that he actually prepared to run away. "He arrived with Snape. Haven't you seen him yet?"
"No. I only saw Snape and Lucius Malfoy."
"Lucius Malfoy?" Fred leaned forward. "He still here?"
"What did the sexy Death Eater want?" George piped in, but Harry was only seeing Sirius, who suddenly looked like he wanted to run away now.
"He's gone. Apparently Voldemort wants nothing to do with me at the moment. I don't know, but I think I'm slightly offended by that."
"Seriously? Snape was telling the truth?"
"Yeah, I'll tell you about it at dinner." Harry then went into the Floo Room. "Hermione, Ginny, could you come here for a minute?" he asked as he went to stand in a corner. He wanted the wall to his back so that he could see if Draco came anywhere near him. He was not as oblivious as people thought he was. Harry knew that he wouldn't be able to resist Draco at all if he got within touching distance.
The two witches smiled tentatively and approached him. He smiled and reached out to grab both girls' hands. "How are you two?" he asked. Hermione stared at her friend in surprise. She remembered the last time she'd seen his eyes so clear and bright. It was the end of their third year, which seemed so long ago now. She couldn't help but cry and throw her arms around him.
"Oh Harry! I'm fine. How are you? I missed you so much!"
Harry smiled into his friend's hair, "I'm loads better now." Someone cleared a throat, and Harry opened his other arm. Ginny nearly tackled them to the ground with her happy dramatics when she flew into the hug.
"Oh, hey Draco!" Fred yelled from the hallway. Harry pulled away from his friends so fast that they did tumble to the floor.
"Harry, what's wrong?" Hermione asked from lying on her back.
"Harry's in the Floo Room," George said helpfully. Then Harry heard him whisper dramatically to Fred, "Ooh! He looks fit to kill."
"Harry? What's gotten into you?" Ginny pulled herself up on her knees and planted her fists at her hip; even while on her knees, Ginny Weasley was imposing.
But Harry wasn't listening and was already looking for a way to escape, and he thanked all the gods in the universe when he spotted a door in the opposite corner. It was inconspicuous, painted just like the wall and you wouldn't know it was there unless you stopped and looked at the spot for a minute. Harry dashed over and pushed it open and as he did he glimpsed Draco over his shoulder just before he shut the door again and disappeared into the darkness.
Draco came to a halt right outside of the Floo Room and looked in. "I thought you said Harry was in there? I don't see him."
"What do you mean? Harry's right th…ere…" Fred trailed off when he saw he was pointing at an empty corner, with Hermione and Ginny kneeling on the floor. Harry was nowhere to be seen. "Oi, sis! Where'd Harry go?"
"He ran that way, through that door," Ginny muttered, pointing at the semi-hidden door.
"I don't think he wants to see you, Draco," Hermione said gently after picking herself up.
"I don't really give a flying fuck what he wants right now!" Draco ignored the rest of them and flew through the door into a large dark antechamber. A candle was burning on the other side of the room, lighting a narrow passage across the way. Draco quickly scanned the room before running through the door on the other side. He momentarily realized that he was able to see quite well in the dark.
The door led him out into a well-lit hallway and Draco caught sight of Harry out of the corner of his eye. "Harry! Stop!" Of course Harry didn't listen and Draco cursed his soul mate as he took chase after him.
They flew down hallways, past numerous rooms and corridors and Draco's anger was reaching its pentacle. Finally he was just passing a corridor when Harry rounded the corner up ahead, and since Draco was more familiar with Snape Manor, he knew exactly where that hallway would lead Harry, and the corridor he was standing at would get him there in half the time. With a smirk, Draco turned down the corridor, and jogged at a leisurely pace. He would lay in wait for his prey.
Harry slowed to a stop and bent over in front of two large black doors ornamentally covered with large brass leaves; trying to breathe in as much air as possible. What he needed was somewhere to sit and rest and to think of what to do, and how to deal with Draco. He reached a hand out to brace on the doorknob and literally fell past the door as it swung open.
