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"No. No, you have to- Oh for goodness sake, Malfoy!" Valerie yelled.
"Hey, it's a lot harder than it looks!"
Valerie scoffed. "Please. I learned to do this before I could tie my shoelaces."
"Well, why don't you put the damn lights on the tree then!? Better yet, use magic!"
"Because it looks much nicer if you do it manually!"
"So sorry that I'm a wizard and I use magic!"
Valerie and Malfoy continued to fight and argue over light placement, while Hermione, Blaise, and Felix looked on in amusement. It was a week into December, and all of Hogwarts was alive for the coming Christmas.
The group of Slytherins and Gryffindors that had slowly turned into friends was in the Room of Requirement. The Muggle-borns and Potter had started talking of Christmas traditions and how much fun they had decorating, while the Purebloods gave them strange looks. They had house-elves for such nonsense. Of course, the Muggle-borns being who they were, decided to make a new tradition of decorating as Muggles with their friends.
Really they had just drug everyone to the Room of Requirement, told them to start stringing up lights and such without wands, and it went from there.
Obviously it was much more fun to watch than to participate.
"-and anyway, how are these lights working?! Wizards can't be around anything electronic!"
"Really, Malfoy! It's called magic! They glow on their own!"
"Oh, right, because that..."
Blaise laughed. "You know Granger, you might want to jump in there. Your boyfriend up against a Vampire?"
Veela scoffed. "Forget the fact that she's a Vampire. It's Malfoy against Valerie. You're going to lose Lover-Boy before you get the chance to jump his bones."
Hermione felt her cheeks redden. "Who's to say that, that I haven't? Jumped his bones, that is?"
Veela shared a look with Blaise and Pansy, and the three burst out laughing. Ginny gave a small chuckle, and Ron and Harry shuddered.
"Please. Besides the fact that you still reek of virgin, you can't even keep from blushing about the mere mention of sex."
"Well, for all you know I'm acting."
Veela gave her a rakish smile. "But you're not."
Hermione opened her mouth for a rebuke, but she couldn't think of anything. They did have a point. And it wasn't worth it. Maybe.
Ugh. The truth was that she couldn't, not think about sex. For crying out loud, she was dating Draco Fucking Malfoy. If that face didn't inspire indecent thoughts, then there was something wrong with you.
Hermione didn't play this to anything, however. Her brain was just making up for lost time. She had a boyfriend, one that she was serious about. She had been serious about Ron, but somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew they wouldn't work out.
And for Merlin's sake, they'd only been dating for a month! She wasn't ready to get 'all hot and heavy' as Valerie put it with someone she'd only been dating for a month. Malfoy or otherwise.
And if one wanted to be technical about things, they'd really only been together for about two weeks.
That first week, they didn't get a chance to see each other. Malfoy had told her to stick a label on it, and she had to keep from either shouting with glee or falling down from sheer shock. She had gone back to her dorm, too excited to sleep. Exhaustion overtook at some point, and she woke up thinking about seeing Malfoy.
It had been a Sunday then. The Halloween ball and Samhain had been on the Friday before, with Valerie and Felix's' explanations the next day. If she was being honest, she was still reeling from those events as well. That wasn't something one just forgot about when your crush asked you out. Forever, anyway.
She had thought about seeing Malfoy later that day, but she never got the chance. McGonagall had gone to her about tutoring a group younger years for the day in Transfiguration. Hermione had been disappointed, but had taken the tutoring job with all seriousness.
That Monday, Hermione had been late for breakfast yet again - the tutoring session had taken far longer than she thought - and she had to sprint down to Potions class. They were back in their normal seats again, with their major potion project all done.
She and Malfoy had made amazing marks, thank you very much. Their potion did everything it was supposed to, and had revived a dying frog. Professor Slughorn had said that her and Malfoy's report was one of the most detailed and well prepared pieces he'd ever read.
Ron and Pansy's potion had gone well, also. Their potion was a masterpiece, but their report was not as concise on some points. Nevertheless, they received great marks as well.
Valerie and Blaise received a few marks below that of Hermione and Malfoy. Their potion was able to help a pygmy puff that had gotten a bit too close to Neville's and Seamus' workspace.
As for Felix and Harry's grade, well it was alright, but Ron and Pansy had made more marks than the two boys. Apparently Felix had left Harry in charge of writing the report after gathering up the information and making most of the potion. Felix had looked at Hermione after class and said, "For him being the Boy Wonder and supposedly saving all wizard kind, he's rather lazy." Hermione had laughed and given him an affectionate pat.
Anyway, everyone was back in their normal seats, so Hermione didn't get to talk to Malfoy. That didn't mean that they kept from looking at one another, but they didn't get to talk after Potion's class either. Slughorn had called her back to his desk to say how proud he was of her work and that she had put her relationship (the old one, obviously) to the side for her education. She went to her next class, did the work and was headed to the Great Hall for lunch when Malfoy grabbed her and pulled her into a classroom.
