Out of Hand by relativelypositive
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and I make no money from the use of J.K. Rowling's characters.
Chapter 12: The Power of Suggestion
Draco had heard his father swear. Of course he had. He had just never heard him swear at him, like that, about that subject.
When his father started teaching him the rules of courtship, he had always said "relations" when referring to sex. He'd never used the word "fuck" to describe sex in front of Draco before. His friends barely used it, preferring more colorful, fun, inventive euphemisms.
But his father was using it now, as though the only kind of sex Draco could ever possibly have with Hermione Granger would be dirty and meaningless.
He…he couldn't imagine it. And now he was trying to! Thanks again, Dad.
The most Draco had done was some pretty heavy snogging, and that was usually at parties where the alcohol was flowing generously. Even then, he was a controlled drunk, becoming more paranoid instead of laid back.
He thought about relations all the time. Just not with Granger. Not until this week.
Until now it was always a vague fantasy. The woman he was with could have been interchanged with any witch, and it was always the same scenario. Draco wouldn't call his constant fantasy fucking.
Probably since his fantasy was always about his first time.
He didn't want it to be rough, or fast, or shameful. That's what he thought of when he thought about the word "fucking."
Now he was trying to imagine it! An unfamiliar version of sex with an unfamiliar witch. He couldn't imagine being rough with any witch, let alone Granger, who, though she had once slapped him, seemed so nice.
So Granger slipped into his regular fantasy. She fit. Draco could see it quite clearly. He hated that. Draco's father would hate that more, so he decided to keep it to himself.
His father and Snape were whispering to each other when a scary looking young woman walked through the door to the Ever-Locked Room. Without opening it. She was wearing robes that had a mesmerizing swirling black pattern and her hair wasn't shaved, but cut so close to the scalp that you could see it. She had tattoos on her face and scalp that Draco found fascinating, but didn't know the significance of.
"Mr. Malfoy," the woman addressed him, "let's talk." She moved past the Ever-Locked Room and into a meeting room.
Draco followed his father into the room quickly, but Snape stayed outside. Snape did take a moment to pat Draco on the back and give him a reassuring nod. Draco was thrown off by the uncharacteristic display of support. Usually the only way you could tell Snape was on your side was that he wasn't actively trying to piss you off.
The three of them sat at one end of the table and wasted no time getting to the meat of the matter.
"I have in my possession your family scroll, Mr. Malfoy. Have you ever seen it before?"
"I have never had need. Where is it?"
"Mr. Malfoy, it is called a scroll, but really it is a cursed magical object. If I show this to you and you are unhappy with its conclusions, you will not be able to change it or destroy it."
"I'm not going to try to." Draco could tell his father was lying. If he didn't like what he saw something was going to be destroyed.
The Unspeakable reached into her robes and pulled out a small tablet with an almost smooth surface. The only adornment was at the very top, where Draco's family name was etched.
"Would you care to touch the scroll, Mr. Malfoy?" Draco could tell his father was fascinated and couldn't help himself. He reached out and gently traced the M in Malfoy. His name appeared, followed by Narcissa Black Malfoy in glowing red script. Underneath that were a few very pale names that Draco couldn't make out, but realized they were probably the witches his father had been interested in romantically at one time or another.
"You have a very solid marriage, Mr. Malfoy," the witch commented.
"My marriage does not require validation." He withdrew his hand. "Draco, touch the scroll."
Draco found he was eager to.
He reached over to it, knowing what it was probably going to reveal.
He watched his name etch itself into the stone, followed by a faint list of what Draco saw to be the witches he had snogged. It was a depressingly short list for a sixteen year old.
At the bottom Hermione's name stood out like a beacon not because there was anything different about it, but simply because it was there, and it shouldn't ever have been.
"No engagement. As long as you do not have any relations with the girl or speak about relations with the girl, this will pass."
Draco's father visibly relaxed.
XXXXXXXXX
"I will have you know that Draco is number one on the Young Witch's List of Desirable Prospective Husbands three years running! And the Marriage and Relationship Requirements and Inquiries Association of Greater Europe receives dozens of inquiries about him daily! MARRIAGE is a highly respected matchmaking association with incredibly high standards!"
"You're telling me that the young man that caused my daughter to trip, physically jumped away in order to make sure he didn't break her fall, watched her break her arm, then ran away, is a highly sought after mate?" Catherine had had enough of this woman's nonsense, and Hermione felt a surge of love for her mother.
"Is that what happened to your arm? It's a pity you're so clumsy."
Hermione thought her mother might slap Mrs. Malfoy, but at that moment the doorbell rang again.
Everyone froze.
Hermione excused herself and went to the door. She slowly opened it to reveal Professor McGonagall with an owl perched on her arm…and Claire Egglesfield, bopping along and humming loudly to a song on her iPod.
"Miss Granger, did you know that a Daily Prophet photographer was camped out in your bushes? I dispatched him for you."
"You killed a guy?" Claire's eyes widened and she pushed past Hermione to get to "safety." She peeked around Hermione's shoulder at Professor McGonagall.
Professor McGonagall gave her a suffering look and proceeded into the house in silence.
Hermione led the two into the parlor, where Mrs. Malfoy and Catherine were having a stare-down.
"Mrs. Malfoy," Professor McGonagall greeted with a slight nod. "I'd say it was a surprise to see you here, but this is your family's owl is it not?"
