Chapter 10

Dec 10th 1994

Since the announcement of the Yule ball, the Hogwarts student body has changed very quickly. Boys and girls started being more nervous around each other, some girls were only talking about who they wanted to ask them to the ball, and some boys were acting bizarre to get girls' attention.

That's what Hermione had noticed since the Yule ball was announced anyway. It left her feeling a little confused. It wasn't that she didn't feel the thrill of wanting to be asked by a certain person, but she wasn't getting her hopes up, and she was focused more on helping her new friends with the Flint problem.

Her routine was back to how it was before Draco had his detention. She woke up and had breakfast with Harry and Ron, happily learning new things during lessons, dashing to the common room to do her homework, and then heading to the library to see Draco and the others. Finally, she messaged Draco during the night.

The only downside to it all was that for the last few days, Peeves has decided to make the library his latest hangout.

Fortunately, today didn't seem to be one of the days Peeves wouldn't show up. "You honestly didn't have any trouble with that quiz today?" Pansy asked in disbelief.

Draco smirked, earning him a glare from Pansy before Hermione answered, "I really didn't. We were told about that test a few weeks ago. I studied for it" Hermione's tone made it sound as simple as a first-year spell.

"Is that how you're the smartest in the school?" Pansy asked with a friendly glare aimed at Hermione.

"I wouldn't say I'm the smartest…" Hermione started before Draco cut her off.

"...she simply works hard to be top of her classes," Draco smirked.

Hermione sighed. "Are you going to remember everything I say? I know you're annoying, but I don't need a parrot with a delay" Her words were sharp, but her eyes were playful.

Draco produced the sound of a parrot, earning him a giggle and a playful smack on the head from Hermione.

"So violent, Granger," he commented.

"Guys!" Pansy interrupted, "As much as I love the flirting, can you at least wait until the others are here so I don't feel like a third wheel."

Hermione blushed and looked away to hide a small smile. She was well aware of her feelings growing for Malfoy. She couldn't put it into words, but she knows she has never felt this way about anyone before.

"Is someone feeling left out? Shall I send an owl to Blaise and tell him to hurry up?" Draco had to retaliate.

Pansy huffed and crossed her arms. "Where the hell are those two anyway?"

"Maybe they got ambushed by some girls who want Blaise and Theo to take them to the ball?" Draco knew this would wind Pansy up.

Pansy physically twitched but said nothing. Hermione recovered from her embarrassment, saw the glint in Draco's eyes, and couldn't resist adding, "They are both good-looking boys."

Draco's smile increased. He gave Hermione a gentle tap on her shoulder to thank her.

Pansy nearly exploded. "That's it. I'm going to go find…"

"Sorry we're late," Theo muttered as he and Blaise walked round the corner towards them.

"Where have you two been?" Pansy demanded.

Both boys looked confused and nervous. "To the bathroom," Theo answered slowly.

Pansy squinted her eyes at them before walking away from them and sat down at the table with a pout.

"What's going on?" Blaise asked, still confused.

"Nothing! Let's get to work," Pansy ordered.

Draco gave the guys a look that said, 'I'll tell you later'. Blaise and Theo took their seats around the table, and once again, they started to discuss Flint.

Over the last few days, the three Slytherins had asked around and eavesdropped around the common room to get more information about Flint. So far, they had only found one thing they could use. He sees Draco as a threat.

"I can't believe he thinks I'm a challenge to him as some leader of Slytherin," Draco said in disbelief.

"I know you aren't, but with your family history, I can see why Flint would think that," Theo offered.

"What is your family history with Slytherin?" Hermione asked curiously.

"Every Malfoy that has ever attended Hogwarts has been sorted into the Slytherin house. My father was even a Slytherin Prefect, and it wouldn't surprise me if many of my past family members had been, too," Draco explained.

Hermione nodded, not surprised by this information. Since Draco first entered the grand hall, Hogwarts had been filled with rumors about him and his family.

"I'm assuming that Slytherin doesn't have a 'leader' figure that Flint seems to think there is?" Hermione started. The Slytherins shook their heads. "I didn't think so, however, if Flint has it in his head that he is some leader to them. Then your rich Slytherin blood is bound to worry him."

"There have been whispers in the common room that if Draco had come to Hogwarts, he would have been the Slytherin prince," Blaise laughed. Draco's eye rolled as the rest shared a giggle at his expense.

Madam Pince glided past them with a shushing gesture. Hermione frantically whispered an apology.

"So we need to have Draco challenge, Flint?" Pansy asked.

"Flint would likely accept. A chance for him to beat the Malfoy heir in front of the Slytherins would be too good to resist," Theo added.

"Sounds good. I'd love to take him on in a duel," Draco eagerly said.

"There is no way Flint would agree to a duel," Theo interrupted.

"Flint likes to stick what he's good at," Pansy added.

"What's he good at?" Draco asked.

"Quidditch. He's a good flyer," Hermione answered. They all looked at her, surprised. "My best friend plays against him; I cheer extra hard against the guy who picks on me."

