Power in All its Glory

Chapter 19: Hogwarts, A Commotion

"I knew it!"

Hermione stood up quickly, prepared for the worst.

She breathed a sigh of relief that it wasn't a professor yelling these words at her. The sneering face of Pansy Parkinson stared back at her.

Still, she wasn't in the mood to deal with Draco's psychotic ex-girlfriend. She had definitely had enough of the girl's paranoid obsessions.

"Piss off, Parkinson." Hermione was not normally one to swear, but she wanted the dark haired witch to get the message finally.

"You have been meeting with Draco and now I have proof!" Pansy yelled.

The incredulous look on Hermione's face reflected the madness of this statement. She was too stunned by the girl's stupidity to even reply to the ludicrous accusations.

She tried to brush past the Slytherin but the dark haired girl blocked her way. Pansy felt like she was finally getting somewhere, and she was not about to let the moment go.

"You can't possibly deny it now," she stated forcefully.

"Sure I can," Hermione replied angrily as she pushed the other girl out of her way. "Get a life, Parkinson. You're pathetic! Obviously, Ferret Boy is not interested in you any longer."

Pansy's mouth dropped open in shock. How dare she?

At that moment a surprising thing happened. The neurons in her brain sparked and Pansy had a coherent thought.

"If you aren't seeing Draco, then why are you out in the dungeons after curfew?"

Damn!

Hermione hadn't expected that to happen.

Time to go on the offensive.

"What are you doing out after curfew?"

"Following you," Pansy stated coldly.

"There is an obvious flaw in your story, Parkinson," Hermione pointed out. "You have to be behind me to follow me. Not in front of me."

"I was trying to catch you!"

"Well done, then. Obviously you are better at this than I thought. I guess that clears it all up." With that, Hermione left the bemused girl alone.

Pansy had the feeling that she was somehow missing something.

Professor Snape knew the exact moment Hermione left the room. Since his distraction of Lucius had been successful, he was now ready to end the conversation.

"So what is your plan, Lucius?" he asked with hint of sarcasm. "Barge into the boys' dorm and demand Draco end his involvement with the girl? That may cause some talk all on its own."

Malfoy tapped his cane on the ground as he contemplated Snape's words.

"Perhaps you are right, Snape," he admitted grudgingly. "It might be better to wait until tomorrow morning. It will give Draco time to think about what he is doing to the Malfoy name."

He turned to depart and then hesitated.

"I do appreciate your assistance in this matter, Severus," he remarked coolly. "I am disappointed, however, that you did not contact me sooner."

Snape did not reply as he closed the door behind his departing guest. All he wanted was for Malfoy to leave, and he didn't think calling him an arrogant bastard would have helped him achieve his goal.

Draco slept fitfully. His dreams were haunted by images of his father finding out about Sibyll and demanding an explanation. When morning finally arrived, the young wizard was anxious to get the impending meeting over with. It was just like his father to make him wait!

He quickly finished dressing and prepared to go down to breakfast. He was hopeful that Sibyll would be there.

Without warning, his father barged into his room.

"F…Father," Draco stammered.

"Draco," Lucius drawled. "I assume you know why I am here?"

It was not a question and it left no room for denial.

"Yes," the boy replied quietly.

"Then explain yourself." The older wizard waited expectantly.

"I know my grades have dropped …" Draco began.

"I am sure they will return to your usual high marks," he stated, looking bored and irritated at the same time.

"Yes, Father."

"Fine," Lucius replied quickly.

Okay, it couldn't be that easy. Then Draco noticed the dangerous glint in his father's eyes.

He prepared himself for the worst.

"I am aware of what you have been doing." Lucius paused for effect. "What you have been hiding from me." His voice was low; a sure sign that things were not going well.

"Sir?"

"Do not try my patience, boy!" In a few steps the elder Malfoy had moved closer to his offspring. His demeanor was threatening. "I know you are seeing her, and I will not allow it!"

Draco looked down to hide the emotions on his face. It was a trick that he had learned early in life.

Did his father really know? How could he have found out?

"Do you understand?" Lucius hissed. "It is over!"

