DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling. This fiction is purely for my own enjoyment and yours. No money is being made by me or anyone else from this fiction.
Author Note: Thanks again you to all who have reviewed and added this story to your favorite and alert lists! The agreement has been made and Draco and Hermione are trying out a friendship. But is that really all they want? And now their friends are starting to get suspicious. How will they pull this off? Read and find out!
Chapter 5
Hermione was grinning when Harry and Ron found her in the Great Hall, slowly picking at her supper. There were grins on their faces as well and their cheeks were flushed from the ride back from Hogsmeade. "Hermione!" Harry said brightly, sitting down at the seat across from her and grabbing a plate, "What's got you in a happy mood?"
Hermione blinked and grinned wider upon seeing the boys, as though she had just now realized they had arrived. Get your head out of the clouds, Hermione, she scolded herself mentally. "Hello boys! How was Hogsmeade?" she asked, smoothly by passing Harry's question.
Harry's brow twitched, indicating that he noticed how she had avoided his question, but before he could say anything, Ron burst out enthusiastically, "It was brilliant! Harry and I got loads of new stuff from Zonkos, I can't wait to try it all out!"
"Well, as long as it isn't on Filch's list Ron," Hermione said, her bossy tone taking over. "You are a prefect after all."
Harry laughed and Ron groaned. "I told Harry that dream hadn't changed you!"
Hermione frowned. What are they talking about? "What do you mean changed me?"
Ron opened his mouth again, but this time it was Harry who intervened. "We got loads of stuff from Honeydukes too," he said quickly. "We even got you some of those flossing candies your parents like so much."
The thoughtfulness of the gesture caught Hermione off guard and she was momentarily distracted. She smiled sweetly at the boys. "Aw, I can't believe you remembered! You didn't have to do that," she said. They really are the best.
Ron threw Harry a grateful glance and mouthed "nice one" before answering Hermione. "Sure we did," he said. "What are friends for?"
Hermione, who hadn't seen the silent exchange between the two boys simply nodded and her eyes sought out a certain blond-haired Slytherin at his House table. Ron and Harry, satisfied that potential disaster had been adverted, tucked into dinner. But Hermione was oblivious; her thoughts ran amok in her mind as she watched Draco from across the Hall. Ron's words echoed in her mind, what are friends for? She wondered if they would still think that if she told them about Draco. They'll be angry at first, certainly, but they will accept him eventually, won't they?
Her doubts lingered in the back of her mind and gradually her thoughts turned to how she had come to be in this situation in the first place. That potion shouldn't have linked us in the dream-state like that. There has to be another explanation. I wonder if Professor Snape has any theories…
And just like that a sudden idea came into her Hermione's mind. She sat up straighter and turned her gaze to the Staff table. If he is here tonight, I can ask him about it. Harry noticed Hermione's sudden in attention and looked at her worriedly.
"Hermione…" he started uncertainly. Harry had seen that look on Hermione's face before. She often wore it when talking about S.P.E.W. or other foolish or stubborn ideas that had taken hold in her mind. He knew once she got these ideas, it would be useless trying to talk her out of them. "Hermione, what are you planning?"
Hermione smirked a little when she saw Professor Snape sitting sullenly beside Professor Dumbledore. There you are, she thought. And you can't possibly refuse me with the Headmaster there. The thought solidified her plans. She turned towards Harry, determination filling her expression. "I'm going to ask Professor Snape if he will go over the antidote he created for us with me," she said. Harry gaped at her.
"You can't be serious!" he exploded. Beside him, Ron choked on the chicken leg he was ingesting.
"'arry's ri', 'ermione," Ron choked out. He banged on his chest a little to stop choking. "You can't ask to spend extra time with Snape, it's mental!"
Hermione pursed her lips and frowned at Ron's lack of table manners. Will he ever learn? "It's Professor Snape, Ron," she corrected. She sniffed haughtily. "I made my own antidote in my dream, but I woke up before I had a chance to use it. This is my chance to find out if it would have worked!"
"But Hermione," Harry said imploring her to see reason, "It's not as though this will turn up on our O.W.L.s, so why do you need to know?"