The owl took the opportunity to make its way to Mrs. Malfoy's arm. She untied the scroll, read it's contents, and…Hermione at first didn't know what it was…then she became undeniably scared.
Narcissa Malfoy was smiling at her.
"There is no engagement. So. Now, if Miss Granger can keep her mouth shut and her hands…hand…to herself for the foreseeable future, we will soon be able to put this all behind us."
"Wait, don't you want Hermione to marry your son? Why are you mad about the article, then?"
"Hermione's getting married? That's awesome! Is she preggers?" Everyone turned to stare at Claire. She gazed back interestedly at the little group. "And I know it's October, but it's not Halloween yet. The witch costumes are a little much, don't you think?"
"Claire, why don't you head into the kitchen? Grab yourself a drink," Catherine suggested strongly.
The entire group watched Claire stroll slowly to the kitchen.
"You must write a retraction," Mrs. Malfoy said to Hermione as she retrieved her cloak. "You really couldn't have picked a more effective way of embarrassing our family. Draco is our only child, our only son, and heir to the Malfoy empire. To have the best friend of Harry Potter snub him would be devastating. You will make it right."
"Is that the reason you came here? To insult my daughter and order her around?" Catherine asked in disbelief.
"I came to visit the parents of the girl that has been trying to trap my son in marriage. It is prudent, don't you think? Was I to know that your daughter would be here? She should be tucked away safely in the castle, where photographers and reporters couldn't reach her!"
"I must agree on that point," Professor McGonagall said. "That is indeed why I am here. Right now Hermione will be safer in the castle. There are some…issues that need to be taken care of there, and I need Hermione's help."
"Hermione isn't going anywhere until she receives an apology! Your son caused my daughter's injury, and you further insult her by insinuating that it was her fault? Unacceptable!" Catherine was red and breathing heavily.
Mrs. Malfoy tried to stare down Catherine Granger, but a tiny sliver of remorse broke through. She turned to Professor McGonagall. "I will make sure my son apologizes for the injury. Then you make sure they never speak to each other again. Teenagers can't be trusted. I'm hoping you, as the Head of Gryffindor House, will be able to arrange that with the girl."
She then turned to Catherine. "I am overjoyed that our families shall not be joined. Your manners are unrefined. And your husband is a slave to a lighted rectangle that appears to be permanently attached to his hand."
"Yeah, him and every fourteen year old girl in the world," Catherine added sarcastically. She couldn't help herself. She knew her husband was addicted to his iPhone, and that it got in the way of everyday life.
"Are you saying that your husband has no more self control than a fourteen year old girl?"
"Mrs. Malfoy, you are being rude!" Professor McGonagall admonished. "Since the danger has passed, I don't believe you have any more business here."
Narcissa Malfoy apparated without saying goodbye.
"The fuck? The 'shrooms should have worn off by now!"
Everyone turned to see Claire standing in the doorway, a half-eaten sandwich in one hand and a Diet Coke in the other.
Professor McGonagall asked Hermione to gather her trunk and led Claire back into the kitchen. As Hermione ran up the stairs she faintly heard her professor obliviate her childhood frenemy.
If there was one silver lining right now, it was that Claire couldn't follow her to Hogwarts.
XXXXX
Professor McGonagall apparated them both to Hogsmeade, then silently led Hermione back to the gates of Hogwarts.
There she stopped for a moment, gathering her thoughts.
"You really mustn't have any contact with Mr. Malfoy. After his apology he will have no reason to interact with you, and you will have no reason to seek him out."
Hermione thought she would be fine with skipping the apology, too.
As the duo entered the castle, Hermione could see a large group of students sitting in the Great Hall surrounded by blankets, books, games, and other random things.
"What's going on?" Hermione asked.
"That is one of the reasons I came to fetch you back early. It seems the Muggleborns took your article to heart. They have decided to peacefully protest. I believe this is a 'sit in.'"
Hermione smiled. It was a life goal of hers to affect social change!
"Oh, here comes the other reason. I apologize in advance."
Professor McGonagall disappeared as Hermione saw Rita Skeeter coming her way.
"There is the witch of the hour! Oh, aren't you just the most proud you've ever been of yourself!" The horrible reporter's Quick Notes Quill was scratching furiously.
Hermione felt trapped. Why hadn't Professor McGonagall warned her?
"Our readers want to know all about you! Just answer a few questions for me and you'll be the most popular witch in Britain!"
"I'll allow you one question, then you leave me alone." Hermione thought she was quite generous with her offer, considering the history between the two witches. She was willing to put up with one question to further her new cause.
The question took Hermione by surprise, and it pissed her off.
"As the witch that broke the heart of poor Draco Malfoy, tell us. What is the fastest way to get to a man's heart?"
Hermione answered spitefully.
"Rib spreader."
A/N:
Now that I have over 150 followers, do I count as a cult leader?
As always, thank you to my reviewers, brighteyes2889, werevampluvr, Tar-Silmarien, Chester99, KodeV, ASJS, shaymars, Red Devil, Nessie, Dracosgirl007, Somnus Verus, mary ann, and Rachelleislost96. For the record, if I type in your name and it doesn't show up on the website, and the punctuation is all there, I assume there is block on your username and I will no longer try to include it. It doesn't mean I don't appreciate the time you took to review my story, it just means that I'm new to the site and don't want to screw up on etiquette.