2. Being Immature

Hermione woke the next morning with a massive headache and swollen eyes. To put it frankly, she looked like hell. Worse than, if possible. After attempting to groom herself, she grabbed her luggage and headed for Harry and Ginny's to say her good-byes. It all seemed a bit hasty, but she wanted to get it over with. She knew that Ginny wouldn't be completely on her side and that Harry had to chose Ron over her… so she really wasn't expecting any sympathy.

"Hey Gin," Hermione sighed and embraced her.

Ginny sighed as well. "Oh, 'Mione…"

Hermione pulled away and rubbed her forehead painfully, her headache had not yet subsided. Harry popped his head out of the front door, for Hermione was never asked to come in. She only assumed Ron was in there. "Hey, Hermione. How are you?"

Hermione laughed bitterly. "I'm perfect, Harry."

Harry frowned. "I'm sorry. That was the wrong question to ask…" He stepped outside fully and hugged her as well. "I have to say my good-byes now because I have some things I need to take care of this morning. But, write us as soon as you get there, ok?"

Hermione nodded as Harry disappeared back inside the house. She tried to get a glimpse of what or who was inside, but she wasn't lucky enough. "So is Ron…?"

Ginny shook her head. "He's not going to say good-bye. He's not going to want to see you for a while… I haven't seen him cry like that since Fred died, Hermione. It's probably best you put him out of mind as well. I know you better than you think and you are hurting too… you aren't some sort of heartless machine."

Hermione was irritated. "I never said I was some heartless machine. I cried too, you know. I'm broken up about this as well, but I have to stop being so selfish and put on a façade. I have a job that I am committed to. I don't have time to feel sorry for myself. To feel sorry for losing the man I loved."

Ginny's eyes softened and she hugged her friend again. "I know… I'm sorry. It's just… you two were supposed to end up together. It was always going to be use four to the end. Now it seems like is just a figment of our imaginations."

Hermione placed her hands on Ginny's shoulders. "Trust me… If I thought for one second that I was still in love with Ron, I would be on my hands and knees begging him to give it a second go. But we're just not in love anymore."

Ginny hung her head. "I know."

Hermione checked the time and gasped. "Oh, Gin. I have to go. I'm sorry… see you at Christmas!"

Ginny smiled and said her good-byes and Hermione disapparated to Hogsmeade, where all the teachers were meeting up.

"Oh, hello Neville!" Hermione waved, happy to see her old friend.

Neville smiled. "Hello, Hermione. Nice to see you again. How was your summer?"

Hermione shrugged her shoulders. "It was… average, I s'pose. How about yours?"

Neville smiled eve wider. "It was fantastic."

"That's great!" Hermione patted him on the back as she weaved her way through the small crowd of teachers.

As she was trying to get up to Headmistress McGonagall, she ran right into someone. She stumbled clumsily backwards and fell flat on her back, but not before grabbing whoever it was she ran into and taking him along with her. Before she knew what had happened. A pointy face was staring right at her, his body right on top of hers.

"Malfoy…?" Hermione whispered, completely confused.

"Granger…" Malfoy breathed. "Right." He lifted himself off her and instinctively held out a hand for her to grab then realized what he was doing and quickly snapped it out of reach.

She sighed heavily and helped herself up off the ground. What was going on? Draco Malfoy was a teacher here this year? Why was she not informed of this? Sure, he wasn't a public enemy anymore, but he was related to treacherous villains. What was his reputation going to do for Hogwarts? For the staff in general? Hermione dusted herself off and gave a pointed and annoyed look at Malfoy. Hermione rolled her eyes once Malfoy looked away and finally got up to the Headmistress.

"McGon…"

"Alright, faculty and staff," McGonagall interrupted. "Thank you all for being here! Now, shall we head to the castle."

There were a few murmurs of agreement as the pack began to head towards the castle. Hermione stayed behind to collect her luggage that had flown out of her hands earlier, irritated by the fact that she couldn't speak with the Headmistress beforehand.

---

Ginny,

You would not believe who is the Potions teacher here… Draco Malfoy. As if I need my week to go more dreadful than it already is. What a git. But seriously… two days here and I already miss you guys! I got your owl about Harry finally wanting to move into Sirius's old place. Good for him! I mean, why pay rent when you have a place already? I can't wait to see how you decorate it. Uhm, how's Ron? Is he… ok? I've been doing alright actually. Just trying to keep busy. Students arrived tonight. Term starts tomorrow. That should be exciting! But really, Gin… tell me the truth on Ron. You know that I still love and care for him. Owl me as soon as possible!!

Love,

Hermione

---

Hermione,

We are officially moved into 12 Grimmauld place. I must say that it looks fantastic and Harry and I couldn't be happier. Sorry it took so long for me to get back to you, but we've been really busy with things here. And don't be mad, but Harry has employed a house elf to help us with things around here. Don't worry… Harry pays him weekly, thought I'm not sure if the elf takes it. We keep finding money in jars and under floor mats and rugs. We assume he doesn't want the money. And Hermione, you need to sit down before you read this next bit because I'm going to be completely honest. Are you sitting? Ok, good. Ron is doing fine, by his definition. And his definition is actually a new girl each week… he's drinking a lot more and staying out all night. He says he's completely moved on… So, you know he hasn't and that he misses you like crazy. But, please don't freak out about this, 'Mione. He's just trying to cope in his own weird and twisted way.