Hermione sighed. Can't you understand? "I know that, Harry. But this was a unique case and I'd like to study it. Who knows what kind of impact this could have on the Wizarding world? This could be something really useful for patients at St. Mungos!"
Ron made a face. "How?"
Hermione threw her hands up with an exasperated sigh. "I don't know, Ronald. That's why I want to study it." Ron and Harry just shook their heads, knowing it was futile to protest. She stood up. "And I am going to ask him right now."
Harry and Ron stared after her in horror and awe. Hermione snorted as she left, fairly certain of hearing Ron mutter, "She's completely mental, that one." Perhaps it is mental, she admitted to herself. But I'm not a Gryffindor for nothing. And this could be my only chance to find out why Draco and I connected like we did…
Her heart pounding loudly in her ears, Hermione ignored the curious glances of the students in the Hall as she made her way up to the Staff table. Professor Dumbledore, she noticed was also watching her progress, his blue eyes twinkling merrily, as if he already knew what her purpose in coming up here was. It wouldn't surprise me if he did know, she thought wryly.
With a respectful nod towards the Headmaster, Hermione came to a stop in front of Professor Snape. Nervously, she cleared her throat and asked, "Professor Snape?"
Professor Snape, who had be studiously ignoring Hermione as she made her way up to the Staff table, now looked up at her with a bored and slightly annoyed expression. "Yes, Miss Granger?" he said in a clipped tone.
Now that she had his attention, Hermione stood up straight and prepared to begin. Professor Snape almost rolled his eyes as he watched her get ready to start her tirade. "As I'm sure you remember, when I woke up in the Hospital Wing I had a lot of questions about the antidote you prepared for us." She paused for a moment, blushing at the memory of waking up. Draco and I were ridiculous! I can't believe we were flirting in front of the Professors…
She saw Professor Snape's eyes darken and she hurried to continue. Focus, Hermione. "If you also remember, I mentioned I had made my own antidote while stuck in the dream-world. I was wondering, Professor, if you would consent to reviewing the antidote with me and perhaps discuss any theories you might have pertaining to this particular case?" She bit her lip as she waited anxiously for his reply. She had been deliberately vague about the last bit she wanted to discuss, but she was confident Professor Snape would understand her desire for discretion. She cast a glance down the Staff table at Professor Umbridge—as if she deserves that title—and back to Professor Snape.
Professor Snape sneered slightly. "I fail to see why I should discuss this with you. It is of no particular concern of yours and I will not be giving you any sort of extra credit for such an activity."
Hermione flushed at his biting words, but her anger flared up in her. "But Professor, it is a concern of mine. Draco and I were a unique case and I want to know why I feel—why it happened! And I don't want extra credit." She ignored the dangerous flashing in his eyes and continued. "Plus, this is a brand new potion and I am curious about the process of developing it. Not to mention I'd like to know whether or not my antidote would have worked." She let out a breath, realizing she had said all that very quickly. Then she paled slightly. I just snapped at Professor Snape. Oh Merlin, he is going to kill me. Her eyes jumped nervously to the Headmaster.
"Miss Granger," Profess or Snape said in a dangerously low voice. "I do not give out my valuable time to insolent Gryffindors who merely want to satisfy their own insufferable curiosity. I suggest you visit the library. I believe you are well-acquainted with it." This time he did not hide his derisive sneer.
Hermione bristled. It's not fair! If I were one of his precious Slytherins he would…Hermione stopped. As it happened, she was friends with one of his "precious Slytherins." Abruptly she changed her tactic. "Please Professor, I already told Draco we study this tomorrow. We were counting on your expertise, Sir."
Professor Snape's eyes narrowed. "Draco is involved with this little scheme of yours?" he said sharply. Hermione bit her lip. He is now.
"Yes," she said simply, hoping Professor Snape wouldn't call her bluff. But if he agrees, I'll have to bring Draco regardless. Time to put our friendship to the test I suppose.
Professor Snape sneered again and opened his mouth probably to refuse again, but this time Professor Dumbledore interrupted. "I think that is a splendid idea, Severus. Perhaps with both Miss Granger and Mr. Malfoy helping, you can uncover the cause for this peculiar case." Hermione and Professor Snape looked at him in surprise.
