Chapter 8
Dec 2nd 1994
You're such a git. I will not 'pull out all the stops' as you say. My apology will be how I want it to be.
Keep making cracks about my hair and I will end up choking you with it. Knowing you though, you would probably enjoy that.
Was Theo the friend that wanted help with the confession? He seems like a sweet guy but just a tad nervous.
I hope you keep winning your fight against boredom and in the meantime, I will keep your seat open in the library.
Hermione.
She didn't know why she was signing her name when this parchment was directly linked to a parchment that only Malfoy would see, but she couldn't fight the habit. After arriving in the grand hall and having some food, she sent her reply.
"Do you ever stop working?" Ron questioned beside her.
"Do you ever stop eating?" she shot back. His hands were full with food. She knew she had to keep her and Malfoy's friendship a secret from Ron for as long as she could. She knew how he would react and she couldn't deal with that, especially after the three of them had only just made up. She hoped Harry wouldn't mention it.
Ron sent her a childish glare before going back to his food. "It's good to have you two bickering next to me again" Harry joked.
Hermione grunted before deciding to change the topic "Have you made any progress on the golden egg yet?"
Harry shook his head "Nothing seem to work. I've nearly ran out of ideas"
"You still don't want my help?" Hermione asked.
"Not yet" He replied with a small smile "I want to see if I can come up with something on my own"
Hermione smiled back at him, proud her friend was trying to work this out for himself.
/
Draco read what Hermione wrote with a smile. He had just come back to his room, he was allowed to go to one other room on the ship for school but that was it.
He did wonder why she signed her name but instead of asking her directly, he was going to mess with her instead. He looked out his window and longed to be off this ship.
He brought his attention back to the parchment in his hand and started to write his replay.
A git? You can do better than that Granger. Who knows if I will like it or not, only one way to find out.
He can be very nervous, but when he gets comfortable with you, that nervousness will go away in no time and trust me, he isn't afraid to speak his mind either. I actually think you two would get on well, both of you annoy me with your comments
Was he with a girl? I'm mildly curious if it went well for him.
I'm still surviving so far, looking forward to messing with you in person so I can see your face.
Draco (why are we signing our names?)
He smirked at his handy work and went back to day dreaming about getting off that ship.
/
Late that night, Hermione sat up in her bed reading Malfoy's message. She found herself admiring how he was able to come up with such a clever way for them to communicate. She twirled a finger through her hair, smirking when she read his remark about her hair.
She felt her heart beat a little faster when she thought about them being alone together again. Choosing to ignore that for now, she started to write her reply.
I can't see how my comments can ever annoy you. They are always incredibly helpful, accurate too.
Theo was alone when I saw him but more importantly, is Draco Malfoy asking for gossip? Has Hogwarts changed you that much already?
I do have some gossip on Krum if you're interested?
H
After his comment, she wasn't going to sign off with her name. The git. She couldn't deny that she missed these verbal sparing matches with him.
She was about to put the scroll down when her words vanished. Meaning he was reading it right now. Her heart started to pick up it's pace again, what was going on with her?
His reply appeared.
You can call it gossip if you want but I call it self-preservation. If he gets with the girl, then I wont have to help him out again.
As for the gossip about Krum, I guess there isn't wrong with learning something new… just because he is a class mate.
Draco
A teasing grin spread on her lips. Trust him to want the gossip but refusing to call it that. She was not going to let it slide though.
That my dear Malfoy, is gossip and if you want to learn it, you will have to call it as such.
That's an interesting theory you have about Theo. However if he came to you for advice before, he certainly will again. You have a friend now.
I can't tell you how many times I've helped some of my friends with their love lives. It's part of the deal.
H
The words she wrote disappeared instantly. She thought of him sat in his bed, the same way she was in hers. Both of their focus only on the parchment that linked them. Along with her increased heart rate, she felt a blush creep on her cheeks.
Your dear Malfoy, am I? I didn't know you would be claiming me for your own?
I suppose I will have to stay away from Nott until his love situation simmers down a little. The last conversation I had with him was enough. I might send him your way if you normally help people with it.
I guess I am not meant to learn something new about Krum then.
Draco
A small but quiet laugh escaped her. This was going to be a fun night.
/
Dec 3rd 1994
Hermione let out a large yawn, she and Draco had stayed up until the early hours of morning messaging back and forth. He never admitted it was gossip.
Resting her head on the table, she debated the idea of possibly spending most of the night messaging again but before she could even finish an internal debate, she knew the tiredness was worth it.
Harry and Ron went to the Quidditch pitch for something. As soon as they started talking about Quidditch, Hermione checks out.
"Hermione, are you ok?" someone asked. She looked up and to her surprise. It was Krum.
Oh, yeah I'm fine, just a little tired" she answered before straightening up "And thank you for delivering that note for me" she smiled.
"It was no problem" he replied sitting down next to her "Are you and Draco close?"
The question caused her to pause. Were her and Malfoy close? The last few weeks with him flashed through her mind. A tender smile formed and she answered "yeah, we're close"
He smiled at her "Good, it is good to see him with a friend"
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"Back at Durmstrang, Draco is always alone and doesn't have any friends" he answered. Hermione momentarily wished she never asked, she would of preferred to hear that from Draco himself.
"No one at all?" she asked confused. Sure, he was a sarcastic git most of the time but he was also smart, interesting, and surprisingly helpful when he wanted to be. She couldn't believe he really had no one at all.
Krum shook his head "Me and him nod to each other as a greeting but that's it. He ignores most of the other students as if they aren't there. Some he simply yells at"
Now that she could believe. Especially after seeing the way he tore into Ron. If he was like that all the time, why had he opened up to her? Also he treated Theo, Pansy, and Blaise with some respect. So why was he completely anti-social at Durmstrang.
