Ch. 4 In This Together
Several weeks had passed in which Draco and Hermione had decided to avoid each other like the plague, this wasn't very effective seeing as they shared dorms, classes, and duties together. Patrolling had become a very silent affair and they made sure to keep a respectful distance between themselves in the process.
Hermione had found the time to welcome Estrella to Hogwarts and even found the girl to be incredibly sweet and aloof. Harry was completely smitten and had taken to being her guardian, showing her around the school, making sure she got to her classes, and even helping her with her work. Hermione thought it was cute and Ron only found it disgusting.
Hermione was already ahead in her work spending most of her spare time in the library studying. So far there still had been no word of any Death Eaters or Dementors nearby or anywhere else. She wondered what the Order was doing, she hadn't had the time to converse with Dumbledore, although he was constantly around keeping vigil over all of them.
Nothing strange had occurred, no mysteries had been brought about. This was so far the most peaceful beginning to a school term in a long time and it only alarmed her further. She could feel it like a bad omen hanging over head, things were going too good, there had to be a balance somewhere.
Even Hagrid was his jolly ole self and they spent a lot of time in his cottage. They still reluctantly attended Care of Magical Creatures, not having had the heart all these years to tell him how they truly felt.
Despite her distance from Malfoy, lately, she found her thoughts completely filled with the blond. At the most inopportune moments she found herself thinking about his arms wrapped around her if only for a second and it was as if it was happening again, she was falling and he was catching her. She'd begin to blush and Harry or Ron would ask her if she was feeling alright. Sometimes in class their eyes would meet and then they would quickly look away. She'd had to force herself one class not to look at him, because her eyes seemed to have a life of their own where he was concerned.
Even now as she sat in Potions her eyes kept flickering in his direction. He was bent over a book trying to find the right answer to the question Professor Rudma had given them moments before. Hermione already knew the answer but she'd taught herself long ago not to raise her hand to every question that was posed.
"Hermione?" Neville's nervous voice whispered beside her, "Could you help me? I get the question but I just can't find the answer. I've looked through the entire book it seems."
She smiled warmly at Neville sensing his frustration.
"It's a trick question," she whispered back.
Rudma had asked them how many buck-trouts were required in the brazen healing potion. He'd then sat down and calmly watched everyone rifle through their text books to find the answer. The trick to the question was that the brazen potion was meant to heal the poison of a buck-trout so quite simply there were no buck-trouts included in the potion, because it would only strengthen the poisonous effects.
"The potion is meant to reverse the effects of a buck-trout so there can be no buck-trout added to the potion at all."
Neville's face formed a silent 'oh'.
"Thanks Hermione, I don't know if I would have figured that out."
She nodded.
"Of course you would have. You're smarter than you think you are Neville."
He blushed at her and quickly turned back to his book.
She felt her skin prickle in awareness and turned to see Malfoy watching her. This time she didn't turn away and neither did he. She saw him point to Neville and mouth the words "pathetic". She raised her brows and mouthed back, 'you can do better?'
He smirked, closed his book, and then raised his hand. Rudma looked up from the book he'd begun reading and nodded at Malfoy.
"Do you know the answer, Mr. Malfoy?"
Malfoy crossed his arms.
"Of course."
If Rudma was in anyway put off by his arrogance he didn't show it.
"Then please tell the class what it is."
"There are no buck-trouts in a brazen healing potion."
Rudma nodded.
"You are correct, but can you also explain to the class why."
"Because a brazen potion is meant to heal the bite of a buck-trout."
Rudma clapped smiling at a cocky Malfoy.
"Yes. Quite precise Mr. Malfoy. Did everyone get that? If you didn't please write it in your notes."
Everyone began scribbling and Malfoy turned to give her a self-satisfied smirk. Despite herself she smiled at him and to her utter amazement his face formed into a smile as well. She'd never seen him smile before it seemed his face was either sneering or in a perpetual smirk. The smile magnetized what already was naturally present because he looked absolutely gorgeous to her then.
She turned back to her notes a small smile on her face thinking that surely the world must be coming to an end. For the rest of the class Rudma versed them all in poisonous plants and the potions that healed them and every now and then she and Malfoy would share looks and he would often exaggerate how bored he was which made her want to scold him and snicker like a five year old at the same time.