"Would you be ok with me challenging Flint to something that involves me on a broom? You told me I'm not allowed to get on a broom again while I was at Hogwarts," his tone teasing. It was clear to Hermione what he was trying to do. Keep her mind from dwelling on the negative memories of Flint.

Hermione appreciated it and raised a challenging eyebrow. "Don't act like it would stop you if I did have a problem with it. You're too stubborn for that," she smirked. Remembering how his stubbornness annoyed her more than it does now.

"You're still going to yell at me for going on a broom thought, aren't you?" Draco asked.

"The second your feet touch the floor," Hermione promised.

"Are you planning on being there to support me? I didn't know you cared so much," Draco mused.

Hermione gave him a sharp look. "You wish. I will be there to ensure you stay in one piece so I can yell at you as soon as possible."

"Have they been doing this before Theo and I arrived?" Blaise whispered to Pansy.

"You have no idea," she whispered back.

"We need Flint to agree to this before we can decide who will or won't be there," Theo said, getting everyone's attention.

Pansy looked at him, confused. "Are you mad? When Flint agrees to this, we will all be there."

Her words took Draco aback. He looked around the table and noticed they were all looking at him with a look of support. He felt himself well up inside. Knowing they would be there for him was a feeling he hadn't felt until he had come to Hogwarts. He would do this for them all.

"Guys…" Draco started but was cut off by a loud crash. Quickly followed by someone shouting, "Peeves!"

The group sighed, knowing they had to leave. They didn't want to risk Peeves overhearing them and have him tell anyone what they were planning. They exited the library when Pansy asked Hermione if she could have a small private chat.

The two girls walked out of earshot of the boys. "What do you think that's about?" Draco asked curiously.

"I have no idea, but it probably doesn't bode well for one of us," Blaise said ominously. Draco and Theo didn't have a clue what he was on about.

Hermione and Pansy joined them again. They all said their goodbyes as Blaise, Pansy, and Theo went in one direction. Hermione and Draco went the other. Draco had insisted on walking Hermione to the stairs before the portrait of the fat lady. Hermione wasn't going to object to that.

"Are you and Pansy planning something devious? Blaise looked worried" Draco chuckled.

Hermione laughed. "You three have nothing to worry about. Pansy asked me to go dress shopping with her tomorrow."

Draco smiled. "Do you need someone to come with and give an opinion on the dresses?" he joked.

"Absolutely not," Hermione giggled and swatted his arm playfully. "I'm actually looking forward to it. I rarely get to spend alone time with a female friend" Her voice showed how much she was looking forward to it.

"I'm sure you two will have a great time. Have you got someone to go to the ball with yet? You must make sure your dress matches their tie," Draco asked. He tried to keep calm, but he was nervous about her answer.

"No, not yet, and matching a dress to a tie isn't a thing," she said confidently. "What about you? Do you have anyone to go with?"

"I've been too focused on other stuff lately. Besides, there aren't many people I would like to go with, maybe one.." his voice trailed off.

They arrived at the bottom of the stairs. Hermione turned to face the blonde wizard. "Oh, so you do have someone you would like to go with?" her voice was playful, but her heart was beating fast with nerves.

Draco pretended to think, "Maybe, maybe not. Do you have someone in mind that you want to go with?"

Her immediate thought was 'you.' She wanted to go with Draco and may have even asked him if they weren't interrupted.

"Hermione!" an urgent voice called. Suddenly Ron was standing between her and Draco. Ron was facing Draco. Harry was at her side.

"What are you doing, Malfoy?" Ron's voice was filled with anger. Hermione was momentarily at a loss why Ron would be so angry, but then she remembered the library argument. This was their first time seeing each other since then. Dread filled Hermione.

Draco looked around as if he were lost. "Isn't it obvious, Weasel? I'm standing around and asking your friend for directions."

Hermione was shocked. Was he covering for her? She knew he could easily score points against Ron by using their friendship, but the first thing Draco did was make sure Harry and Ron wouldn't suspect anything from her. Her heart swelled with emotion.

"You've been here for over a month and still get lost?" Ron's tone was condescending.

"Wow, good for you, Weasel. You know how long my school has been here. Who says school can't help everyone?" Draco's voice was laced with sarcasm, and admittedly, it wasn't his best insult ever, but he couldn't be as mean as he wanted. Hermione was here, and he couldn't do that to her.

"Why you.." Ron started, but Harry grabbed Ron's shoulder and pulled him back. Harry then stood where Ron had just been.

"That's enough, Malfoy," Harry said. "I can see you take after your father after all."

Draco's face hardened. He reminded himself to calm down for the girl he glanced at quickly. She looked worried. "Ah, the boy who lived," Draco drawled. "You better watch your step. One wrong move and that ginger sod will turn his back on you again" Draco turned on his heels after that and walked away.

The golden trio watched Draco walk down the hall until he disappeared from view. "I told you that guy was no good," Ron sneered.

"Oh, shut it, Ron," Hermione snapped before making her way to the fat lady. She needed to speak to Draco. She had never been more thankful for the parchment that connected them.