Tuesday, 20th April 2004
Since 'the dinner incident', Malfoy had been avoiding Hermione like the plague. She felt dazed, as if she had suffered whiplash in a motor vehicle accident; one minute he had been poised to kiss her and the next he had stormed from the room, dripping with angst. She could not get a read on him and she was exhausted.
Things were not improving at the Ministry, and Lucius Malfoy had taken over the hunt for the werewolf. He had announced to Hermione and the rest of the Being Division that they were to cease any recovery orders and would be banned from all future hunts. Hermione did not mind that she would not be forced to take a wand to a werewolf, but she was annoyed that she was once again being asked to sit idly by while the Beast Division acted as though they were dealing with a animal who had no human rights.
That news had not bode well with Malfoy. Though they had tentatively continued with their usual routine, Hermione was unsure how to broach the subject. He had taken it surprisingly well, though he had not responded when she finished her story, only nodding his head and making a small sound of incredulity. Then he had returned to his silence, which Hermione was beginning to find grated on her nerves more than if he had been constantly bickering with her.
They were suffering through yet another silent evening, Malfoy stretched along her three seater and Hermione curled in an armchair when she finally snapped.
"You need Wolfsbane," she said, more bite in her voice than she had intended.
Malfoy's eyes widened. "Why?"
"Because the full moon is coming up?" Hermione squinted over the top of her book, as if he was an invalid.
He huffed. "I'm aware of that, Granger. What I meant to ask is, why will I need it when I won't be anywhere near humans during my next transformation?"
"Do you not count me as human?"
Malfoy stilled and fixed her with a wary gaze. "Excuse me?"
"You don't expect me to just turn you out onto the street in a fortnight, surely?"
"Actually yes, that's exactly what I expected," he said flatly.
"You're an idiot." She sighed, snapping her book shut and glaring at him. "Of course you'll stay here through the transition; it's too dangerous out there." She pointed towards the front door.
"Is it?" he deadpanned. "And here I was thinking that it was dangerous to house a werewolf in suburbia during the full moon. Silly me."
"You can argue all you like." She sniffed and stood from the armchair, looming over him. "But you will stay here and I will get you some Wolfsbane."
"You'll have to go to Knockturn Alley for that," Malfoy countered, standing to face her properly, though now he was looking down at her. "I won't allow it."
"You're not my keeper." Hermione snorted, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Nor are you mine."
They stood like that, staring at each other in a silent Mexican standoff, until Malfoy rolled his eyes with an exaggerated exhale, slumping back into his chair.
Without a word, Hermione left the room, knowing that it was settled; tomorrow she would journey to Knockturn Alley and purchase the potion for Malfoy.