I knew you would come through for me, Professor. Hermione turned expectantly towards Professor Snape, who suddenly looked as though he had swallowed something very sour. "Very well, Headmaster. Miss Granger, I will see you and Mister Malfoy in my office at two in the afternoon tomorrow, and not a minute after. Do not be late."
"Yes of course Professor, thank you," Hermione said, trying to hide her smile of triumph. I did it! Now I can find out what really happened that day in Potions. But just as she was about to walk away, Professor Snape called out to her.
"Don't forget to remind Mister Malfoy of the time of our discussion. I shall be expecting both of you or none at all, Miss Granger." He smiled nastily. Rats. He saw right through that, Hermione thought as she nodded. But Draco will agree to come, won't he? She threw a glance over to the Slytherin table and found Draco's cool grey eyes staring back at her. Her cheeks began to heat up. Quickly she shrugged off any doubts and hurried back to her spot at Gryffindor table to gather her things.
Across the Hall, Draco watched as Hermione tore her eyes away from his and hurried back to Gryffindor table. She barely stopped there long enough to grab her things before he was quickly moving out of the Great Hall, with Potty and Weasel looking concernedly after her. What are you up to now, Hermione?
Draco had been watching her ever since she entered the Great Hall. He had watched her sit down and scan the Slytherin table, smiling when her eyes came to rest on him and later as she absent-mindedly picked at her food and stared off into space. I wonder what she's thinking about, Draco had thought, his own thoughts wandering. Unfortunately they had been interrupted by the return of Pansy, who was hanging on the arm of Nott and looking thoroughly pleased with herself.
"Hello Draco," she had purred, leaning against Nott. "We had a fabulous time in Hogsmeade. Did you have fun studying with your little mudblood?"
Hearing that had caused Draco's blood to boil. "I'm sick of hearing that, Pansy!" he'd growled. I don't care how it happened or why, but the word "mudblood" is no longer included in my vocabulary. She had pouted and tried to make amends, but Draco just shoved her off, leaving her to whine to Nott. For some strange reason, Nott didn't seem to mind.
When he was able to resume watching Hermione he saw that she was now talking with Potty and Weasel while alternatively glancing up at the Staff table. What was she doing? Draco didn't have to wait long to find out, because despite the obvious horror on Potty and Weasel's face, Hermione had marched up to the Staff table, her head held high.
Draco watched with fascination as she talked with Professor Snape for several minutes. Judging by the looks of displeasure on his face, whatever Hermione was talking to him about wasn't making him happy. Then again, thought Draco, talking to any Gryffindor, especially a member of the "Golden Trio" rarely makes him happy. He continued to watch and saw the moment when Hermione had gotten what she wanted. Though she tried to hide it, Draco could see her smirk of triumph clearly from where he was sitting. Professor Snape must have seen it too, because seconds later he called to her and said something to make her shoulders droop. What did he say? Draco was burning with curiosity.
Now as she disappeared out of the Great Hall, Draco was sorely tempted to jump up and follow her. The worried, somewhat intense look she had given him right before leaving was plaguing his mind. Why did she do that? What was she talking with Snape about? Draco made a frustrated sound and looked down the table at his fellow Slytherins. Pansy was still glaring at him; Nott had his arm about her waist, Crabbe and Goyle were stuffing their faces, and Blaise flirting with Daphne Greengrass. He was sure none of them would care if he slipped away. Thinking quickly, he made his decision.
"Oi, Draco! Where you going?" Blaise called. Draco froze on his way from the table. He spun around. Damn.
"Back to the common room," he lied smoothly. "I think I've had all I can take of any Gryffindor today," he said, jerking his head towards the Gryffindor table, where Harry and Ron were currently in close conference with each other. Blaise followed his gaze and nodded.
"See you later then mate," he said and went back to toying with Daphne. Draco rolled his eyes and strode away, inwardly cursing Blaise. What right does he have to question me? Now I've lost time in catching up with Hermione! He hurried out of the Great Hall, searching in vain for a sign of Hermione or a hint as to where she was heading. There was none.
Sighing, Draco ran his fingers through his hair and thought for a moment. My best bet is the library, he decided. If she's not there she probably already went back to her common room, in which case I'll simply have to catch her tomorrow before breakfast. He quickly strode off in the direction of the library. It was mostly empty when he arrived there, since most students were either at supper or back in their common rooms. Draco scanned the front tables quickly and continued back to their table. Wait, I'm thinking of it as "our table" now? He shook off the thought and kept looking.