"Dammit…" he mumbled and looked up to see where he was. "Snape has a library huh?" Harry dusted himself off and headed to the darkest corner in the back of the library, and found exactly what he was looking for. A lone chair, which surprisingly had bright red cushions, and completely covered by shadows, was sitting out of sight with a nice little view of the library doors. Harry walked past the last of the bookshelves and stood just in front of the chair and looked at it.
"I know what you're thinking. You're asking yourself why you've become such a coward." Draco's voice touched him like silk, and it made the hairs at the back of Harry's neck stand on end.
"Actually I was thinking this chair doesn't belong in Severus Snape's house."
Harry turned around. Draco wasn't standing as near as he'd expected and in a last bout of insanity, Harry belted; jumping over a small table to his left and taking off along the wall. He saw a spot where he could cut across back to the front doors, but just as he was going to turn, Draco tackled him from behind.
"What is wrong with you, Potter?" Draco hissed as he grabbed the back of Harry's collar and stood up, pulling the idiot Gryffindor with him. He then slammed Harry back up against the nearest wall.
They were both breathing hard and rumpled from the exertion. Harry had never seen Draco look more gorgeous than he was looking right that moment. His normally pale face was flushed, and his furious eyes were blazing silver, capturing Harry in a mental cage where there was no escape, and Harry found himself not caring because Draco's hair was sexy out of place, strands falling over his eyes down to his jaw, some sticking out all over the place. And his lips were wet and parted, and Harry just wanted to….
No! I can't do this!
"What?" Draco yelled. "What can't you do, Harry? Tell me why I had to chase your arse all over the place. Explain why you've been keeping me out of your mind!" He pushed Harry back again with some force while the hurt he was feeling flashed into his eyes, stunning Harry. "I'd like to know why you don't think you can have anything to do with me."
Harry was shaking his head. He didn't want to hurt Draco, but he had no other choice. "I can't deal with this right now, Draco! We can't continue the bond or connection, or whatever it is that's wrong with us."
"And why are you telling me this? Did you forget I could feel your mind and soul? I know you want this… don't you understand what's going on between us? Don't you understand what it means?"
"I can't do it! Not right now, okay? I have to concentrate on Voldemort, one way or another, and I can't handle the added pressure. I can't be directly responsible for another person I care about. Getting close to anyone would be a mistake, for me and for them."
Harry's eyes begged Draco to understand, but the Slytherin's anger only increased. He took another step forward till they were only a breath apart with the heat swelling around their bodies. "Get over yourself, Potter," he hissed, the frightening familiar sneer spreading across his face. "You honestly think you're the only one with problems? You're so full of yourself you think you are the only one to have people relying on you-"
"What the hell do you know about it?" Harry eagerly accepted this change in dynamics between them. It was old, familiar, and easy to navigate around. Draco would get so angry he'd leave on his own, and he wouldn't want to be anywhere near Harry again. It would hurt a lot less if they hated each other again. "Since when do you care about helping anyone but yourself, huh? What did Dumbledore have to promise in order for you to be here?"
Draco sucked in an enraged breath and his eyes flashed in fury. "Fucking bastard! Do you honestly think I would go to someone like Dumbledore? I'm here because of you, you fucked up Gryffindor!"
The following moments were spent in absolute silence; neither of them knew what to say to that. Draco's anger was suddenly spent in the wake of his words. He was appalled with himself. That had been too close to a declaration for his liking. He wasn't really quite ready for that.
Draco tried to calm himself so that he could think calmly, like Malfoys were supposed to, and that's when he realized Harry was covering something up. Draco pinned Harry with a hard stare and concentrated all his attention on what Harry was feeling. They were so close he was able to get passed Harry's mental wall. He immediately relaxed when he found what he was looking for.
Harry was trying to move to the side and go around, but Draco slammed his hand into the wall beside Harry's head, startling the Gryffindor. He quite liked the squeak leaving Harry's mouth then. "You're afraid," Draco said softly.
"W-what?" Harry's voice was a hoarse whisper.
"I never counted you for a coward."
