Disclaimer: I do not own the characters mentioned in this fanfiction. It's all in good fun, with no profit being made.

Girl with Graceful Charm

Between his harassment on her way home from school two days ago, and seeing him today on her lunch break, Hermione couldn't decide which she would rather deal with. Scabior was a creep, with his leers and strange... Hermione hesitated to use the word "obsession", because if she did, it would make it all the more real. She was absolutely sure that he hadn't followed her home yet - no doubt he would have tried to introduce himself to her parents - but it was only a matter of time. At least, if things were going the way she thought they were. He had said that he hadn't been following her, that day in the park, but Hermione didn't trust him. And then today... Harry, Ron and herself had left the school during lunch, they were Seniors and thus were allowed to go off campus and had stopped in the local Mom n' Pop diner for burgers.

Hermione hadn't thought anything of it, after all, the boys wanted to come in at least twice a week... And then she had noticed someone watching them from a booth as they ordered their food to go. Curious, Hermione had tucked her hair behind her ear and turned - to meet Scabior's dark blue eyes. The bruising from his broken nose was all but gone, though it looked like he was wearing - was it eyeliner? Eyeshadow? Hermione had been momentarily surprised and hadn't glared at him straight-away. That had been her first mistake. A saucy smirk bloomed on his lips, one of his eyebrows raising in what many women would believe a charming manner. Hermione would have wanted the satisfaction of slapping the look off of his face, but she had seen the anger in his eyes when last he had been slapped. That look in his eyes had been almost beyond frightening. Instead, Hermione had whirled back to Ron and Harry, hands clenched into fists at her sides, ignoring him. That had been her second mistake.

She had hoped that Scabior would let her be, that he wouldn't draw attention to himself, or to her. Unless he really was rude, Harry wouldn't say anything - but Ron's temper would urge him into a fight with the older man in a matter of moments. Hermione twisted her fingers and ordered, barely listening to Ron and Harry's chatter about sports. The only signal she had was the scraping sound of a chair being pushed back.

"Afternoon, beautiful. Enjoyin' yer day?" Scabior was suddenly leaning against the counter, though he was still separated from her by Harry. The two young men turned to look at Scabior, confused. Ron mouthed 'beautiful?' which only served to light the wick of Hermione's temper. She sniffed, as if she hadn't heard Scabior, or seen Ron and paid for her things before she finally acknowledged the older man.

"Hm? Oh, it's you. Why, yes I am. It's been rather quiet and I've had ample time to study." Hermione put her wallet away in the small handbag she had with her and then turned on her heel to go wait in a booth on the opposite side of the diner. She could see out of the corner of her eye that both Harry and Ron were exchanging looks, wondering what on earth was happening, but Scabior ignored them. He walked straight past the boys and towards Hermione, a swagger obvious in his step. Hermione laced her fingers and placed her hands on the table in front of her, turning her head to look out the window, in the opposite direction of Scabior. She knew it was irritating him, something about the way he was lingering seemed to hint that he wanted her to know something. Hermione wasn't about to give him the satisfaction. Scabior placed his hands on the table, his faint tan contrasting very sharply against the pale blue and leaned forward slightly.

"I know we've had our differences, lovely, but yer not willin' to be civil, at the very least?" The only sign that she had heard him was the tensing of her hands on the table. Harry and Ron had followed by now and of course, it was Harry who was the first to speak, Ron was becoming suspicious.

"Uh, hello there. I'm Harry. Are you a friend of Hermione's?" Being cordial, Harry held out a hand, but Scabior only spared him the shortest glance, ignoring Ron completely, before he spoke to Hermione again.

"Well then, I see how 'tis, beautiful. Don't worry, you'll be hearin' from me again soon." Scabior rapped a knuckle smartly on the table and whirled to leave the diner, his coat smacking Ron in the chest.

"What was his problem?" Ron muttered, his eyes still following Scabior through the window. Hermione finally turned her attention back to her friends, and she could see the questions in Harry's eyes, so she quickly stood up. Ron jumped back a step, as he had been about to sit down next to her.

