Chapter Nine

Third Person POV

"You have got to be kidding me! Are you serious?" Granger yelled, causing Draco to flinch at the pitch of her voice. "Do you have any idea how terrified she is of being here? She wouldn't be able to handle something like this!" she went on, not giving the blonde a chance to speak. "That's why I need your help!" he said, causing the brunette to stop her pacing. "I want to get to know her, become her friend before escalating to anything more. I don't want to push her into anything too quickly. I don't want to push her into anything if possible. Now, are you willing to help me or not?" he asked her and she sighed.

"It's not like I have much of a choice! If I don't, you'll end up dead! I can't live with something like that on my hands." she said, falling into the chair she'd been sitting in earlier. "What do you want me to do?" she asked after a moment of thought. He smiled a thank you and straightened his posture. "I just want your help to get closer to her." he told her simply and he could hear the gears in her mind working. "How well's your Astronomy?" she asked and he gave her a confused look.

"Astronomy is Taylor's worst subject. She needs a tutor. I told her I'd tutor her, but if you can, then that's your way in." she said and Draco was going to thank her, but she stopped him. "Now you listen before you thank me for anything, Malfoy. I like Taylor. She's a nice person. I personally don't think you deserve her after everything you've done, no matter why you did what you did. If you hurt her, in any way, I will personally hex you so you'll never be able to shag for the rest of your life." she threatened.

"I know Veela are extremely protective of their mates, but I'm warning you now. If there's any chance of you hurting her, I can guarantee my threat wont be empty." she added and Draco nodded. "Thank you." he let out lowly and sagged into his chair, glad that Granger was willing to help him. "So, is this why you blew up at Parkinson at dinner?" Granger asked with a chuckle. "Yeah, well, I've never really like her much anyway. Hanging out with her was mostly just for looks." he confessed, looking a little sheepish about admitting this.

"I don't think anyone really likes Parkinson anyway. She's always been a bit of an attention whore." Granger said, pulling her book back into her lap and Draco chuckled. He wasn't about to say it out loud, but he completely agreed with her.

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Taylor's POV

Second day of classes and it was already Friday. I could never understand why schools thought it was a good idea to start the school year in the middle of the week. Not that I was complaining. I looked up from the book Heromine had let me borrow, Hogwarts: A History, when I felt someone sit down next to me. "Morning, Heromine." I greeted and she smiled. There was something in her eyes when she looked at me, but I couldn't place it. "Morning, Taylor." she greeted, placing her bag on the floor next to mine.

"I'm glad to see you're enjoying the book." she laughed and I nodded. "Yeah. I didn't know this school had so much history." I said, marking my place and shutting the book. "Oh, I think I found you a better tutor for Astronomy." she said suddenly, causing me to jump a little. "Really? Who?" I asked, taking a bite of my eggs. "Draco Malfoy. As much as I hate to admit it, he's done better in Astronomy than me for years. But," she said, pointing her fork at me. "It's the only class he's better at than me." she said and I laughed. "I'll keep that in mind." I said.

"So, when can I meet with him?" I asked and she gave me an odd look. "What?" I asked, not sure why she was giving me that look. "You're willing to be tutored by him even after what Neville and I told you last night?" she asked, lowering her voice and sounding surprised. "Sure. I mean, he's never done anything to me and he even helped me the other day to find potions. He's never done anything to me, so I guess I can't judge him." I explained, leaving out the part that I really wanted to see him again.

"Well, your likely to have at least one class with him, so you can ask him yourself. He already told me he'd do it. All you have to do is ask him when and where." she said and I frowned. That wasn't good. Just my luck that I'd have to initiate conversation. "Is everything alright?" I heard Heromine asked and I forced a smile to my face. "Of course. Thanks by the way." I answered. I leaned down and grabbed my bag. "I'll see you in Arithmancy." I said, waving to her before leaving the Great Hall.

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Just my luck, he was in five of my classes. And even more of my luck, all of the teachers had finished their seating charts and I was seated next to him in all of them. In Charms and Transfiguration, I was surprised. In Defense Against the Dark Arts and Astronomy, I was annoyed. And in Potions, I'd come to the conclusion that every single teacher had it in for me and wanted to see me die of embarrassment.

As soon as class was dismissed in every single one, I made sure I was out of there as quickly as possible without making a spectacle of myself.

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Third Person POV

Draco didn't know how to react when Taylor rushed out of every class they shared. He knew Dumbledore had talked with the teachers about his "situation", but he didn't think they'd have her sit next to him. He was having a hard time deciphering her emotions. There was a mixture of surprise, annoyance, worry, and fear. He didn't know how he felt when he could feel those emotions tumbling off of her in waves and crashing into him.

He knew he shouldn't take it too serious, but he couldn't help but feel rejected. "You're going to have to make the first move, Malfoy. She hasn't said it out loud, but I don't think she knows how to talk to you. She looks nervous." Granger whispered to him before she followed Potter and Weasley out of the potions classroom. With a sigh, he packed his books in his bag and followed the rest of the students out of the room. He paused outside the door and caught sight of a flash of red hair. Just as he was about to follow after it, he felt someone clap him on the shoulder.

"I can't believe Slughorn stuck you with the new Gryffindork!" he heard Blaise laugh and he felt his temper flare. He ducked out from his best friend's hold and gave him a bad look. "Did I say something wrong?" Blaise called when Draco stalked away from him and in the direction the flash of red hair had gone.