A/N: I know, I know. I promised to update on a Friday, but I couldn't wait to post one sooner. Since my birthday is coming up soon, can I pretty please ask for reviews to see what you think about the turn of events of Seal My Lips in the first few chapters? XOXO
Chapter Four: The Proposition
A week passed since Draco's 'talk' with McLaggen, and at first, it didn't seem as if his intervention had any effect on Granger's moods. It almost made him think that McLaggen didn't own up to his end of the deal. But still, he considered that it may still have been too early to see results. With Granger's skill at hiding secrets, it wasn't so hard to imagine that she was trying her best to seem as if nothing was wrong.
Another week passed and Draco watched in glee as he noticed significant changes in Granger's behavior. During breakfast, he felt as if Christmas came early as he witnessed Granger biting Ron Weasley's head off (figuratively, of course) as the ginger menace bugged her about his unfinished homework. Poor Granger, Malfoy thought, he didn't know how the swot put up with all that pressure. Why couldn't they just finish their own homework just like he did? He continued to observe as Weasley sulked after Granger told him off and then subsequently storming off while her hair looked as if lighting had just struck it.
A few days after that incident, Draco was pleased that he was suddenly partnered up with Granger for prefect rounds. It was rumored that majority of the other prefects, including the weasel, didn't want to partner with Granger since she was sporting such a bad temper for the past week. Being the merciful Slytherin that he was, he decided to take one for the team and volunteered to partner with her instead. A fact that caused much needed relief for the other prefects.
It was his and Granger's schedule to patrol during a Friday, and he waited patiently for the swot to arrive at the stairs heading to Gryffindor Tower. He didn't want to make the effort to wait for her outside their common room, that would be too much for him. Being in the vicinity of such a place made him want to scratch his skin off.
A quarter past the designated time to start patrol went by and Granger still hadn't arrived. Draco was starting to get pissed since he didn't like waiting especially when he had plans to enact and muggleborns to bother. He cursed as he started to make his way up to the stairs towards the tower. If Granger wasn't going to patrol with him willingly, then he only had to drag her out of their stuffy common room by force.
The Slytherin was half way up the stairs when Granger finally arrived, dragging her steps behind her and looking as if someone had killed her cat. She immediately froze as she saw that Draco was on his way up.
"What are you doing here, Malfoy?" she asked, rather coldly.
Draco frowned, "You're late for our patrols and you have the audacity to ask me why I'm here?"
Hermione sighed, and muttered 'git' under her breath. "I apologize for being late. I fell asleep in the common room and forgot that we had rounds." She quickly made her way down and when she noticed that Draco still wasn't moving, she stopped and turned around to look at him. "What are you waiting for? I'm here already so let's go."
The Slytherin whispered a litany of less than flattering words as he followed Granger down. For a moment, Draco second guessed himself if he really made the right decision to volunteer for patrols.
The two patrolled the usual route quietly. As much as Draco wanted to take the opportunity to initiate the start of the second phase of his plan, he didn't feel as if it was the right time to do so. Granger was really a menace when she wanted to be, and he didn't want to be the person to bear the brunt of her horrible mood.
They were almost finished with their patrols, when they encountered a very amorous couple getting up to Merlin knows what in one of the corridors in the dungeon. Draco rolled his eyes upon seeing one of the younger snakes entangled with a Hufflepuff. That was certainly a sight he didn't expect to see. For some reason, he tried so hard not to laugh at Hermione's expression upon seeing that the Hufflepuff girl had her hands inside the Slytherin's trousers.
To describe the situation, Draco thought that the best words to use were 'extremely awkward' and 'unexpectedly funny'. Draco watched, as if in a fascinated trance as Hermione began her tirade about respecting curfews and safe sex. The two students who were caught red handed just stood there, looking very embarrassed, as Granger spent another quarter of an hour lecturing them. At the end of that spectacular performance, Granger just let them off with a warning and told them that she better not catch them again sneaking way past curfew.
When the offenders were gone, Hermione sighed and rubbed her head.
"You okay, Granger?" Draco asked calmly as he leaned on the wall, while tucking his hands into his front pockets.
Hermione looked at him tiredly, "I think it's quite obvious that I'm not, Malfoy."
Draco shrugged, "Just making sure. It would be wrong to just assume, wouldn't it?"
Again, another sigh. "I think it's safe to say that our patrols are done now, Malfoy. I'm heading back."
Not wanting to wait for a response from Malfoy, Hermione quickly turned around and started walking away. Draco quickly pushed himself of the wall and ran after Granger. It wasn't long before they were walking side by side once more.
"What are you doing, Malfoy?" Hermione asked in an exasperated tone, "Patrols are done. Please leave me alone."
"Here I am, acting like a gentleman and wanting to escort you back safely to your tower, and you're being such a bitch to me." Despite Draco's harsh words, there was an amused expression evident on his face.
Hermione immediately halted, and rubbed her temples once more. "Seriously, Malfoy. This isn't like you, what do you want? Answer me now before I punch your pointy little face again like I did in third year."