"Sorry Ron, but our food is ready. We should probably head back to the school before it gets any later." Hermione hurried to the counter, grabbed her things and was the first out of the door, avoiding the talk she knew Harry, and Ron, would want to have.

o0o

Hermione had hurried through lunch, picking at her food, more than eating it and then throwing out an excuse about studying. She fled the cafeteria and headed towards the library, her place of refuge. She knew that if Harry really thought he needed to, he could find her here, but it was also rare that Hermione kept anything from her two best friends. Harry would leave her alone, for now. The bushy haired young woman sat at her favorite table - it was rarely occupied - and pulled out one of her few recreational books. She had barely begun to read when a soft sigh reached her ears and she turned to see Ginny standing not too far away, her arms crossed over her chest. Luna stood beside her, but her eyes were glued to the upside-down Alien magazine she held in her hands.

"Really, 'Mione? Harry told me you were really keyed up about something, and he was right. I can see it written all over your face." Ginny slid into an empty seat, but before she could continue talking, Luna spoke.

"As much as I would like to offer my input on your problems, I very much doubt you would appreciate it, Hermione. I'm going to go see if Colin has caught any new pictures of the ghost in the ladies room." Luna closed her magazine and tucked it under her arm, leaving the library. Ginny turned back to Hermione and raised her eyebrows in expectation, but Hermione tried to put it off.

"I really wish Luna wouldn't do that. It's been ages since we've... Since we've had a disagreement." Hermione wanted to avoid Ginny's gaze - the redhead always had a way of finding out what she wanted to know. Most likely a side effect from being the only girl and having so many brothers. Ginny rolled her eyes, but turned the topic back to what she had come to discuss.

"Harry told me he thought it was because of a strange man that was talking to you in the diner. Is this strange man the same one you pepper sprayed? And..." Ginny paused and now she looked a bit sheepish as she brought up the other meeting Hermione had with Scabior. "Well, and the same one whose nose you broke?" Hermione leaned back in her chair, her hands the only thing on the table, and pursed her lips. She didn't want to think about any of this. The man was bad news. But she may as well tell someone, and Ginny wouldn't share it with Harry or, heaven forbid, Ron.

"Yes. The very same, who also jumped out of the trees on my walk home and scared me half to death two days ago. And then he tried to - I swear he was going to smell me. And now today," Hermione sighed. She closed her toffee colored eyes and gave a small shake of her head. "I didn't know he was there, of course. Harry and Ron ordered their things and then I realize someone is watching us - and there he was. I was still irritated about, well, about all of it. He asked me on a date after I broke his nose," Hermione shared in a scathing tone. She threw her hands up into the air. Ginny made a non-committal noise, but Hermione had just begun.

"Of course I told him no, and then he begins to show up everywhere! I accused him of stalking me after he jumped out of that tree, but he told me stalking took premeditation, he just happened to sitting there when I walked by." Hermione quietly scoffed, while Ginny leaned her elbows on the table, eyebrows drawn together as she considered a way to answer her friend - without offending her.

"You know, 'Mione, most any other girl would probably be flattered to have a handsome, older man's attention. Wait, wait, just listen. He's most likely used to it. Maybe if you - don't give me that look, I haven't finished. Maybe if you were a bit more cordial, more... I don't know, appreciative of the way he seems to be interested, he might back off a bit. A challenge is always more appealing," Ginny whispered the last conspiratorially and Hermione actually thought about her words before she flat out refused. Ginny did have a point - most people wanted what they couldn't have, and if they thought they could have it, the object or person lost the appeal...

"But, Ginny, we're talking about a man who has questionable motives, that all point to - to - it just wouldn't be a good idea. I don't want him to be encouraged in any way, shape or form, if I can help it." Hermione gave another resolute shake of her head. "I don't like that he's waited for me at school, twice now and just happens to be at places that I frequent." Ginny spread her hands helplessly in answer and Hermione shrugged in return. Other than the one moment in the park though, Hermione had been mostly annoyed with Scabior. She didn't do well with male attention as it was, and of course, the one boy she was interested in was absolutely oblivious. But before the moment in the park, he hadn't been truly frightening. Now she couldn't seem to get rid of the twinge between her shoulder blades.