Harry bristled with anger. "Don't you fucking talk like you know me! You don't! No one does! I don't even know myself. How the hell can you expect me to drag you down along side me? I don't want you hurt, Draco! I can't let myself be hurt…" Harry turned his head away to keep Draco from seeing the tears. He'd been doing that a lot lately, crying. "I can't get more involved. I know that sounds completely selfish of me, but I may not survive being alone if you left for some reason…"
"Harry, look at me." When Harry's eyes focused on him he smiled. "I know people you love and trust have let you down a lot. I understand why you wouldn't want to go through that again, to be afraid to get close again. But you don't have to worry about that with me. I'm not going anywhere without you, I swear it. We'll go slow if that's what it will take to keep you from running from us. And there is an us, Harry." He raised a hand to caress Harry's jaw and smiled when Harry immediately relaxed. "Do you believe me?"
Merlin, Harry thought, how could I do anything else? "You are not being fair… Yes, as strange as that is-" he broke off in a gasp when Draco shifted closer, bringing their bodies flush against each other.
"Will you be with me?"
"W-what?" his green eyes were clouded with lust and he thrust his hips forward so their erections rubbed together again.
Draco laughed softly. "I thought you wanted to go slow."
Harry started shaking his head. "I never said anything about going slow."
Pleased by his response, Draco nuzzled the side of Harry's face, and then allowed his lips to follow his fingers across Harry's jaw and down to the hollow of his neck. Harry moaned again and let his head fall back against the wall.
"No, Harry. I want your eyes open and looking at me when you answer," Draco commanded.
Harry slowly opened his eyes and tried blinking the clouds of lust away. "What did you ask?"
"Will you be with me, Harry? It really doesn't matter because if you say no, I'll just change your mind. I was only being polite by asking first. I have no wish to go chasing after you again."
"Merlin, Draco. Doesn't anyone ever tell you no?"
"You're the only one with the audacity who has."
Harry's eyes had cleared by now, and Draco was staring intently into them. They were the most brilliant shade of green Draco had ever seen. He was lost in Harry's expressive eyes; floating lazily along, content to bask in his gaze. Harry must have felt exactly what Draco was feeling and thinking because his eyes suddenly brightened further and Harry was the one to shift and touch Draco next. He lifted his hand, brushing his fingers lightly over Draco's shoulder to rest at his neck just over the pulse point. His eyes dilated further when he felt the blood pumping underneath his touch.
"If you kiss me maybe I'll say yes," Harry whispered shyly, staring at Draco's chin. His eyes then flicked up to Draco while his cheeks darkened underneath Draco's stare. The Slytherin grinned, drawing a slow pleased smile from Harry in reaction. Harry began to finger the back of Draco's neck, playing with the strands of white blond hair. Draco's hair was softer than he imagined. When the blond made no other movement, Harry gripped the back of Draco's neck and pulled Draco's face closer to kiss him.
Draco, for a short moment, stiffened in shock. He hadn't expected Harry to make the first move, the stupid Gryffindor! He soon relaxed, pressing their lips together and they both sighed at the first contact. Immediately following that, Draco took advantage of Harry's parted lips and opened his to explore, to dominate. When Harry eagerly accepted Draco, they were both instantly lost; Taken over by some primal need to be closer, to touch and be touched, to feel the heat from self made friction, and the pleasure they could make with each other.
After a time, Harry pulled his head away with a gasp, in need of air. "Why have we never done this before?" he managed to ask just before Draco moved to his neck, wrapping an arm around Harry's back, bringing the brunet closer to him.
Harry clung to Draco; never having felt so needed before, so hot, and thinking it didn't matter why they had never snogged senselessly before. They were doing it now and if there was a god out there who loved him, Harry wouldn't have to stop touching and kissing Draco any time soon.
Then Draco's lips were on his again and his hands were on his hips, sliding down to grip his thighs. Harry shifted to wrap his legs around Draco's waist and they gasped simultaneously at the contact.
At the library door, five people stood watching the scene they'd met when investigating the open door. Ginny and Hermione arrived first and stood stone still watching as Harry and Draco devoured and touched each other as if they were obsessed. It was difficult to not be affected by the sheer power of lust and desire radiating from the young wizards' every movement.