"Malfoy!" She exclaimed.
"Granger," he said with a smirk. "I'm afraid you're going to be quite disappointed. I didn't pull you in here for a secret tryst."
She swatted him on the shoulder. "Prat."
He chuckled before getting serious. "In all honesty Granger, I think we need to talk."
She sighed. "That's never ended well with us."
He nodded his head. "Yes."
"Alright when?"
He blew out air. "Well, it unfortunately can't be now. This talk is going to last a lot longer than lunch."
"Okay, I agree."
"And this weekend was a Hogsmeade visit, so..."
She gave him a small smile. "So..."
"Hermione Whatever Your Middle Name Is Granger-"
"It's Jean."
"-would you like to go with me on a date this weekend?"
Her small smile grew wider. "I'd love to."
He smiled back at her. "Great. Until this weekend."
She laughed. "We have Potions together."
"Yes, well, I um, won't be there this week."
She cocked her head. "Why?"
He didn't answer right away.
Draco didn't know if he was ready to talk about the sessions quite yet. He knew he'd tell her, eventually. If this relationship - even though it was a relationship, it was still weird to him to call it that - lasted.
So he told her the truth in a lying sort of way.
"There are things I need to discuss with McGonagall."
Like why he missed his sessions the past couple of times.
She didn't believe him for a second, but she didn't really have any place to insert in his private life yet.
Malfoy had left her after a peck on the cheek, and they had gone to lunch.
True to his word, Hermione did not see Malfoy at all during Potions. So she busied herself with work and school. She also talked to Valerie about everything that happened in the Samhain Circle.
As she had said, that kind of thing didn't just go away. And frankly she was worried about her friend. Valerie had explained the surface of things. About the Communities politics and such. Information Hermione was sure she could find out if she looked hard enough. But she hadn't really explained things about herself.
She did say things about who her Maker was, the events around her Turning, but once again, those were surface facts.
She and Valerie had gone to the side of the lake to study. Valerie wasn't as studious as Hermione, but she was serious about her schoolwork.
"So you knew Rett before you were Changed?"
Valerie had been writing on a piece of parchment, and her quill had stopped abruptly. She looked up at Hermione. "Wow. You British wizards just throw subtlety right out the window, don't you?"
Hermione didn't relent.
Valerie sighed. "Yeah. I did. He was a professor at Salem. He taught me everything I know about wandless and non-verbal magic." She gave a cruel smile. "It's funny. He was my favorite teacher. Sad part is, I went to him when I was feeling insecure. I hadn't known Felix at the time, and I always felt that high school girls were too flighty with the information given to them. He knew everything about me, and I felt that there was a bond or something between us."
She was quiet for a moment, looking out across the lake.
"I don't really have a problem with it, you know? I mean, being what I am. I can deal with having to drink blood - or potions in my case - and having another side, but...it's everything else. How people treat me. I'm judged before people get to know me. The Vampire thing is actually pretty cool. I could get over that. It's the betrayal. How you think you know someone, and they turn around and shove you off a cliff to fatally injure you."
Hermione nodded before she had thought of something else.
"What's happened between you and the Vampire, Marcus?"
"Ha!" Valerie burst out. "That is just plain old jealousy. Petty jealousy. Marcus wanted to be the next Vampire Monarch, and I kinda took that away from him. Needless to say, he was none too happy. There's really no other history other than that."
"Did you ever find it odd that the Queen chose you?"
Valerie laughed. "Of course I did! In fact, I'm still questioning why she did the things she did. She never told me why."
Valerie shrugged and went back to her work.
"There was another question I had," Hermione started.
"About what?"
"At the Samhain Circle. I noticed the Centaurs weren't there."
Valerie snorted. "Ah. You see the Centaurs believe that any sort of official government can be corrupted. And they don't want to deal with the corruption. So they stick to themselves. They respect the Community and our laws, but it's one of those 'you leave them alone, they leave you alone' relationships. If something major were to happen though, I'm sure they'd be a part of it somehow."
"Valerie...about that woman. In the clearing with me, and, uh, Malfoy...what was that?"
Valerie wrung her hands. "You remember what I said about Vampires and marks? If a Vampire is marked, then they belong to the being that marked them because any Vampire who allows his or her enemy to close enough to mark them deserves no less than to be owned. The only way to get rid of that label is to kill the person who marked you, or try to heal the scar, which is no easy feat if you are a Vampire. Well, if the Vampire Monarch marks you, it is a sign of great shame. You can't ever get rid of the markings, because once a Vampire drinks from the cup for Penance, if affects your DNA. That's the simplest way I can explain it. It doesn't allow for scar tissue to heal. And biting a being would leave a little of that DNA behind, making it impossible to remove.