At the end of class as everyone was walking out she and Malfoy shared one last humorous look before they parted ways. She moved into step beside Harry and Ron as she watched him disappear around a corridor with Crabbe and Goyle at his side. Ron nudged her in the side.
"What are you smiling about Hermione? Don't tell me you have a crush on Rudma like you did Lockhart back in second year?"
She punched Ron lightly in the arm.
"Of course not!" she exclaimed blushing at the memory.
Harry chuckled beside her as they turned a corner, "You were smiling through most of the class."
"That doesn't mean that I have a crush!"
She was mortified at the thought. Her having a crush on Malfoy? Never. She'd simply found him.....amusing, nothing more nothing less. She certainly wasn't about to tell them the reason she'd been smiling through most of class so she immediately changed the subject.
"Have you all started on your paper in the Defense Against the Dark Arts?"
They both groaned in unison.
"I haven't even started," Ron said.
"Me either," Harry agreed shaking his head, "Leave it to Snape to ruin my favorite class."
Ron snorted, "Snape could ruin a wet dream."
They all continued down the hall each complaining about Snape in their own way. They entered the Gryffindor common room. Many of the Gryffindors were already there putting there books away or conversing with each other. She spotted Ginny talking in a corner excitedly with Lavender Brown and waved.
Estrella Ile sat on one of the couches looked immensely uncomfortable as Seamus Finnigan excitedly described his love for Quidditch to her. She saw Harry quickly make his way over to her and sat down joining in the conversation. Estrella's face brightened considerably. Hermione exchanged a look with Ron who just rolled his eyes and headed over to them as well. Hermione followed them and she broke into the conversation.
"Hi Estrella, I see they're forcing their passion for Quidditch on you now."
The girl nodded shyly looking from Seamus to Harry.
"It's alright, it's very...interesting after all," Estrella's voice was wispy and so low that one had to strain to hear her.
"She said she didn't know much about the game, I was just filling her in," Seamus shrugged, "Harry here is the seeker for our team. He's the best there's ever been."
Estrella turned to Harry wide eyed.
"Really?"
Harry quickly shook his head, "No, Seamus just likes to exaggerate, apparently."
Seamus chuckled standing from his position on the couch.
"There's Harry for you, modest to the bone. He really is the best you know, don't let him tell you otherwise."
He walked off towards Dean Thomas and began talking with him.
"Are you the premier player on the team?" Estrella asked Harry.
Harry shook his head again, "No. The seeker is a very important player but so is everyone else, it's a team effort."
"I play Keeper and I'm captain," Ron interjected.
Estrella nodded politely and turned back to Harry for more information. Hermione decided to excuse herself since she had studying to do and it was obvious Estrella and Harry wanted time alone. Ron didn't seem to get the hint and continued to add his two cents.
Hermione quietly left the common room and headed to the library. She walked through the corridors waving and speaking to various people but she faltered in her step when she came across Malfoy speaking to a girl she recognized from Slytherin. It was obvious they were flirting. The girl leaned into him suggestively and he leaned down to whisper something in her ear to which she playfully hit him.
She felt herself grow irritated. Of course he would be fraternizing in the hallway. She vaguely thought about deducting points out of spite but mentally shook her herself and continued onwards as if she didn't see them at all. She noticed Crabbe and Goyle standing around stupidly nearby waiting for him. It seemed throughout the years that the two boy had become dumber, she always wondered how they were passed on every year.
She quickened her pace as she passed Malfoy her eyes straight ahead and she saw him turn his head to her out of the corner of her eye. Once she was safely out of his sight she let out an audible sigh and realized she had been holding her breath. This. Is. Malfoy. She told herself quietly. There was no reason to freak out over him being....well....Malfoy. She certainly didn't care what the ferret did just so long as he did it far away from her.
Draco had momentarily become deaf to whatever it was the girl in front of him was saying when he saw Granger walk briskly by her head high and her shoulders straight. She'd completely ignored him, not that he minded, but he found himself mildly irritated. The episode in Potions earlier was still fresh in his mind and he felt the need to work off the anxiousness he'd felt silently conversing with Granger in class.
He had no idea where his playful mood had come from but surprisingly he hadn't regretted it, in fact he'd found that he was enjoying himself. These past few weeks had been a bit of torture for him ever since he'd admitted to himself that he actually found the little book worm attractive. He'd done everything possible to keep his distance. His insults were even at a minimum. He figured the less contact the better but today in Potions watching her give Longbottom the answer had compelled him get her attention.