Before either of the girls could speak again, the bell rang. Hermione happily dove back into academics.

o0o

It was in Hermione's free period, that another complication was added to her list of thoughts. Mr. Flitwick had left the room for a few moments and nearly all of the students, excluding Hermione, had begun to chatter or move about the room. Pansy Parkinson was sitting on the windowsill, speaking to Gregory Goyle and Blaise Zabini, and speaking so fast that the Gregory looked like he was at a complete loss. It was Pansy that had a wonderful view of the schools parking lot, and of course, Pansy who began to admire someone that seemed to be out there. Her dark eyes were focused intently on them, even as she turned her head to continue speaking to her companions.

"Would you look at him! I wonder if he's someones older brother and he totally has the bad boy vibe going on-" Pansy may as well have pressed her face against the glass, her breath was fogging it up enough. Hermione hadn't been paying the girl much attention, after all, they didn't get along, but slowly, Hermione put down her pencil. Her eyes were still focused on the book in front of her, looking over the same calculus problem continually as she tilted her head to listen to Pansy and Blaise.

"Well, I haven't seen anyone around school that resembles him... What do you think, Blaise? Do you recognize him?" The thin black boy rolled his eyes, he probably couldn't care less about whether he knew the man or not, but to avoid confrontation with Pansy - quite a few people feigned interest. He stood and peered out the window for less than a second before letting loose a dignified chuckle.

"Oh, yes. I've seen him before, Pansy," Blaise suddenly leaned close to the dark haired girl and his voice was low, but Hermione was just barely close enough to hear him.

"Granger broke his nose a while back. And that was before he asked her out on a date, he seemed extremely interested." Hermione turned her head just a little bit, flicking her eyes up to Blaise to see a smirk growing on his lips. Dreading what would undoubtedly come next, Hermione bent her head back to her calculus book, tapping her pencil rapidly against the sheet of paper she had out.

"Granger?" Pansy shrieked and Hermione couldn't help but clench her fists. She lifted her head, since everyone else in the room had heard, she may as well respond, and turned to look at Pansy. Hermione tried to give the girl a pleasant smile, even though she knew she would get a sneer in return.

"Yes, Parkinson?" Hermione congratulated herself, she sounded mostly polite, though the name Parkinson seemed to make her a bit tense when she said it. Pansy was giving Hermione a once-over, as if she couldn't quite wrap her head around a man, any man, ever being interested in Hermione Granger. Hermione waited another beat before she lifted her hand and gave Pansy a little wave, trying to break her gaze.

"Are you paying him, Granger? He looks like he's in a band and surely someone with taste and good looks wouldn't waste time with you unless - well," Pansy gestured to Hermione again and gave a little shrug, as if to say 'what could you do?' Rage bubbled over in Hermione, but she decided to play a little dumb.

"Still sour over Viktor, Parkinson? I thought that was years behind us. But as to this him you're speaking of, I have no idea what you're talking about." With a few quick pencil strokes, Hermione finished the calculus problem in front of her and then turned her attention back to the black haired girl who looked to be seething with rage.

"Krum was never worth my attention, Granger. I was talking about this new conquest you seem to have, the one that you injured? Maybe you're blackmailing him?" Pansy regained a little bit of her cool and flicked her hair over her shoulder, sharing a laugh with Gregory. Blaise was leaning against the wall now, but wasn't interjecting, he preferred to be on the sidelines. Exasperated, Hermione rose and quickly looked out the window. Sure enough, Scabior was sitting on the very edge of the parking lot. Far enough from the entrance that unless the teachers were staring outside, they most likely wouldn't notice him. His hair was pulled back in his typical low ponytail, the rest a riotous mass of snarls, but his pants were black today, which Hermione hadn't noticed in the diner. Hermione couldn't make out many more details than that.

"Likely would be the only way you could snatch a man," Pansy taunted, raising a single, overly plucked eyebrow. And then, Hermione let her temper get the best of her. Most likely she would have shrugged off Scabior's appearance, she could have thought of something... Maybe he was a local college student, needing tutoring, because Hermione had done that before. She could have told the truth, as unlikely as Pansy would find it - anything would have been better than what she found herself saying.

"My boyfriend enjoys my company because of who I am, no matter that you seem to find me so distasteful," and Hermione wanted to slap herself. What had she done? What had she done? It would be all of ten minutes before the class, and the day, ended and then, her life would be over. Pansy was the Queen of gossip and the rumor that she was dating an older man would spread like wildfire. Oh no, oh no, ohnoohnoohnoohno... And she had said it in front of more than just Pansy. Blaise and Gregory and a myriad of other students. Hermione was about to take the words back, even if it meant that she had to embarrass herself in front of Pansy Parkinson, who looked livid, but Mr. Flitwick hurried back into the classroom.