Draco knew he could not openly disobey his father, but he had to see her again. He just needed to explain what happened and help her through the interviews. Then he could follow his father's orders.

He wouldn't tell his father that, though.

"Yes, father," he agreed meekly.

Lucius Malfoy regarded his son as if he were a mere speck of dirt.

"Consorting with Mudbloods!" he muttered angrily.

Wait! What? Draco looked up at his father in surprise and a fair amount of relief. It was so unexpected he could not help his initial response.

He laughed.

His father thought he was with Granger?

The look he received from the elder Malfoy was deadly.

"Something amusing?" The softness of the question did not fool him.

"No sir!" Draco quickly responded. "It's only … Pansy made up that stuff about Granger and me because I broke it off with her. I wouldn't have anything to do with a Mudblood."

Lucius narrowed his grey eyes. He could usually tell when the boy was lying to him. Yet … his son was certainly acting guilty a moment ago.

"See that these rumors stop immediately!"

The blond wizard turned to leave but then had a second thought.

"And … bring up those grades."

With that, his father swept out of the room.

Draco was disappointed to find that Sibyll was not at breakfast. She did not show up for lunch either and he realized she was returning to her habit of taking her meals in her room. Not that he could have approached her, but he felt a need just to see her again. He needed to know that she was okay. His eyes inadvertently drifted toward the empty spot at the teacher's table. He could almost see her there, in her own little world; occasionally making a bizarre comment to the others, inviting snickers and eye rolls.

Blasted! He needed to snap out of it. Why was he so preoccupied with her? He knew why; he felt a connection with her. No one else could understand what they were going through. At this time, she was the only one he could trust. And she wouldn't even talk to him.

He had to find a way to get through to her.

"I have an announcement to make." Professor Dumbledore interrupted their meal. "In the interest of increasing learning opportunities, we will be having two days of staff development. Each member of the staff will be met with individually to discuss his or her teaching methods."

The faces staring back at the Headmaster were blank. Everyone seemed to be in shock. This was an unprecedented event in Hogwarts' history. One just had to ask Hermione to know for sure, since she was probably the only one to have read all of, and memorized half of, the massive tome dedicated to the subject. Of course, that certain Gryffindor was preoccupied with other thoughts.

This could only mean one thing; the interviews were beginning.

The Great Hall was quiet as everyone contemplated the elderly wizard's words.

"Of course, classes will be dismissed during this time."

Noise erupted throughout the room. Students clapped and yelled with enthusiasm at the thought of two extra days off.

Several students were not cheering; each of them caught up in their own thoughts.

Draco knew he had to talk to Sibyll. She would be worried about the interviews. If she even realized that was what was occurring. He had to go to her tonight. They had to prepare. Now that his father had returned to Malfoy Manor, he would have his chance, possibly his last chance. He would devise his plan between History of Magic and Transfigurations.

Hermione also contemplated what she was going to do. She was not concerned with the interviews themselves. She knew they were a waste of time. It wouldn't help them to find the 'culprits' as Dumbledore hoped, since the evidence would all point to her and Professor Snape. Nevertheless, she could use this opportunity to her advantage. While Professor Snape was busy conducting the interviews, she could find a way to get into his office and get a look at those files.

Hermione knew something was going on with Draco. Pansy was right about that. He was acting strange. Sneaking out after curfew, uncharacteristic moods, too preoccupied to bully anyone. Add to that the fact that he had been in the detention with her and Snape when they were attacked. Something was going on and she was determined to find out what it was. The only way to do that was to follow him. She would start tonight.

While Hermione was making plans, someone else was scheming as well. Pansy was determined to figure out what was going on between Draco and the Mudblood. Tonight she would put her plan into action. Millicent was going to follow Draco, since he was avoiding Pansy, and she would follow that Gryffindor bitch.

Soon she would know what he was trying so hard to hide.

Neville smiled as he watched the commotion in the Great Hall. He wondered if this event would go down in the revised edition of Hogwarts, A History. It was too bad that his name could not be listed as the instigator. He would be patient, though.

It was just a matter of time.