Seeing that she was nowhere to be seen, Draco sighed dejectedly and started back to the entrance of the library. I really thought she'd be here," he thought. He was so wrapped up in his thoughts about Hermione that he didn't notice her come flying around the corner until they crashed into each other. He was spewing curses before he even glanced at the person who knocked him to the ground. "Watch where you're going you idiotic—Hermione!" Draco half-gasped in surprise when he recognized the brown-haired girl lying on top of him.
"Hello to you too, Draco," Hermione said sarcastically. She pushed herself up, tucking a bit of fly away hair behind her ear and started gathering up her large stack of books.
Draco realized he was still gaping and quickly snapped his mouth shut. Really smooth, Draco. Shaking his head he hurriedly started helping her gather her books. "I thought you had left," he said dumbly.
Hermione looked at him with an amused smile. "Obviously I haven't. But you've caught me just in time. I was on my way out."
"Right." Draco furiously cast his mind about for something to say, cursing himself when his mind drew a blank. This never happens, what is wrong with me? He glanced at a few of the titles Hermione was holding, and frowned. "What's all this for?" he asked. He stared at the stack of books in Hermione's arms, all about potions. Didn't we finish the potions homework earlier today?
Hermione followed his gaze and blushed. That's odd. What on Earth could be embarrassing about a stack of potions books? She cleared her throat nervously. "I, uh, got them for research," she said. Draco had no idea why she suddenly looked nervous, but nodded for her to continue. She looked at her feet. "I want to study Neville's potion and the antidote. I want to know if our antidote would have worked and," she paused to take a deep breath, "I want to find out why we were connected in our dream when no one else was."
Draco looked stunned. He hadn't given the potion or the antidote a second thought now that they were back in reality, but now he was suddenly curious. "Is that what you were talking with Professor Snape about?"
Hermione nodded, and a strange look came over her. "Yes, I asked him if he would consent to review his antidote and ours with us and maybe discuss some theories about why we connected like did. He agreed to meet us tomorrow at two," she said.
Draco nodded absently, thinking on what she said. Suddenly her words caught up with him. "Wait, did you say he agreed to see us? As in, you and I together? Tomorrow?"
Hermione clenched her teeth and nodded. She was looking at Draco in an intense sort of way, as if testing him, daring him to say no. Draco looked at her. Of course I'll go, you twit. He smirked, suddenly feeling back on even ground. He decided to have a little fun. "Thought you'd just blackmail me into going, hmm? Bet you dropped my name to Snape to make sure you'd get the appointment." The way she suddenly pursed her lips and clenched her fists around her stack of books told Draco he had been spot on. A nice maneuver, Hermione. But you'll have to work harder if you want it to work on me.
"It's Professor Snape, Draco," she snapped irritably. Suddenly her face cleared and she laughed. She looked at Draco and laughed.
"What?" said Draco, uncertain as to what had set her to laughing. What did I miss?
Hermione grinned. "It's just that I always say that Harry and Ron and I never expected to ever have to say it to you," she said, the laughter still in her voice.
Draco frowned. He didn't like being compared to Potter and Weasley in any context, and he certainly wasn't anything like them. He opened his mouth to make a retort, but Hermione beat him to the punch.
"So you will come tomorrow, right?" Suddenly her brown eyes were big and pleading and entirely too close to him for coherent thought.
"Of course," Draco heard himself say, and Hermione beamed.
"Great! I knew you would. Thank you so much! So I'll see you tomorrow, yeah? I'll meet you at our table after lunch. Now I have to get back to the common room, I have so much reading to do before tomorrow; I don't want to forget something during our meeting with Professor Snape…" she trailed off and her eyes glazed over with the multitude of thoughts running through her head. Draco just stared, trying to process it all. Hermione shook her head. "I'd better go. Good night, Draco!" And then she was gone.
Draco stood frozen in place for a few minutes, puzzling out what had just happened. He was pretty sure she had somehow just out maneuvered him. He looked up and stared at the empty space between bookshelves where Hermione had been standing only moments before. What just happened?