Anyway, it's sort of the official way to exile a Vampire from the Community. Excommunication. The greatest shame. That's what that was."
"So she can't ever return?"
Valerie shook her head. "Not unless she wants to die."
"Seems a bit harsh."
Valerie gave her a disbelieving look. "The woman was going to drain you dry and kill you, and you're worried about me being harsh."
"Well, not just that. The entirety of it."
"That's the Community, Hermione. There are things I would love to change, but some things are just tradition."
Hermione couldn't argue with that. Many things in the wizarding world were tradition, like having a house-elf, and Hermione disagreed with that. There were some things you couldn't change, but Hermione believed that if one tried hard enough, they'd get somewhere.
"Oh, Ginny was going to ask you about the dresses Thenora gave us. Or made us. Does she want them back?"
Another laugh. "Uh, no. Those were your dresses originally. She just made a few alterations. They are yours to keep."
They had finished their work in silence after that, enjoying the nice breeze that blew by.
Valerie had watched in amusement when Malfoy had paced back and forth across the carpet, talking to himself. When she had come down the stairs from her dorm, he hadn't noticed. He hadn't even noticed when she sat down in his spot and watched him. Blaise had come in a bit after, a pensive look on his face. Pansy had stridden up to Valerie, having come down from the dorm herself, and gave her a smile.
"Look at our boys. Growing up, discovering girls." She wiped away a fake tear. "Makes me so proud."
Valerie laughed. "At this point I'm not holding my breath. Malfoy is a stride away from tearing a hole in the carpet, and Zabini still hasn't made a move."
"Hey! I've got it all formulated. I just have to execute my plan. Which by the way, involves all of you three, so be prepared," Zabini said.
"And I'm not tearing a hole in the carpet," Malfoy had said, coming to stand in front of the two girls.
"Right. I don't get why you're so nervous Malfoy. You and Granger are technically dating."
"Except for the fact that we've never been out on a date," Malfoy countered.
Valerie gave a small nod and pursed her lips. "True. So I don't know why you're so nervous. I'd think you'd be excited."
Malfoy ran a hand through his hair. "I am, it's just...well, every time we're alone and we talk, we end up fighting."
The group of Slytherins was quiet, when Valerie sighed.
"Malfoy. Draco. Look, that's how yours and Hermione's relationship is. You take each other's crap and dish it right back. It's like...debate club! But a relationship version."
They all gave her strange, skeptical looks. She sighed again. "Look, the formula isn't foolproof. Somewhere down the road you two are going to have to tone down on the fighting. But you guys usually fight about something important, something you are passionate about. And that's because you don't know each other's side."
Malfoy looked at her. "Sooooo..."
Valerie threw her hands up in the air. "SO what I'm meaning is that you guys need to talk! Not about your relationship or about you two making out, but about each other! Find out her favorite color for cryin' out loud! Simple stuff. Where you spent your childhood summers, blah blah blah. You two have talked, but you haven't TALKED."
Malfoy had continued to look at her for a moment before saying, "Alright." He had grabbed his robes and left. Valerie let a small smile form across her lips before she had whirled around and pointed an accusing finger at Blaise.
"And as for you, go talk to Luna. Alone!" She left the common room as well.
Pansy and Blaise had not spoken for a moment. They just stared after the departed Slytherins.
"You know, one of these days, she's going to be stuck in some ridiculous love situation," Pansy started.
"-and we'll be there to give her hell," Blaise finished.
Draco strode forward with purpose.
He made it about 10 feet.
Hermione Granger. Hermione Fucking Granger. He was going on a date.
With Hermione Fucking Granger.
He didn't know how to feel. Happy, of course, but he was also very nervous. Nervous as hell. He could remember the last time he felt this nervous. His induction ceremony into the Death Eaters. That was more of fear filled nervousness than anything, but the levels were similar. He didn't even consider standing Granger up, but he had to stand there a moment more before he felt he could continue walking.
He heard a sigh and felt an arm link with his. "You know, it's perfectly natural to be nervous about this. It's both of your guys' first date. If we are being technical."
True. The whole thing with Daphne was just physical, and...He'd never been on a date.
He was so glad Blaise wasn't there.
Valerie chuckled. "Admit it, Malfoy. You need help."
He didn't know what to do. Draco was worried about the date being awkward with lots of silences. What the hell was he supposed to talk about? What subjects were off limits? Gah! Put him in a room with females, and he'd have them shagged and satisfied. He could seduce women no problem, but dating? That was a whole different area.
He did need help. But damn him if he was going to ask the smug Vampire to his right for it.
As if she read his mind - and he wouldn't doubt if she had, dammit - she smiled and said, "You don't need to ask me for help. In fact, it's not me you need to ask."
He stopped in his tracks.