Love,

Ginny

---

Hermione,

You freaked out, didn't you? I haven't heard from you in three weeks. Please, owl me as soon as possible.

Ginny

---

Hermione Fucking Granger,

You had better pick up a fucking quill and a piece of parchment and write a fucking letter to me. Or else I'm coming there. Don't test me. You know I will. It's been two months. Where the hell are you?

Gin

---

"Alright class, thank you for another great day. I will see you next week when your paper over possible side effects of Animagus is due. That is all, you are dismissed," Hermione lectured and slumped back in her chair.

"HERMIONE GRANGER!"

Hermione's head snapped up. "Ginny? What the bloody hell are you doing here?"

Ginny stormed up to her desk. "I sent you three letters. All of which have gotten no response. I warned you I would come. I wasn't lying! What the hell is your problem?"

Hermione rubbed her temples and replied calmly, "Not now, Ginny. I am not in the mood right now. I'm busy."

"Oh, what a load of shit, woman."

"Is… everything alright in here?" Neville stuck his head in the classroom. "Ginny? Ginny! Hello!"

Ginny turned around, plastering on a fake smile. "Neville! So nice to see you!"

Hermione slowly got up from her desk and slipped out the side door, unseen by Ginny who was chatting Neville up. I owe you one, Hermione thought to herself and she scurried down the hall, out the front doors and into the bright, sunny day. Hermione doubled over, breathing heavily from running and from being constantly reminded of Ron. "Damn red hair," Hermione wheezed under her breath. She straightened herself up and went to occupy a bench that sat up against the stone wall. She sat down, completely emotionally drained and sighed. Why did Ginny feel like she had the right to come here? Hermione obviously was coping in her own way as well. She sighed again and banged her head against the wall. "Shit…" she murmured, rubbing the back of her head with her eyes closed.

"Get back here! Right now!" Hermione heard someone bellow across the school grounds. Hermione didn't even flinch, it sounded like a professor. The voice continued. "Oh, don't pull that with me, kid. I was a Slytherin once! I know all the tricks in the book. I invented the book. What's your name?"

"Finn Donner," the Slytherin boy spat.

Hermione's eyes fluttered open and she was now staring at the scene in front of her.

The professor, who Hermione now identified as Malfoy, was helping up a Gryffindor who seems to have boils all over her face and hands. He then grabbed the Slytherin boy by the arm. "Now, Finn, I want you to apologize."

"No way!" the boy scoffed. "The Mudblood had it coming."

"Fifty points from Slytherin," Malfoy hissed in his ear, but loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Come on, Finn! Just apologize!" A fellow Slytherin yelled out.

Finn's jaw clenched angrily as he glared at the poor, boil covered Gryffindor. "Sorry."

"Someone get her to the hospital wing." Malfoy let go of the boy. "And thirty-five points from Gryffindor." There's the Malfoy Hermione knew and loathed.

"What! What for?" someone shouted.

"Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus," he replied airily and began walking away.

Hermione actually smiled at this. Never tickle a sleeping dragon, she thought. Funny. She got up from where she was sitting and joined him on his walk back into the castle.

"So I suppose Finn is a sleeping dragon and that poor girl was the tickler?" Hermione mused.

Malfoy's head only shifted slightly to acknowledge. He eyed her in a bored matter. "How smart you are, Granger."

"I noticed that you took more points away from Slytherin than you did Gryffindor… very noble." She was just provoking him now.

Malfoy stopped in his tracks and stared her down. "You there, stop." He ordered a first year Gryffindor to stop without taking his eyes off Hermione. "List all the ingredients used in the Polyjuice potion."

"I… I don't know, sir!" the little black haired boy squeaked.

Malfoy's lips curled slightly as he was still looking at Hermione. "Fifteen points from Gryffindor. You may go."

Hermione's mouth fell open slightly. "There's no way a first year would have known the answer to that question, Malfoy." Malfoy began walking away down an empty corridor. She only guessed he was trying to ditch her. "I guess you still are an unfair git, like everyone says." He still kept walking. Hermione didn't know why, but she was dying for a reaction out of him. She kept in step with him. "I bet pity is the only reason you were offered this job."

Hermione felt herself being pushed up against the cold, stone wall. Malfoy had his hands on each of her shoulders and his face was oddly close to hers. His eyes were a lot bluer up close, but they were angry, sad eyes and not the usual taunting eyes she was used to. A pang of guilt etched through her. He pushed further, her shoulders at an odd angle up against the hard stone. She tried not to grimace in pain. His lips were pressed together in a flat line his shoulders rising and falling quickly. "Stop it," he ordered. His voice was low and venomous. "Stop it," he repeated. This time it was more of a murmur as his grip lessened and he pulled away slightly. He looked away for a moment with a thoughtful look on his face and he opened his mouth to speak again, but closed it quickly. He nodded angrily and stalked off, leaving Hermione frozen on the spot. She finally let out a breath she hadn't realized that she was holding in.