Draco was not cowed by her threats, in fact, it made him feel even more pleased with himself to see how unlike herself she was acting. Despite the two of them not liking each other, Hermione didn't resort to threatening him so openly before. He knew that Granger was a pacifist and hated resorting to violence.
There was silence for a few moments before Draco finally spoke, "Pardon me for asking, but are you feeling quite stressed lately?"
To someone else, it would seem as if Draco was just concerned about her by asking her this, but to Hermione, she knew that it was something else entirely. The stupid smirk that was slowly developing on Draco's face was proof of it.
"I should've known." Hermione groaned out in a frustrated tone as she crossed her arms across her chest. "What did you do to Cormac this time, Malfoy? He's been avoiding me for a few weeks now, and every time he sees me he looks scared."
Draco sniggered, "Maybe he just finally realized how scary you actually look."
Hermione just glared at him. "I'm serious, you git. Whatever you're doing to Cormac, stop it immediately."
"Whatever for?" Draco asked, acting as if he had no idea why.
Another frustrated groan, followed by a deep blush, "You know what. Stop acting as if you don't know." Hermione started. "I know we're not friends, and I think it's obvious that we don't like each other a lot, but I was honest with you when we talked last time in the library. I really need to relieve some stress Malfoy, I can't last another week like this."
Granger's honest answer actually surprised Malfoy. He didn't expect for her to react to his unwanted intervention in such a calm manner.
"My friendship with the boys is quickly becoming strained since I can't seem to control my temper. Do you have any idea how many times Ron has asked me if I'm still on my period because I keep acting like such a bitch?" Hermione further explained. "Ron and Harry have taken to avoiding me until such a time where I can keep myself calm again."
Draco frowned, "Well, the only thing I can say is that your friends are jerks and you shouldn't put up with that kind of treatment."
One of Hermione's brows rose in disbelief, "I don't need advice from you, I need you to release whatever hold you have on Cormac. I may not be entirely sure, but I have a pretty good guess that you're blackmailing him."
Draco acted as if he was offended with Granger's accusations, "Why would I blackmail him? That's a very serious thing to accuse me of, Granger."
Hermione didn't look the slightest bit amused, "Need I remind you that you did try to blackmail me before."
Draco just smirked, "You wound me, Granger."
"Oh, shut up. What do you want then? Since it seems as if you're not going to stop bothering Cormac until I do something for you in return. Tell me what you want and I'll see what I can do."
The Slytherin was speechless for a moment, not really believing the turn of events that just transpired. He thought that since Granger actually was decent enough to be honest with him, then maybe he'd do the same.
"Let me take McLaggen's place for a night." Draco finally managed to say, there was no trace of malice in his voice.
Granger stared at him in disbelief, "Can you please repeat that? I don't think I heard you right."
Draco swallowed nervously, "I want to try shagging you Granger."
Hermione was about to start laughing, but the expression on Draco's face told her that the Slytherin wasn't joking around when he said that he wanted to shag her. The only word that she could say was, "Why?"
The Slytherin scratched his head, "Do I really need to answer that?"
"If you want to convince me to agree with your stupid idea, then tell me."
Draco sighed, deciding that maybe it was best to be honest. Well, at least be slightly honest. "I wanted to see what the fuss was about. Cormac seems to be awfully convinced that you're a good shag."
There was a confident smile that appeared on Granger's face, Draco felt a bit annoyed.
"Before I even decide, I just want to point out that," she started, gesturing to the two of them, "We heavily dislike one another. I don't even see you as attractive. In my eyes, you're just this blonde haired git that I occasionally find to be extremely annoying. So, forgive me if I think that your proposition is very unwise."
Draco felt very offended that Granger told him that she didn't find him attractive. Was the girl blind? "As they say Granger, don't knock it until you try it."
Hermione huffed, "I still think it's a very stupid idea Malfoy. I need to release stress, not shag you even when I don't like you. That will just cause me even more stress."
The Slytherin just shrugged, "What's one time? If we both hate it, then let's just agree to never talk about it ever again."
Granger still looked unsure, "If I do this, do I have your word that you'll let Cormac go?"
He just gave her a nod, but the simplicity in his reply was enough to convey his sincerity.
"It's too soon to decide," Hermione spoke. "I'll think about it and I'll inform you soon once I've considered all the facts."
"Why are you thinking so hard Granger, it's just shagging." Draco said looking curious.
Hermione just sighed, "Because you're telling me to shag you, and to be honest with you, I'd really rather not. You don't look so tasty to me."
Draco's jaw dropped. Shocked to hear that Granger just insulted him. It was a while before he got over Granger's words. "I'm a better shag than McLaggen, you don't know what you're saying!"
Seeing how incensed Malfoy was, Granger couldn't help but laugh. "Whatever, Malfoy."
And with this, she started walking away again, clearly having enough of such an absurd discussion between them.
"I'll wait for your reply, Granger!" Draco called out, chastising himself since he sounded so desperate.
He felt quite miffed that Granger's response was just a giggle.