He found that he didn't like the way the forgetful incompetent boy looked at her. It was obvious to him that Longbottom wanted more than just answers from Granger and she was perfectly oblivious. Longbottom wasn't the only one she was oblivious too, though, he'd caught many boys eying her even the Weasel. Potter seemed completely taken with the new girl, whose name he couldn't remember for the life of him. Granger seemed focused on only one thing, her studies. He doubted that any of the eager hopefuls had a chance with her but it still annoyed him, nonetheless.
"That's that mudblood isn't it? Potter's friend? I had a class with her once, she thinks she knows everything."
The snooty voice broke into his conscious and his eyes flitted back to the girl in front of him just as Granger rounded a corner and disappeared. The girl was olive skinned with brown eyes and black thin hair. She was cute but definitely annoying. He had been contemplating taking her to bed but for some reason unknown to him her words doused any attraction he had for her.
"So are you coming by later tonight, after your through patrolling?" her voice had become low and seductive.
He stepped away from her and looked back towards Crabbe and Goyle who had got into a thumb wrestling match before addressing the girl in front of him.
"I just remembered a paper I have to write, maybe some other time."
The girl's face fell but she slid her hand down his chest with a pout.
"I was looking forward to it. Maybe you can come Saturday, when everyone will be in Hogsmeade."
He resisted the urge to push her hand away and instead opted to give her a sexy smirk.
"Maybe. I'll think about it."
Her lips curved, "You do that Draco. I'll be waiting."
She sauntered off purposefully twisting her hips not that it was much noticeable in her robes but she did it anyway and Crabbe and Goyle stopped thumb wrestling long enough to gawk at her. She would be waiting for something that would never happen, that was for sure.
Crabbe and Goyle came to stand in front of him apparently awaiting instruction on where to go and what to do next. He had been followed and revered by them since their first year and in that time they remained nothing to him but two illiterate brutes who could barely put a coherent sentence together. They certainly didn't help the argument that purebloods were superior to muggle-borns. They were nothing but the horrid result of too much inbreeding a fate that his family had avoided admirably. The Malfoys had always chosen to marry completely far outside of their family for fear of producing something akin to the two boys in front of him.
"Why don't you two go on to the commons, I'll catch up later."
They both nodded and turned tail in the opposite direction. Draco then headed towards his dorm. He passed several groups of giggling girls before he'd reached his destination. Once inside his own room he stood in front of the fireplace and glanced at his watch. His father was supposed to be meeting him soon. Right on time Lucius Malfoy's face appeared in the fire.
"You've been doing well in school, I assume?" his voice was expectant and unforgiving.
Draco nodded although he knew it wasn't really a question. His father would never accept anything less than perfection from him.
"Of course."
"I understand Severus is teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts this year."
"He is."
"Not that he would be able to teach anything really valuable there but you will get your real knowledge of the Dark Arts elsewhere."
"I thought that I had my training this summer."
The thought that there was more of what he'd experienced in the future did not leave him happy at all. Lucius only raised an eyebrow.
"What you experienced this summer was only half of it. You'll need to learn more, our Master wants us to be fully prepared and ready."
He didn't ask who 'Master' was nor did he inquire as to what they were supposed to be ready for. It disgusted him how his father, who was one of the proudest men he knew, could bow down to a man who seemed in appearance and spirit to be half man half creature. He'd even heard somewhere that he had been born a muggle. Until a few years ago Lucius Malfoy was obsequious to no man, now he constantly bent over backwards to please a wizard who was barely alive.
Instead of expressing his distaste for the wizard he asked, "How will I take up training and keep up with my studies here?"
"Don't worry about specifics boy," his voice scolded, "We will find a way, I'm sure. If training becomes too grueling we'll just take you out of Hogwarts."
"Take me out of Hogwarts?!" he couldn't keep the incredulity out of his voice.
Being at Hogwarts was a reprieve for him. He didn't have to worry as much about his father or the dark wizard that controlled him.
Lucius' face darkened, "You do want to serve your Lord, don't you? You can't do that sitting under Dumbledore's nose. Besides, we have plans."
Draco became immediately concerned, the thought of his father and company with....plans was not a good one.
"Plans for what?"