"No. Not just hell no, but fuck no!"
"Oh, come on! You need help with dating, and you know the perfect guy to help you!"
Draco groaned. "No. I'm not doing it."
She gave him a wicked smile. "Ohhhhhh, my sweet naive Malfoy. You act as if you have a choice."
Valerie had drug him to Gryffindor tower. She spoke the password and the portrait swung open and they entered.
Felix was sitting on the couch, doing homework in front of the fire. There were a few other kids in there, but they were in their own corner, so there was some privacy.
Draco hadn't been in the Gryffindor tower. Ever. It was weird. It was covered in red of course and there were plush chairs that people could sit in. It was smaller than the Slytherin Common room, but it seemed homier. Draco turned to Valerie, and she walked up to Felix.
"No," he had said, not taking his eyes off the paper.
"You don't even know what we're here for," Valerie complained.
Felix picked his book up off the table, so he could look closer at it. "I don't need to know what it is. Just no."
Valerie had a contemplative look on her face. She stroked her chin and smiled with sharp teeth.
"You know Felix, I'm sure Malfoy here would just LOVE to hear about how you lost your virginity."
Felix's head had shot up, his eyes wide.
Valerie turned to Draco. "It's funny, because everyone goes on and on about a Veela's prowess and he-"
Felix scrambled off of the couch, and had run over to Valerie. He slapped a hand around her mouth, the other wrapped around her waist. He picked her up and spun her around so that Draco was looking at Felix's back. Felix looked back at Draco.
"What do you want?"
Draco smirked. "Actually I'm interested in the story. What was that Valerie?"
Valerie spoke, but it came out as just a jumbled mess. She managed to get back around, but Felix kept his hand and arm where they were.
"Valerie, so help me," Felix sighed.
Valerie laughed.
"So what do you want, Malfoy?"
Draco rubbed his head. "Uh, it's about my date with Granger. I, uh-"
"You have no fucking idea how to date women, do you?"
Draco paused. "Not in the slightest."
Valerie muttered something, but they did not understand a word. Valerie had tried to cross her arms, but Felix's arm forbade that. Valerie rolled her eyes, and bit Felix's fingers.
"Ow! Son of a bitch!" Felix waved his hand around.
Valerie crossed her arms then. "Oh, please."
Draco looked at Felix's hand. "Uh, Valerie. Won't that-"
"No." She pointed to her mouth. "Fangs were retracted, first off. Secondly, you can't Turn a Veela into a Vampire."
"Why not?"
"Because. It'd be like turning a wizard into a Muggle."
Draco had raised a brow.
Valerie dismissed it. "Not important. What's important is the date. Felix?"
Felix gave Valerie a withering glare. "Look. The best thing you can do is just be Malfoy. Don't try to be all charming and nice and shit."
"Are you saying I'm not nice and charming?"
Valerie and Felix shared a look.
"There have been complaints. Look, Malfoy, just talk. Everyone freaks out about their first time-" Valerie snickered. Felix shot her another glare. "First time DATING. Everyone freaks out about it. Just...go on the date. If there's anything there, it should go smoothly."
Draco still wasn't assured.
"Look if it will help, we'll go with you. Not like a double date, but we'll just follow. And if you need help, just find us real quick."
"Don't you think that's just weird?"
Valerie looked at him. "You're Draco Malfoy, a human who happens to control magic who's befriended a Veela, a Vampire, and you are going out on a date with Hermione Granger. I hardly think Felix and I following behind could add any weirdness."
"Point taken," Malfoy had said.
"Now, go meet Granger by the Great Hall, and Felix and I will just happen to be going to Hogsmeade as well."
Draco nodded. "Ok." Taking in a deep breath, Draco went over to the portrait leading out and left. He went down the stairs, heading to the Great Hall. Before he went down the last one, he turned around to Valerie and Felix. They gave him thumbs up. He descended the steps.
Valerie and Felix had watched as Malfoy met with Hermione and left.
Valerie smirked and crossed her arms. "I don't know about you, but I believe the Hogwarts Elves have chocolate cake."
"Forget cake. They have ice cream."
Draco had managed not to make the date a total disaster. Somehow. They had gone to the bookstore in Hogsmeade where Granger started fawning over the new edition of Hogwarts: A History. He found out that was her favorite book. Her excitement diminished when she looked at the price, and Draco did not like that.
"So what's your favorite book, Malfoy?"
When he didn't answer, she looked over at him. "Malfoy?"
He sighed and stared at the floor. He muttered some answer that she couldn't hear.
"Beg pardon?"
"It's...Fantastical Beasts and Where to Find Them. The Dragon Edition."
Hermione looked at him before cracking a smile. It had been obvious that she was trying not to laugh. It didn't work out. She burst out laughing and continued to do so for a few minutes.
