Enjoy chapter eleven!

I've been told I'm cruel
Due to what I do
I've been told I'm cruel
To you

Have I been a fool?

After what Harlow deemed 'the Rescue' Hermione was taken into the house for dinner.

Susan Lafayette kept fussing over her — checking Hermione's vitals, offering her seconds or thirds, pressing a washcloth to her face.

"Susan, please, I'm fine," Hermione protested gently. Maybe if she spoke Susan would realize she is alive.

"I'm so sorry dear, so sorry!" Susan cried before squashing Hermione in a hug. "What happened to so was so terrible, I'm so happy you are okay."

"Hermione, I'm inexplicably apologetic for what happened in the tank room." Scott said from the head of the table. "Harlow, you need to keep our English guests safe, that's our primary concern this summer."

Harlow mumbled yet another apology from her seat and continued to poke at her dinner.

"It's not her fault dad, I should have been there with them," Matt interposed, defending his sister.

Scott looked up from his plate and gave Matt an agreeing look.

"Don't worry about doing anything tomorrow, Hermione." Susan broke the silence and reached over to smooth Hermione's hair. "You can sleep for as long as you'd like, and I promise to keep Harlow away from you."

"She means I won't wake you up," Harlow explained with an angry tone. "She doesn't mean I am now forbidden to spend time with you"

"Its fine really, I'm just glad I'm okay." Hermione smiled at the family. "I'm ready to get some sleep now, do you mind if I excuse myself?"

Draco Malfoy sank deeper into the bathtub with a low groan. When he closed his eyes he saw Hermione on the grass as he walked away. His grey eyes opened. He let himself simply relax and feel the hot water around him. Draco couldn't remember the last time he had a bath. Memories light years away started to flash in his mind of being a small boy and spending bath time clapping with glee as his mother charmed a rubber ducky to float around the tub on its own.

There wasn't even a rubber duck in this bathroom. Draco tilted his head and leaned back against the cool blue tile, his arms sliding into the tub from the sides. This day needed to end as soon as possible. Maybe he would steal Granger's book again later. To taunt her, of course. With a bang the bathroom door opened. Water sloshed around the sides of the tub as Draco scrambled for his wand, but it was too far away from his grasp.

"Draco Malfoy, tell me what happened right now!" Hermione screeched, slamming the door shut.

"What the hell — what do you want Granger?" Draco shouted back.

Hermione took a second to take in her surroundings. She figured Draco would just be brushing his teeth, but with another look she saw Malfoy in the bathtub. Naked.

"Why are you naked?" she asked slowly.

"I'm taking a bath, Granger." Draco answered just as slowly, with an edge in his voice. "What do you wear in the bathtub — floaties?"

"For you information Malfoy I don't take baths." Hermione crossed her arms over her chest. "Can you tell me why in Merlin's name you just barged in here? Draco asked with a glare.

"I should have knocked." Hermione groaned and leaned against the sink.

"The bloody hell you should have," Draco growled.

"I want to know why you pushed me in the tank, Malfoy!"

"Wait a minute. Why would you want to know why I pushed you in?"

Hermione's brow furrowed. Why was Draco using a disbelieving tone? "Yes, I do, is that such a hard question to answer?"

"But I didn't push you in, Hermione. Harlow did." Draco said and shook his head.

"Oh." Hermione took a second to respond. She couldn't decide which was confusing her at this point — she was wrong about Malfoy pushing her in, or he just used her first name. "Why did Harlow push me in?"

"She didn't on purpose. You were looking in the tank when her and I heard something. I think an animal passed by the door, but we assumed it would be Beaujolais."

"Oh." Hermione repeated. "Are you sure? Because I assumed you would push me in because you're so bloody bent on destroying me and—"

Draco let out a loud frustrating grunt and stood up from the tub. "I bloody well just saved your life Granger! I think you owe me a little more than an accusation!" Draco felt water running down his chest and his legs. Wait a minute, if he was out of the tub then...

Hermione did not flinch. She was staring at Draco's face and didn't dare move her eyes. "Draco, I think you should …"

He flushed and lowered himself back in the tub. "I uh … I was angry."

"Did you say you saved my life?" Hermione found her voice and looked away from Draco.

"Yes. After you fell in Harlow went to go get help and I figured I ought to do something." Draco said quietly, his hands skimming the water.

"Oh, you 'figured you ought to?'" Hermione raised an eyebrow. From the look on Draco's face she almost regretted saying that for fear of him getting out of the tub again.

"Would you rather I didn't?" Draco shot back. He stayed in the tub.

"Can I ask how long you waited to get me?" Hermione cocked her head.

Draco didn't answer, but rather took a sudden interest in one tile lining the bathtub.

"How did you get me out?" Hermione asked, moving to sit on the closed toilet seat.

"Levicorpus," Draco met her eyes for a moment.

"I figure Snape taught you that," Hermione assumed. Draco nodded.

The pair sat in silence for a minute. "I'm … I'm going to bed now." Hermione stood up and went for the door.

"I'll be in here. And can I request you not interrupt me again without prompting?" Draco asked, and his grey eyes flashed.

"Don't count on it, Malfoy." Hermione replied with false sweetness. She reached for the doorknob and turned it. Before she left Hermione added, "Thanks, by the way."

But Draco had slid under water and Hermione walked out of the bathroom too late to notice.