/
Two more days and I will be free. I can't wait to get on my broom again and feel the wind on my face
Draco
His words disappeared and he smirked as he imagined her annoyed face when she read that. He couldn't wait to see it in person.
DON'T YOU DARE! You are not allowed to get back on that broom again while you're at Hogwarts. You understand?
H
He chuckled lightly, getting the response he expected.
You really are bossy sometimes Granger, you know that? I think you need to relax a little more
Draco
Her reply was almost instant.
How can I relax when I've had Harry and Ron as friends for the last few years and now I have you winding me up every chance you get?
H
Draco replied instantly.
I would say that you have a great friend in me, that likes to keep you on your toes. I can't speak for the other two
Draco
Another fast reply from her.
Did you just admit we're friends?
H
His eyes bulged as he realised what he had said, how had he not realised. What the hell was Granger doing to him? Despite his shock though, he smiled.
I did Granger, do you have a problem with that?
Draco
Her reply didn't appear as fast as the others had. He felt his heart race with nerves. Finally, her reply did come through.
Of course not. I'm shocked you would say something nice. Thank you for saying it.
H
/
Dec 4th 1994
Hermione walked down one of the outside walkways, she did spend most of last night messaging with Malfoy. She was going to have to make sure she didn't stay up too late tonight. She wouldn't let herself be exhausted for another school day.
She had heard that there was going to be an announcement tomorrow in the main hall. She couldn't help but be nervous, considering the last announcement had caused her best friend to be entered into a deadly tournament and fight a dragon, it was safe to say her nerves were reasonable.
Turning a corner, she suddenly heard the commotion before she could see it. Muffled voices speaking over each other but she then heard clearly "Go on Flint, get him"
With hurried footsteps, she came to a small garden area where she saw a crowd of students, all Slytherin. A feeling of dread filled her as she noticed in the crowd of Slytherin was Theo on the floor, Flint stood over him with his wand in hand.
"A Slytherin, a pure blood Slytherin like you, hanging around with that mud blood" Flint shouted for the crowd. "You've always been a strange one Nott but I didn't think you would go this low"
Theo said nothing, he held his stare on Flint but he couldn't help the fear that showed in them.
"Got nothing to say?" Flint held his hand to his ear, hoping Theo would say something.
Hermione found herself crouched behind a pillar. She slowly drew her wand from her robes, ready to help Theo at any moment when a hand reached out and stopped her. Shocked, she turned around to see the last person she expected, Pansy.
Pansy held a finger to her lips. Hermione looked confused but did keep quiet and lowered her wand.
Blaise stood behind Pansy, his wand in hand and his eyes focused on the crowd of Slytherin. What had Hermione found herself in the middle of?
"Hit him with an unforgivable" Someone from the crowd shouted.
"Yeah! Teach him a lesson" another shouted. Hermione couldn't believe what she was hearing. How could they say something so horrible, so openly, without a care about what those words actually meant. She felt anger flow through her and surprisingly Pansy placed a hand on her shoulder.
Flint smirked and raised his wand.
"Expelliarmus" a voiced shouted. Flint's wand flew from his hand and landed a few feet away. The shocked Slytherin's turned and saw Blaise with his wand aimed at Flint.
"Sorry everyone. But I can't let you carry on with this" his tone was dismissive, like he was telling off a child for trying to steal a cookie.
Crabbe and Goyle turned their wands on Blaise, he didn't feel threatened. Those two were more likely to hurt themselves instead of him. Flint snarled at him "Got a problem here Blaise?"
"Just a little one" Blaise replied using his thumb and finger to show how little "I can't let you do anything to my friend there"
Flint looked between Blaise and Theo "I wasn't aware this piece of thrash had friends"
"I imagine there is a lot of things you aren't aware of. Now, if you and everyone else would clear out of here, I would greatly appreciate it. Or do I need to call a professor?" Blaise threatened.
Nearly all of the Slytherin's self-preservation kicked in and the small crowd thinned until only Flint, Theo, Crabbe, and Goyle were left.
"You do realise that you're outnumbered" Flint commented. He wasn't going to leave when he had the numbers game it seemed.
"Stay here" Pansy whispered to Hermione. She then stood up to be in view of the others "Actually, now that I'm here" she stood beside Blaise and took out her wand "It seems you're outnumbered because those two idiots barely count as one competent wizard"
The two lackey's looked annoyed at her comment but said nothing.
"Be good little boys and go play somewhere else" Pansy used the same patronizing tone Blaise did earlier.
The three boys looked pissed "Let's go boys" Flint ordered. He bent down to get his wand and whispered to Theo "They can't protect you forever"
After the three scurried away, Theo made his way to his saviours "Thank you both" a sigh of relief in his voice "I didn't know we were friends though?"
Blaise smirked and shrugged "More like acquaintance's but we always have your back"
Theo gave a smile of understanding. An unspoken knowing passed between the three of them. Hermione chose this moment to join them "Theo are you ok?" she asked.
"I'm ok, I didn't know you were here Hermione" he answered.
"I was on a walk to clear my head when I saw the commotion. I was about to help when these two showed up" Hermione explained. There was a hint of confusion in her voice.
Pansy caught it and decided to explain "You think we are going to let a muggle born hating group see a muggle born? I wasn't going to fight that fight for you"
Blaise and Theo sighed. It was a classic Pansy response. "Um, thank. I think" Hermione said. Unsure what to say. It didn't go unnoticed that Pansy said 'muggle born' instead of… you know. "Is this a normal thing? Slytherin's punish their own, for just talking to someone like me?" Hermione asked.
Blaise shook his head "No, we don't know why this is happening but it needs to be stopped" his voice very serious.