"You know, I'm sure it's not too late. If my information is correct, Blaise has yet to make a move on Luna." She started laughing again.
He narrowed his eyes at her. "Really Granger? This is why no one knows my favorite book."
She sobered up a bit and after a few deep breaths, she was able to stop laughing.
"Oh, don't start a pity party, Malfoy. I actually think it's kind of cute. Not to mention surprising."
"It's surprising? What did you expect my favorite book to be? One Hundred and One Ways to Terrorize Your Peers?"
"Well, if that was an actual book, that sure explains a lot."
They had left the bookstore talking about what kinds of books they preferred and some of the worst books they had read. She preferred to read history textbooks, as well as books that would further her magic. She didn't read fiction much, but there were a few times that she read them. It she did read fiction, she read adventure novels. Malfoy had inquired about her reading romance novels. He got smacked on the head for that one.
Draco himself was more of a Potions book reader with the occasional history. He did like to check up on the latest charms and spells, however. He didn't really read fiction. To be honest, there weren't that many fiction writers that were wizards, and he'd never been to a Muggle store before. Hermione had brightened up as she explained some of the best Muggle authors there were, and the different genres.
"You should really read a few of those vampire novels. I'm sure Valerie would appreciate that. Heck, we could probably get Felix in on it."
Speaking of the smug bastard and the Vampire from Hell, he had not seen them since he got to Hogsmeade. Draco had figured that they were lurking somewhere, but waiting to see if he needed help. So far, he didn't.
After the bookstore, they had gone to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. Fred and George had expanded far and wide since the war, and they had bought one of the open spaces for a test run in Hogsmeade. Needless to say, business was booming. Hermione went in with a moping Draco following behind her. He didn't want to go into the store. He might bump into a Weasley.
Turns out, there were five of them.
Ginny, Ron, Fred, George, and Bill were standing in a circle, laughing and talking. Ginny was the first to see the pair.
"Hermione!" She walked over to her brown haired friend and gave her a hug. "And Malfoy?" Ginny looked between the two. She had given them a knowing smile. "Any reason why you two are here together?"
"Uh..." Hermione had faded off.
She and Malfoy had not discussed the particulars of them dating. It sounded weird, referring to Malfoy and herself as dating. But there was really no other way to describe it.
They certainly did not say whether or not they would make the relationship public.
"Head Boy and Head Girl stuff," Malfoy put in smoothly.
"Really?"
"Yes. There was a thing that McGonagall needed to, but did not have the time to do it."
"Ah," Ginny said. "What is it you have to do?"
"To see whether or not that the students needed another escort to Hogsmeade. You know, supervise," Hermione said.
Ginny looked at Hermione. Malfoy, she could believe. She didn't know him that well, but Hermione she could tell was lying. She felt a stab of hurt at the fact, and wondered why she had to lie to her. She let it slide, though. Ginny would find out eventually.
"Oh. Ok." Ginny smiled at the two. "You're just in time! Fred and George have come up with a new product!"
Hermione gave Ginny a sideways look. "It's not another Dream Inducing Butterscotch is it?"
Ginny laughed. "No. They're calling them Monoculars. It allows you to see through walls and things that might obstruct your view. You can only use one eye though."
"Wow! That's fantastic!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Yeah, they're already working on making a way so that you can hear what's being said as well."
"Well, they already have Extendable Ears."
Ginny nodded. "True. But that only goes so far."
Hermione laughed. "That was a horrible pun, Gin."
"Hermione!" Hermione turned around to see the twin Weasley boys standing there with smiles on their faces. "Just the witch we wanted to see," they said together.
Hermione's brow crinkled. "Why?"
"For a test run, of course!" George had said.
"We need you-" Fred started.
"-along with Ginny and Ron-"
"-to see if our Monoculars work!"
"You too Malfoy!"
Malfoy smiled before it had slowly faded. No one seemed to notice the change in his demeanor. The twins were showing each person how to work with the Monoculars. Hermione had looked over, after fiddling with the Monoculars. She looked at Malfoy.
"Are you alright?" She asked, concern in her eyes.
"What? Oh, yes. I'm fine."
From the look she had given him, she did not believe him. Malfoy looked around to make sure no one had been paying attention to them and pulled her off to the side.
"It's just...They're being nice. And after everything...I don't, I don't know. Forget I said anything."
Hermione went to reassure him, but he turned away and started scanning the shelves.
She stayed, talking to the Weasleys a bit more. It turned out Bill was there because he had gotten promoted to Head Curse Breaker at Gringotts. Hermione congratulated him, happy for her friend. Malfoy had finished his scan of the shop and gestured toward the door. Hermione had nodded her head, and they left, with Hermione giving her goodbyes.
"You know, you could have talked to them," she said once they had gotten outside.