"Back to your seats, back to your seats!" His voice squeaked as he toddled up the row of desks, waving either hand. Everyone quieted, though Hermione could feel eyes on her, and slowly went back to their desks. Hermione seriously thought about slamming her head on the desk repeatedly, maybe then they would think she was insane and leave everything unsaid... The bell rang and Mr. Flitwick, smiling, sent them off. Hermione had to get to Ron and Harry, had to get to them before Pansy shot off her mouth and ruined her life - Hermione hurriedly stashed her things in her bag and ran as fast as she could. She found both of the boys in front of Harry's locker, discussing the Canons - before she interrupted.

"I made a huge mistake! In study hall, Pansy riled me up terribly, and - and I didn't think and I told her that he was my boyfriend!" Harry blinked in confusion and Ron's jaw dropped. He hadn't seemed to hear anything besides the word boyfriend.

"You're... dating someone?" He spoke first and Harry's eyes flicked to him, giving the redhead a strange look, almost like 'you didn't hear anything, did you?'

"NO," Hermione told him forcefully, her cheeks flushing red and Ron's look of panic disappeared in a snap.

"Oh, well then, what were you saying? I didn't hear well." Hermione's nose wrinkled. Sometimes she couldn't believe Ronald, even though she - Hermione sighed and repeated herself.

"-and that man she was talking about is the one we saw today in the diner. I really don't know, or like him, but I had to come and tell you two before - before she ruined my life," Hermione's voice dropped a few octaves. They had been walking as she hurriedly tried to explain everything to them and had come to the bottom of the stairs near the parking lot. Hermione could see Pansy Parkinson, hands on her hips, questioning Scabior near the low rock wall he had been sitting on before.

"Oh no," Hermione whispered and both the boys looked at her worriedly. Scabior had looked momentarily surprised, but then his face had lit up as if someone had given him a present. He gave Pansy a nonchalant shrug and then nodded his head, a knowing smile on his lips. Hermione knew what he was agreeing to - which would save her face with Pansy - but meant that she now had to deal with more unpleasantness from Scabior himself.

"Just, just let me take care of this, alright?" Hermione tossed over her shoulder as she strode towards Scabior and Pansy. Ron was about to call her back, but Harry stopped him, shaking his head.

"Hermione can handle herself, Ron. I would rather stay out of her way, especially when it comes to all this... Pansy non-sense." Ron frowned, as if he were really mulling over the words, but finally nodded. He didn't really want to involve himself in girl problems - and Hermione had already told them that she wasn't dating the creep, so there was nothing to worry about. Ron reluctantly let Harry lead him away, though if he heard anything about the man bothering Hermione again he would intervene another day.

Scabior had seemed to realize that someone was heading towards him and Hermione wanted to grimace when he caught sight of her and gave her one of those... charming leers. She forced herself not to frown, but didn't give him a smile as she walked up to the pair. Scabior reached out and expertly slipped his arm around her, tucking her against his body in a hug that was much too close. Hermione gasped, and could barely hear Pansy's frustrated growl before she walked away. Hermione immediately began to untangle herself from Scabior's arms, her cheeks heated and her teeth clenched.

"Oi, what's the problem, lovely? I was just kindly alerted to the fact that you and I are datin'. Thought you would like an embrace from your paramour," and Scabior wiggled his eyebrows, which made Hermione's stomach give a little strange flip. She hurriedly backed up, if she was about to be sick at the thought of them together, she didn't want to be sick on him, no matter how much he deserved it.

"Ms. Parkinson is about as infuriating as you are and she twisted my words-" Scabior stopped Hermione's flat out lie by unconsciously patting his chest, as if he were searching for something, which made Hermione notice what he was wearing. Her scarf. The scarf she had forgotten all about when he had scared her in the park. A little shudder ran through her, knowing that he was the one who had been in possession of it all this time. If he was as... unstable, as she had thought, surely it was bad thing. Hermione took a deep breath and then shook her head.