"Ginny…" Hermione whispered in soft awe.
"Yeah, I know. Hot."
"Never took you for a voyeur, Hermione."
Hermione shrieked and jumped two feet in the air. "Sirius! You scared me."
"Blast! They've stopped!" Ginny cried. She spun around to glare at Sirius, the one responsible for interrupting Harry and Draco's love fest. "Besides, if Mione's a voyeur, than so is everyone else. The three of you have been here for at least five minutes without saying anything."
"I had no problem watching. Draco and Harry looked very happy wrapped up in each other. You don't often see either of them that happy, after all."
"Sure, Moony, whatever. I was watching because it was turning me on," Sirius confessed, and grinned unapologetically.
"Excuse me?" Draco yelled, pissed off that the moment was ruined and Harry was now trying to hide in the corner behind him. Draco could feel the heat of Harry's blush on his back where Harry's cheek was pressed against it. It was a good feeling knowing Harry was looking for protection from him in any way. It was also cute, Harry huddling behind him, fingers gripping on to the back of his robe.
"I was simply curious as to how far they would try to go right here in the middle of my library," Severus put in.
"I would appreciate it if you could all leave!" Draco commanded, not at all pleased that he was being ignored.
"No, Draco. It's fine. I'm going to go lay down, okay?"
Draco hesitated before nodding; knowing Harry still needed a lot of bed rest. "Don't forget to take the nutrient potions before you go to sleep."
Harry nodded, and before he could be stopped by anyone else, a red-faced Harry Potter bolted from the library, shaking his head when Sirius and Ginny leered at him as he passed. Draco huffed and threw himself into the closest chair. Moments later he started to glare at nothing in particular.
"Aren't you going to go after him?" Draco turned and glared at Remus, who stared back curiously.
"No. Harry's embarrassed. He wants to be alone right now and he really does need to sleep." And the glaring continued.
"Well…Wow, Draco! I would pay good money I don't have to see what you two were just doing again. Care to set a time and date?" Ginny asked, excitedly taking a seat next to him. Draco barely cracked a smile at her, though he did find it funny. And perhaps it was something to look into. He and Harry had plenty of money, but it couldn't hurt to have more. And making it would be fun…hmm?
No!
At least think about it?
No, Draco! The glare turned into a manly pout.
"Ginny!"
"Oh stop pretending to be scandalized, Mione. You forget I know all your dirty little fantasies." Ginny leered at her friend.
"Shut your mouth right now, Ginevra Weasley!" Hermione glared from where she sat on the rug in front of the fire. She was relieved to see Severus, Sirius, and Remus had removed themselves to another part of the library and were not within hearing distance.
"Whoa, Granger," and Draco said this in friendly amusement, his pouting forgotten again. "Must be some kinky fantasies." Draco knew he wouldn't get anything out of Hermione, so he turned to Ginny for examples.
"Yes, especially one involving a certain Potions Ma-" Ginny's eyes widened in shock when she realized she had just been cursed with the silencing spell. Draco leaned forward in rapidly growing glee.
"Hermione! You want Severus? Oh, Merlin!" he exclaimed when she blushed. "You want Severus Snape! Brilliant! This ought to pull Harry out of his cocoon of embarrassment."
If Draco didn't look so happy, Hermione would have cursed him. And there would have been blood loss. "Malfoy," she started slowly, rising to her feet and advancing upon him like a stalking cat. "If you so much as utter a word to Harry, or anyone else for that matter, I swear I
will chop off your hair and-" Draco jumped up and away just as a shriek of horror echoed throughout half the manor.
"Oops. Too late," Ginny laughed after Draco had been so kind to Finite the spell. She needn't have bothered saying anything. They knew the yell they heard came from Harry.
"Malfoy! You bastard!"
"Sorry Granger. I'd like to stay and have that chat with you about the Draught of Peace—you should have some, by the way—but I really must be going!" He was heading out the door before he'd even finished speaking.
With one victim gone, Hermione turned to the second victim, only to find Ginny had scrammed as well. "Bye Hermione! I love you!" Ginny waved and disappeared into the hallway.