"Granger, sometimes-"
"No. I know you and the Weasleys don't have the most pleasant of histories-"
Malfoy snorted. She ignored him.
"-but that doesn't mean you can start trying to, I don't know, bridge the gap," she finished. She had thought back to the moment in the Great Hall with Ginny using those exact words. And Ginny was right.
It was time for old rivalries and any past hatred to fade. The world that Hermione, or any wizard in Britain, knew was over. It had been shattered. Hermione realized it had never really been the world she thought it to be. Just an illusion, one that Voldemort had created until he got his power and body back.
Malfoy sighed. "That is easier said than done, Granger. You can't just erase the past."
"No, you can't. But you can try to make an effort to change the future. I'm not saying invite the Weasleys over for tea, or anything. Start small. Try to be a little more supportive with Pansy and Ron."
Malfoy may have not said things - and it was clear that he wanted to - but it was obvious that he was not comfortable, or that he approved of the couple. He didn't want to spoil Pansy's happiness, though. It was clear she was infatuated with the red-haired git, but Malfoy figured that it was their 'honeymoon' period. Malfoy did not want the relationship to go sour, and him have to beat the living hell out of Weasley. Regardless, he could try. If not for Pansy, then for Granger.
"Fine. But I make no promises," he grumbled.
Hermione smiled.
They eventually made their way to the Three Broomsticks. Draco gathered a couple of seats for him and Granger, and ordered a couple of Butterbeers. They sat across from each other, sipping on their drinks. They had not talked for a minute, settling comfortably in the warm tavern.
It had been a calm afternoon. Considering that it had been a Hogsmead weekend, it had been tame. There had been a few other groups of students there, caught up in their own activities and conversation to notice the Head Boy and Girl. A couple of loners had sat at the bar, talking to the waitress.
"So..." Hermione had started.
And it went from there.
It wasn't what Draco was expecting. He thought there would be some big story, one made for the history books.
There wasn't. Granger's back story was - dare he say it - ordinary.
Granger had grown up in London with Muggle parents as an only child. There wasn't any big, 'she was an outsider' or 'she was the weird girl' or anything. She blended in with the crowd.
"Sure," she had said, "there were times I felt different. Not really an outsider, but, I don't know, like I was meant for something different."
Granger didn't have a big revelation either. No schoolmates were turned into a mouse.
"My biggest moment was shelving books without touching them. Needless to say, my mum was a bit freaked out. A little while later, Dumbledore showed up, and well..."
Granger still kept in touch with a few Muggle friends, ones from the summer. She usually spent her holidays at her maternal grandmother's house.
Normal background.
And yet, she was an extraordinary girl.
Their conversation went fantastic. Until she asked, "So what about you, Malfoy?"
Of all the scenarios that Draco played in his head, he didn't actually think that he would have to talk about himself.
"Uhm, yes, well..." Where to start? Granger had talked about her childhood, and it was easy for her. She didn't have his parents.
Now his parents didn't place him in Death Eater Camp, or have him torture small animals. Actually his childhood was a happy one. His father and mother were happy at one time. Theirs was an arranged marriage, but they held each other affectionately when they were engaged, and that eventually turned into love. His parents took him on trips and they had dinner at a table. They would go out to Quidditch games and his Wizards Primary school was decent.
His beliefs came about as anyone else's came about. His parents would talk and state their opinion about something, he would listen. They didn't sit him down and say 'This is what you should believe'. They had a casual conversation about it all. And eventually, their beliefs became his.
As Draco grew older, he understood more about Voldemort and his father's role with the man. He understood what his father did, and it didn't bug him at that time because they shared the same beliefs. Draco remembered looking at the man as a hero, someone to be respected. And Draco wanted to be just like him. It wasn't until Fourth year, when Potter flashed back with a dead Cedric Diggory, that Draco began to understand the full extent. Unfortunately it was only a sliver of doubt, and when Fifth year rolled around, Draco began to panic. Even more people had died. Draco had tried to reason it as collateral damage. People would die for a cause, Draco realized that. It didn't matter if you were on the opposing side or not.
He got mad at Potter out of panic and anger, both at Potter for catching his father and at his father for being in something that Draco didn't want to believe was evil. Then Sixth Year happened. Draco knew he would join, he always knew that. But when the demented Snake Man came and called, Draco knew then, that he didn't want to. Draco had to close off his mind and give Voldemort a sense of serious excitement when he made some sly remark about his mother, and he knew, he knew she wasn't safe. His father just sat there, stoic, and Draco would always blame him for that. Just sitting there, doing nothing.
So he did his job, for his mother, and he trudged through all of the dark and the evil, and he swore that if Potter didn't win, he'd hunt down the Gryffindor and kick his arse.
And that's what he told Granger. He left out the unsavory details and any unnecessary horrifics. Granger nodded along and...Listened surprisingly. Most times, whenever he brought up himself, girls would tune out until they could turn the attention back onto them.