"Why - why on earth are you wearing my scarf?" Hermione questioned in a bland voice. Scabior blinked and tilted his head, pulling a pack of cigarettes out of a hidden pocket in the chest of his jacket. He seemed surprised by her question for a moment, and attempted to cover it by pulling out a cigarette.
"You're not allowed to smoke on school grounds," Hermione snapped out quickly. Scabior chuckled and placed a black cigarette between his lips, but didn't light it.

"As for yer scarf, finders keepers, eh beautiful?" Scabior shoved his hand into another pocket, rummaging through whatever he kept with him, which made Hermione inexplicably more annoyed than she already was.

"I can't believe this is happening," Hermione murmured and shook her head before whirling to walk away. She got about ten steps before she realized that Scabior was keeping pace with her and had lit the fragrant cigarette. Disgust made her nose wrinkle as she caught the smell of the smoke, though it wasn't nearly as bad as she had thought it would be.

"No," Hermione told him, pointing at him like he was a domestic animal in trouble. Scabior raised an eyebrow and blew out a puff of smoke, pinching the cigarette between his thumb and forefinger of his right hand for a moment to take it away from his mouth.

"No, what?" He asked, imitating the annoyed tone she usually had when speaking with him. His blue eyes sparkled with mischief before he took a small drag, as if he had no idea what she was talking about. Hermione gaped at him like a fish out of water while he blew a tiny smoke ring to his left.

"No, you are not allowed to smoke on school grounds. No, no matter what Pansy thinks, you are not my boyfriend and no, you are not going to follow me. Anywhere," she finished with a hiss, hands clenched at her sides. Scabior chuckled again and took another drag, looking away as he held the air in his lungs. He blew the smoke out away from her before he turned back to talk.

"Why don't we talk a bit, hm, lovely? Just a few words won' hurt anythin'," he assured her and gestured to the smooth sidewalk in front of them. Hermione still looked angry, her eyes narrowed and her body tense, but she nodded after a moment. He could feel his lips curling upwards in a smile and he coughed to try and hide it.

"Alright then, that sure is progress! Would ya like to hear me out, maybe?" Scabior asked, sticking his left hand in his pocket to keep warm. Hermione didn't walk away, and she didn't snap at him, so he figured he had permission to go on.

"I dunno why yer so opposed to a bit of attention, eh? But each to their own, I suppose. What I want to know though, is if you'll give me a chance," Scabior noted the fearful look in her eyes and stopped. He reached out, trying to touch one of her curls and she skittered out of the way. The single, unwanted, hug he had gotten had seemed to be the only thing he would get. How sweet it had been though, with her warmth and scent pressed up against him... Scabior narrowed his blue eyes, and plowed on with what he wanted to say, trying to get his mind off of the feeling of her body touching his. It would only lead to places that Scabior didn't need to consider in the least, especially when the girl was so dead set against even talking to him.

"It'd only be fair, yeah? Just get to know me a bit before you outright reject someone, and if, after you know me..." Scabior shrugged, as if to say it would all be up to her. Hermione looked intrigued and then turned away from him, staring at some of the far off trees, her lips thin on her face. She knew it was a bad idea, she knew that somehow... Something was going to go wrong. Her toffee eyes gave him a sidelong glance. If it worked out though, if she was able to send him on his way, because Hermione already knew she didn't like him, then she would be free of irritation. And, she would be able to save face with Pansy. Hermione suddenly wanted to laugh. She could even go to Pansy and tell her to have at it, because there was no way anything would ever make her change her mind about Scabior. Not all the time in the world.

"That would be it? If I spend a few days in your company, and I still don't like you, you will stop harassing me? And give me my scarf back?" Hermione tacked the last on as an afterthought, but Scabior scowled.

"The scarf is mine. But we have a deal?" Scabior held out his hand, the stag ring glimmering in the afternoon sunlight. Hermione watched him closely, her eyes flicking to his hand. That would be it? That was all it took? Hermione's slim, pale hand raised slowly... She hesitated for a moment, his blue eyes catching her gaze and a shiver went down her back, like a last warning. She placed her small hand in Scabior's warm, tan one and shook. She felt like she was sealing a deal with the devil.

A/N: This chapter didn't want to stop, and from here on out, they will most likely get longer as the actual plot comes through. I don't want huge notes here, but I will be leaving review responses in my profile (or on tumblr, if you've found me there! Though, unless your username is the same, you'll have to alert me as to who you are.)