"Hermione? Hermione!" Ginny stormed up to her.

Hermione shook her head slightly, trying to forget what had just transpired. "Yes?"

Ginny sighed. "I'm sorry for just barging in like I did. I'm a hot head and that's how I react. You had every right to just slip out like you did."

Hermione shook her head. "It's in the past, Ginny. Follow me so we can so somewhere private to chat?"

Ginny smiled and nodded. She followed Hermione up a few staircases to a wing that she couldn't really remember. Hermione muttered her password and a portrait of a young woman milking a cow swung open. When Ginny followed her in, she gasped. Everything in the room was immaculate. She could taste the cleanliness. That's how clean it was.

"I see you've been cleaning a lot…" Ginny noted as she continued to take everything in.

Hermione shrugged. "Would you like some tea?"

"Yes please. Two sugars. Thank you."

Hermione disappeared for a moment and then reappeared a few seconds later. "Here you are." Hermione handed her friend the glass and coaster. She sat down and gestured for Ginny to take a seat on the couch that was placed in the perfect center of the fireplace. "Why did you come here, Gin?"

Ginny sipped on the tea. "I was worried about you, 'Mione. You failed to write back three times."

"I've been busy." Hermione set her cup on the coffee table. "And I don't want to talk about him."

Ginny was frustrated and shook her head. "I don't get it! You both mutually broke up with each other. Why do you have such a distaste in your mouth for him? I know he's still crazy about you."

"Really?" Hermione asked, remaining calm. "Is that why he's moved on so quickly… or why he came to sway good bye to me? No, Ginny, I think your mistaken."

"Hermione." Ginny patted her hand and gave her a wary look. "I know my brother better than to think he's over you. He loves you… and I think you two are wrong. I think you are both still in love and you would feel it too if you would just let yourself feel."

"I do let myself feel," Hermione protested. "I just would rather stay busy than to be alone in all misery."

Ginny cocked her head sideways and rolled her eyes. "Yes, Hermione, cleaning every nook and cranny of this place is going to make you feel better."

Hermione looked around the room. "It does though. I like accomplishing things."

Ginny sighed, frustrated. "Listen. Ron is falling apart… you need to save him."

Hermione shook her head. "I can't."

"Yes." Ginny pressed. "Yes you can!"

"I don't think I know how… It's been three months without speaking."

"You just need to see him and the words will come naturally."

"How do you know that he's still in love with me?"

Ginny shrugged. "I don't know… but I think it's a risk you should take. I hate seeing you two like this."

Hermione groaned. "What if I put it all out there and he doesn't feel the same way?"

"Then it's over and you can officially move on… but what if he is still in love with you and you guys never work things out?"

Hermione bit her lower lip. Ginny did have a valid point. "Okay, I'll… owl him."

Ginny sighed. "That's a start." She leaned over and gave her friend a hug. "So, tell me about working with Malfoy… is it just dreadful?"

Hermione laughed. "I haven't really had any encounters with him… except for today. I think I may have made a mistake. A childish mistake."

"Oh yeah? How so?"

Hermione preceded to tell Ginny what had happened in great detail. "And then he just stormed off, that's when you showed up."

"Weird," Ginny murmured.

Hermione nodded. "I feel immature."

Ginny shook her head. "It maybe was a tad immature, but I don't think I would have done anything different if I were in your shoes. He made life here hell for you."

"True."

"And he's a Malfoy."

Hermione grinned. "Also true." She yawned. "How long are you here for, Gin?"

"The weekend, if that's alright," Ginny replied.

Hermione beamed. "I would love that!"

"Good, because I wasn't really going to take no for an answer anyway." Ginny stuck out her tongue and smiled.

"I need to go find someone to draw up a bed for you."

"No, it's alright. At least for tonight I can sleep on the couch. It's comfortable anyway."

Hermione got up and went over to a cabinet and pulled out a thick quilt. "As long as you're okay with that… Here's a blanket."

Ginny took it and yawned. "Thanks, 'Mione. See you in the morning."

"Night, Gin."

---

The Mudblood had no right, Malfoy thought as he paced his dormitory. McGonagall approached him. Not the other way around. There's no way that it was out of pity that she hired him. Or was it?

"Fuck you, Granger!" Malfoy slammed his fist on his desk as he shouted out to no one but himself. He would never have these doubts placed in his mind if it weren't for her. He was trying his hardest to change. As much as it pained him, he knew he had to be the bigger person if she kept antagonizing him like this. He knew just what to do… he was going to smother her with kindness until she either were freaked out or goes crazy. Malfoy smiled to himself. There was no way he could get into trouble with McGonagall for this either. So, it was a plan. Operation Granger would commence as soon as possible.