Lucius smiled, "In due time. For now you just keep up your studies," his smile widened, "You will be receiving your mark in December, the Master feels it is only appropriate."
Draco kept his face cool and even managed a congenial nod but inside his heart had plummeted to the floor. The dark mark signified his fate sealed. He could just imagine the black thing squirming on his arm and bile rose in his throat. Becoming a Death Eater was expected of him and he would try his best to live up to what was expected of him but he most certainly wouldn't enjoy it.
"Our Lord wants to place it himself. This is a great honor Draco. You will make me proud yet."
"Yes father, I can hardly wait," his voice sounded strangely detached from his body. He'd had to force himself not to sound sarcastic, obviously it worked since Lucius looked even more pleased, if that was possible.
"I want you to meet me in the Forbidden Forest this Saturday. Come at night when no one will miss you," Lucius' huge floating head turned behind him then back to Draco, "I must go now," his eyes narrowed at Draco, "Do not disappoint me."
With that he was gone and the fireplace was back to normal. Draco let out a heavy breath and went to sit on his bed feeling as if his lungs had been deflated of all air. Things must have been pushed up he was supposed to get his mark at the end of school term not the middle. He wondered if his father even intended for him to finish the term, from the way he'd been speaking he doubted it.
He'd naively thought that he wouldn't have to worry about Death Eater things while he was here at Hogwarts. He'd hoped his father would give him some leave of their heinous activities and let him enjoy his last year in school. He put his face in his hands suddenly weary with everything and nothing. He didn't want to be a tool for Voldemort's evil but he also couldn't go against his father nor his name.
He lowered his hands and stood up. Whether or not he wanted it it was meant to be. Soon he would be a Death Eater and receive orders to kill and torture, something he'd had a taste of this summer. He dreaded it like he would a possible castration. He sighed leaving his room.
He stopped when he saw Granger struggling through the door with a tower of books. Her face was flushed with concentration as she eyed the table on the other side of the room. He had no idea what came over him, maybe it was the fact that his father had just delivered the worst news possible to him, he didn't know, but whatever it was it made him rush to her side and grab the horde of books from her hands.
He moved easily towards the table and set the books down. He turned to her and noticed her dazed expression. He glanced at the books as if he'd just realized what he'd done.
"Th-thank you, Malfoy."
He could tell the words were funny on her lips by the way she looked after she'd said it. She obviously never thought that she would be thanking him for anything let alone carrying her books. He felt ridiculously happy over her obvious pleasure and immediately scolded himself for feeling that way. This was Hermione Granger. Granger. The know-it-all mudblood who had been the bane of his existence for almost seven years now.
He shrugged, "If your arms fell off I would have been held responsible, no doubt."
Her face fell but was quickly replaced with the look that she seemed to reserve for him exclusively.
"You could just say, 'you're welcome'. It wouldn't kill you, you know."
He picked up one of the books he'd helped her carry and examined it casually.
"Perhaps it would. Why were you carrying so many books on your own anyway? I know you're a muggle born but there's a thing around here we like to call magic. Use it."
She rolled her eyes, strode over to him, and snatched the book out of his hand.
"I thought I could carry it," she shrugged, "Besides, I couldn't reach my wand and wandless magic isn't allowed."
He lifted an eyebrow. She didn't say she couldn't do wandless magic just that it wasn't allowed. He had no idea she was even aware of wandless magic. Spoken magic was an antiquated method of magic that was only used by, usually, very powerful very dark witches and wizards, in this case, Voldemort and the like.
"You're familiar with wandless magic?"
She eyed him suspiciously.
"I know about it, yes."
He smirked.
"I'm willing to bet that you not only know about it but you know how to do it. Don't you?"
She shook her head, "It's forbidden."
He scoffed, "From what I hear things that are forbidden has never deterred you and your two appendages. Don't worry Granger, I'm not going to tell on you if that's what you're thinking."
Her eyes were disbelieving, "You'd do anything to make my life miserable."
He cocked his head a slow smirk forming, "True but in this case hurting you would be hurting myself."
Her eyes widened, "You know how to do wandless magic?"
"Don't sound so shocked Granger. Contrary to popular belief you're not the smartest person here," he said resisting the urge to roll his eyes.
She set the book down on the table and turned to him leaning against the chair. The proximity of their bodies did not go unnoticed by Draco and he took the opportunity to appreciate the honey and Jasmine that emanated from her.