Their conversation was normal.
And then it got serious.
"So...what specifically did you want to talk about, Malfoy? There are a few things that we need to go through, personally, and I think-"
Draco had laughed. "There are several things we need to talk about, Granger, but I think the first thing," he sighed, "is the relationship as a whole."
She had quieted down then, and a serious expression had grown on her face. "Our relationship." She didn't say it with excitement. She had sounded as if a close relative had died.
Draco took in a deep breath. "I want to date you." Her face lit up. "But, well, I have certain...trepidations."
Her brow furrowed. "Is it about the houses we're in? Or me being a-"
"No! No, neither of those are an issue. It has more to do with, with-"
"Voldemort."
Draco flinched. "Yes and no. Since he's gone, it has more to do with the Death Eaters. Or anyone who shares their beliefs. Like that Harper kid. I just, well, I think if a relationship like this were to come out, it would be like putting a giant, bright arrow on your back. I don't want to do that."
Granger seemed to think about that for a moment. "I get what you're saying. But with how we are around each other...I don't know. I just think it would be awkward if we stayed 'friends' or what have you."
Draco considered that. Yes, they couldn't go back to the way things were. They couldn't even be casual friends. It was just too weird between them. They would either have to do something about their relationship, or just go their separate ways. And given the whole new group fundamental, Draco didn't want to do that. Plus, he didn't want to say goodbye to Granger. He was happy around her. He just felt like he didn't have to explain himself to her.
There was one other option.
"Granger. I, well, this may sound insulting, but," He trailed off before he took a deep breath. "What if we could date, just...in a more private manner?"
Granger's eyebrows furrowed. "You mean keep the relationship a secret." She knew he didn't mean it as an insult, but how else is a girl supposed to take that?
"Well, just a secret from the masses, but let our friends know. Being as they're the only ones that really matter."
Granger gave a slow, small smile.
"I think that could work."
The two had left and went back to the castle. There wasn't an awkward moment. It was normal.
There was finally some normality in Draco's life.
Of course, that was while their relationship was strictly between the two. Telling their friends was a whole new shebang. Draco shuddered. He really needed to stop hanging out with Valerie.
Actually, telling their friends wasn't all that horrifying. Considering Pansy and Ron's relationship, the group took the information rather well.
And by rather well, Draco meant the She-Weasle and Valerie high fiving, shouting 'Success!' with Felix giving them a pouch of galleons, while Potter sat there grimacing, and Weasley kept opening and closing his mouth before Pansy had to conjure up a brown paper baggy. Oh, that's not to mention Blaise flicking his wand around, making it play 'Here Comes the Bride'.
Besides all that, though, yeah. Rather well.
XXXXX
"I think we should throw a Christmas party," Blaise said.
"Do you?" Draco murmured. He wasn't paying that much attention, more focused on his homework than the ramblings of Blaise Zabini.
"Yes. I think we should have lights and a giant tree and a swinger's party where I get to have Granger to myself for the night."
"Mmhmmm," Draco said. "Sounds great."
Blaise just stared at his friend.
Draco's head jerked up and whipped around to Blaise.
Wow. Thirteen seconds. New record.
"What the hell, Blaise?"
Blaise smiled. "Thought that might get your attention. Now as I was saying, I think we should throw a Christmas party. Nothing to huge. Just the Eight Years with a few Seventh Years in the Room of Requirement."
"Okay! Throw a bloody party! Just leave Granger out of it."
"Draco. I'm saying I need your help to pull it off."
Draco sat back. "Since when have you needed my help in throwing a party?"
"Ummmm, well, since I'm trying to woo Lovegood?"
Draco was silent. "Woo Lovegood?"
"Yes," Blaise said in a defensive tone. "Is that a problem?"
Draco rubbed his eyes. "Yes, actually. I wouldn't have the slightest idea on how to woo Lovegood. And besides, I just got done wooing my own witch. Your turn."
Blaise laughed. "If you call that wooing. And I don't need your help with how I'm going to woo Lovegood. I've got that planned. I just need you to help me pull it off."
There was something in his tone that Draco didn't trust. The last time Zabini sounded like this was when he was going to spike Pansy's pumpkin juice. Draco narrowed his eyes.
"What are you planning, Zabini?"
"I hope it's not anything too sketchy."
Draco and Blaise jumped at the sound of Valerie's voice, causing their homework to go flying. She was dressed in all black again, only this time her shirt showed some of her midriff. Draco could see something peeking out from her shirt, and realized it was a tattoo. Her shoes were some sort of black monstrosity that Draco heard the Muggles called combat boots. Valerie's hair was up in a ponytail, but some strands were loose and dangling in her face. She looked like she was going to go to a battle.
Or a funeral.