"Where did you learn it from?" she said eying him curiously.
He vaguely acknowledged the fact that he and Hermione Granger were talking....civilly to one another.
"Does it really matter? I know it. End of story."
She nodded as if he'd told her anyway.
"I understand."
And she truly looked as if she did, as if she could see his entire upbringing with those molten chocolate eyes of hers. He felt like with a glance that she was prying into parts of his soul that even he had kept from himself. He wondered briefly if she was well versed in legilimins.
"You understand nothing Granger, you only think you do."
He turned from her and headed towards the door.
"I understand much more than you think. Despite your prejudice, me being a muggle born has nothing to do with my competence as a witch. You know nothing Malfoy," she said the words in anger and he found himself smiling once again because of her.
He wondered if most people knew what a spitfire Granger really was. As much as it irritated him to admit it she was the only one he knew who could verbally spar with him toe to toe. Not even the celebrated boy-who-lived could match her intelligence.
He leaned against the door instead of opening it looking in her direction, "Must you have the last word? I have an engagement and I would definitely miss it if I continued this little tit for tat."
She rolled her eyes dramatically, "Right. Your little engagement wouldn't have anything to do with a certain slytherin girl would it?"
He quirked a brow, "And if it was?"
"You are a Head and you are supposed to be the example not going around shagging every girl that happens to giggle your way," she chided crossing her arms.
"I will shag whoever I damn well please Granger. Maybe if you received a shag every once in a while you wouldn't be so shocked when others did it."
He watched her face redden and her breaths become quick and angry. Damn it all, she was absolutely stunning in her anger.
"Not everyone acts like they're a dog in heat and my sex life is none of your business Malfoy!"
He nodded, "It obviously isn't your business either seeing as you have no sex life."
He thought she would explode she was so furious. He decided that was his cue and quickly slid out the door. He jogged down the steps in a much better mood than before. The way that Granger had gotten angry at his accusations obviously told him what he had been unconsciously dying to know. Hermione Granger was a virgin and that in itself made his day a whole lot brighter.
Hermione stood seething in the common room after resisting the urge to throw one of the books behind her at the blond boy. Was she that transparent? Was everyone walking around the school whispering about her being a virgin? She'd never thought of her virginity as something to be embarrassed about but in front of an experienced person like Draco Malfoy she had certainly felt inadequate under his scrutinizing eye.
He hadn't said that she was a virgin but she could tell from his face that he knew. She pulled out the chair behind her angrily and sat down staring at the books in front of her. Draco Malfoy was a spoiled, insufferable, prejudiced, foul-mouthed git and she would spend no more time fretting about what he thought or felt about her.
Draco Malfoy was without couth and incredibly infuriating. She couldn't believe that she thought that for a moment that they would be able to have a civil co-existence. Obviously anything civil that arose between them would be quickly reversed by him. He could taking a flying leap for all she cared. Reminding herself just who he was helped to ease her anger and soon she was focused on her work easily completing her assignments.
Time flew and before she knew it the door behind her was opening again. Her entire being was aware of the boy not fifteen feet away but she ignored him finishing writing the last sentence to her report. She tensed when he heard him walk towards her and then he was behind her. He cast a shadow on her paper just as she wrote the last word. She signed her signature and put her papers away still ignoring the boy behind her.
"In case you've forgotten we have patrolling to do, so can you please hurry up doing next month's homework?"
She pushed her chair back and stood up walking past him and into her room. She put her papers away, not trusting them in Malfoy's vicinity, and went back into the common room. Malfoy looked livid obviously not used to being ignored. She walked past him and opened the door leading to the stairs out. She shut the door behind him not sparing a second glance and walked down the steps calmly then exited the portrait that lead to their dorm.
She stood in the hall waiting for him since they had to do this together. She didn't have to wait long because less than ten seconds had passed when he came striding out of the portrait giving her the look of death. She said nothing and began walking down the corridor knowing he'd follow. He quickly fell into step beside her and she could see him out of the corner of her eye glancing at her every few minutes.
Hermione resisted the urge to smirk not wanting him to think he was rubbing off on her in any way. They ended up in the Gryffindor area searching for any students or anything amiss when they both stopped abruptly.
"What the?" she heard Malfoy say under his breath next to her.
Her mouth fell open in surprise. Estrella was in her nightgown walking down the hall, no more like dancing down the hall. Her nightgown was white so it lent an ethereal look to her in the dim hallways. Her black hair flowed around her shoulders and she twirled towards them. She seemed to be speaking to herself as well or singing, she couldn't tell. She also noticed her eyes were closed. Her and Malfoy looked at each other before turning back towards the strange acting girl. Hermione strained to understand what was happening as the girl danced closer towards them when it hit her.
She grabbed Malfoy's arm without thinking, "She's sleepwalking!"
Malfoy looked at her in confusion. She wondered if regular witches and wizards sleepwalked. She'd never heard of it while she was here so she assumed for the moment that they didn't.
"Sleep walk?"
"It happens with some people. They dream and while they're dreaming they move around and talk and do things as if they're awake but they're not," she quickly informed him.
He looked at her and back to the Estrella.
"Is that....normal?"
She shook her head.
"Not really, but it's not incredibly rare either."
He nodded and they moved apart when Estrella moved to spin right through them. They'd barely moved in time, Estrella's twirling arms almost hit them both. She saw the agitated expression on Malfoy's face and he moved to Estrella his hand reaching towards her.
"No!" she hissed whispering.
He looked at her as if she'd gone mad.
"What do you mean no? You want her to go twirling about all night? She is in your house Granger."
She put her hand to her mouth indicating for him to whisper.
"You're not supposed to wake sleepwalkers. It could disturb them."
She could tell he thought she was completely insane.
"It's not like she's laying in her bed asleep," he bit out harshly, "she's dancing and singing for all the world to see. If Filch catches her I can only guess how many points the precious Gryffindors will lose and I don't care. But we will be reprimanded if we let her go and don't send her back to her room."
She knew what he said made sense but she also didn't like the thought of awakening the sleepwalking girl. Many sleepwalkers responded differently to being woken out of their walking slumber. She'd heard of some having heart attacks, seizures, and some that weren't even able to come out of it. Before she could think it over anymore though Malfoy had strode up to the girl and grabbed her gently shaking her.
The moment that Malfoy touched her the girl stopped. Hermione quickly walked over to them. Malfoy looked at her inquiringly, Estrella wasn't moving she just stood there her eyes still closed.
"What the hell is wrong with her now?" he whispered.
She slowly shook her head, "I don't know. I've never seen this before."
Malfoy shook her roughly this time and Estrella's eyes popped open. Malfoy jumped back releasing the girl and Hermione jumped with him. Her eyes were glassed over and unseeing. Soon after she began to scream in such a high pitch that she and Malfoy both covered their ears painfully.
They both looked at each other helplessly. She was going to wake the entire school! Hermione quickly scanned the corridor waiting for some person of authority to come striding through. Estrella just screamed and screamed her eyes unblinking her pupils dilated.
"Aaah! Shut her up!" Draco yelled over her screams.
Just when neither of them was able to take it any longer Estrella stopped and slumped to the floor beneath her. They both stared down at her stupidly then looked at each other relieved.
"Thank the heavens, I thought she'd never shut up," he looked at the end of the corridor in front and behind them, "I can't believe no one's come to see about the noise."
She nodded not believing it either. She felt like Estrella's screams were reverberating throughout the entire school.
"What are we going to do now?" she motioned to the unconscious girl, "We can't leave her here."
Malfoy nodded, "Actually we can. We are supposed to make sure no students are traipsing around at night, no one ever mentioned sleepwalking."
She scowled at him, "We are not leaving her on this floor Malfoy. Now I know that you hate me but you don't know Estrella and therefore should have nothing against her. It wouldn't kill you to carry her back to her room."
"You want me to carry her back to her room?" he asked incredulous, then crossing his arms indignantly, "If she twirled her way here she can most certainly twirl her way back. Besides, her being a Gryffindor is plenty of reason to dislike her."
"This is not the time to be a pig-headed idiot. If you can't do it out of the kindness of your heart, which you obviously don't have, then at least do it for yourself. If one of the Professors, or Filch, or even Dumbledore sees her on the floor they'll know we just.....left her here!"
Malfoy wasn't budging, "We can say she wasn't here when we came through."
"Malfoy," she growled her voice dangerous.
He uncrossed his arms and looked down at Estrella who seemed to be normally sleeping now and then looked back at her his expression fierce.
"You owe me. Big time."