"Uh, Valerie? Is that, urm, outfit, well, allowed?" Blaise asked.
She raised an eyebrow. "You're the one that called for my help for a 'delicate matter'. This is me, helping in said delicate matter."
Blaise looked at her in confusion. "You need to wear THAT to look for-," Blaise cut off and looked at Draco. "To look for the special package?" He whispered.
"Hey, those suckers bite and their eyesight is impeccable." She defended.
"And that requires your stomach to show?" Blaise asked.
Valerie rolled her eyes. "It's hardly my stomach, Grandpa. It's just my belly button. And if you want to catch the 'special package'," she said with air quotes, "then you are going to have to show yours as well."
Blaise gave her an appalled look. "Why?"
Valerie smiled with sharp teeth. "Afraid to show some skin, Zabini? And because they like belly buttons. Has to do with some sort of special connection with new life and motherhood, and some such crap. They are very special creatures. I'm surprised your Ministry doesn't know about them." A pondering look dawned on her face. "Actually, no I'm not that surprised. Now go get dressed in something all black. Unless you want to go in your birthday suit."
Blaise grumbled, but moved his books away and left to the boys' dormitories.
Draco looked at Valerie. "Should I ask?"
Valerie shook her head. "Nah. You'll find out soon enough." Valerie looked at the staircase to the boys' dorms to make sure Blaise hadn't come back yet, and then cast a silencing charm in the room. It was rather late at night, so it was just Blaise and Draco, who had been in the common room.
Valerie sighed. "There's actually something I wanted to talk to you about."
Draco got a horrible feeling in the pit of his stomach. "What?"
"The Council has decided to throw a Christmas party at my England estate and-"
"You have an estate in England?" Draco asked, surprised.
"Technically the Vampire Monarch has an estate in England, but since I happen to be the current Vampire Monarch, yeah, I have an England estate. Actually, I have an estate on each continent, but that's not the point." Valerie took a deep breath. "I need you to accompany me. As my Guard."
Draco stood up. "I thought you said-"
"It was a one night thing? Yeah. However," she pursed her lips, "you made quite an impression with more creatures than I care for, and they remember you."
"And that's a bad thing?"
"Considering they keep asking about you, yes."
"Why would they care about a human?" Draco asked.
"Not just any human, Draco. You. And, unfortunately, Hermione."
Draco grew tense.
"And you need to attend, so that you can show them you aren't worried about what they might do."
Draco's face set in a determined grimace. "No. I'm not putting Granger in that situation again. Forget it. They can fight me all they want, but Granger's not going."
Draco JUST got things back into a normal rhythm. His sessions were going well (as well as sessions can go when you make them insanely boring) and his relationship with Granger was, well, freaking normal! He had a girlfriend, for Merlin's sake, and he wasn't about to put her in harm's way.
Valerie sighed and looked sideways at the ground, shaking her head. "Foolish human." She looked back at Draco. "You think the only way they can hurt you is physical. No, you need to go so you can show that you don't care that they know who you are." Her voice rose and she slowed her words down on the last few words. "And Hermione doesn't have to be there. Just you. In fact, it's probably better that she isn't there."
Relief filled Draco.
"Wait. Why me, and not Blaise?"
Valerie looked toward the stairwell, where Blaise was fighting with his sweater, trying to get his arms and head in through the right holes.
"Merlin love that boy, but he's Blaise. You have a bit more restraint." Valerie lifted the silencing charm just as Blaise fit his head through his sweater.
"Blasted thing. What were you two talking about?"
Draco opened his mouth, prepared to tell Blaise, but Valerie cut him off. "Something I forgot to do."
Valerie took Blaise's had and held it, palm up, to her mouth. She spoke in her strange language and waved her hand. A cut appeared on Blaise's hand, on the V and G symbol. With another wave of Valerie's hand, blood dripped out of the wound and into Valerie's palm. Blaise, with a slightly panicked expression, tried to take his hand back.
"Relax, Zabini. I'm not going to eat you. I just can't have my blood dripping anywhere." A wave of Valerie's wand this time, and the blood disappeared, along with the symbol and the cut. Blaise looked at his hand, flipping it back and forth.
"Satisfied? Now let's go. There's only a small window to catch these things."
Draco watched Valerie walk out of the common room with Blaise in tow.
Why was it such a big deal that Blaise not know? And he hadn't even given her a yes or no answer anyway. With the way things had gone last time, Draco wanted to say no. Since Granger wasn't going to be there though, Draco didn't think it would be that bad. He'd been in a snake pit. He was pretty sure he could handle some Council of Creatures.
Pretty sure.
He looked down at his own hand, where the V and G symbol still rested. He snorted, just realizing the meaning.
"Vampire Guard. Ridiculous." He went back to his homework, unaware of the eyes watching him from one of the staircases.