She grinned, "Come on lets get her to the common room."
Malfoy, shaking his head, bent down and picked up the sleeping girl with ease and she noticed not for the first time just how strong and able he was. They headed down the hall and turned down two long corridors before they reached the fat woman portrait. She looked at Malfoy not really wanting to say the password around him. He gave her an exasperated look.
"If you don't open that portrait I am going to drop this girl right here and go back to my room without another thought."
She knew that he would do it so she quickly whispered the password to the sleeping fat woman. Her eyes slowly fluttered open and she surveyed the three people in front of her.
"What is this? You're not a Gryffindor. You're that nasty slytherin boy. You can not come in."
Hermione decided a diplomatic approach was the best way. Malfoy looked like he wanted to throttle the portrait.
"I know that Malfoy isn't a Gryffindor but I am and so is Estrella. She....," she paused trying to find a way to explain it, "She went to sleep somewhere else and we're just bringing her back. We're both Heads, it's okay," she reassured.
"No slytherins allowed," the fat woman dictated sneering at Malfoy obviously with no intention to budge.
"If you don't open this portrait I will sl-" Malfoy started.
Hermione stopped him before he could offend the portrait.
"Please," she pleaded sweetly, "We don't want her to sleep outside all night."
The fat woman eyed her suspiciously studying her, then after what seemed like an eternity and with Malfoy shifting angrily and restlessly with the girl in his arms the portrait swung open. They both let out a sigh of relief and entered. The common room was thankfully empty. Malfoy went to the couch that she'd seen Estrella and Harry conversing on earlier and laid her down.
"So this is what the Gryffindor's home base looks like," he said gazing around him, "Predictable and boring."
She ignored his snide comments and motioned for him to follow her out. They exited the portrait and began to walk briskly back the way they came. They continued on their route practically running around the building both silently praying that there were no more screeching sleepwalkers lurking around any of the corridors.
"I can't believe she walked that far away," she said more to herself shaking her head.
"From what I remember she danced not walked," Malfoy said wryly, "It would've been funny had it not been so......"
"Spooky?" Hermione finished as they headed back towards their dorms finally finished with patrolling.
She watched him nod reluctantly.
"I knew she was a strange girl the moment I saw her."
"Inter-house unity," Hermione stated.
Their portrait opened and they both ascended the steps then entered their commons. She turned to him curiously.
"What do you mean you thought she was strange the moment you saw her?"
He shrugged.
"You don't find it strange that she transferred in her seventh year?"
"No. It's not completely uncommon."
"Not to mention she walks around like she's in a daze or something."
Hermione felt the need to defend, "She's new and doesn't know anyone."
Malfoy sighed, "All the more reason for her not to transfer. She's just a weird girl and she doesn't make any sense."
A part of Hermione agreed with him. A large part actually but she wasn't comfortable at the moment with telling him so.
"Maybe she's home-sick. I heard that Luxbottom isn't a live-in school. This is probably her first time away from home."
"Defend her all you want Granger I'm going to bed. I've had enough of crazed Gryffindors for one night."
He went into his room and Hermione stood there for a moment contemplating his words. Estrella was kind of strange but she was being exposed to people she'd never met while they'd all known each other since their first year. She would try to approach the topic whenever she could get the girl alone, hopefully without offending or shocking her. She doubted the girl would remember what happened.
She entered her room slipping into her night clothes. She would have to tell Harry and Ron and gauge their reactions to see what they thought about the incident. She knew they would be discreet with what happened and eventually help the girl if necessary. Or maybe this was a matter for Dumbledore, if Estrella had happened upon a flight of steps she could have been seriously injured, fortunately that had not been the case.
As thoughts of Estrella slipped from her mind they were replaced with Malfoy. Somehow they had oddly been getting along not like normal people, of course, but considering they couldn't stand each other they'd worked considerably well tonight. She also couldn't help but notice how gentle Malfoy was in handling Estrella. When he'd laid her down on the couch she'd expected for him to drop her roughly but he'd made sure he'd been gentle. He had been........considerate.
Living so close to Malfoy allowed her to see him in a way that she never had and she found, much to her chagrin, that there were moments, very brief moments mind you, in which Malfoy almost seemed...............likeable.
(A/N) Hello all, I just want to thank the people who have reviewed and taken the time to read the story at all. You are much appreciated.