Chapter 11

In My Defense

"Are you sure about that?"

"Yes!"

"It does seem rather batty, Romilda. I mean, they hate each other!"

"I know! But I swear to Merlin, it was like he was defending her!" the witch exclaimed. "After I insulted Granger, Malfoy got really upset! I know he likes to hand out punishment, but when he snapped he was so angry! Normally he's sly and mocking, but not this time…"

It was then that Severus chose to open the door to his classroom. "Hello Miss Vane," he greeted icily. "I was told that you would be joining me today, but I had no idea you would be bringing a whole posse of friends. Clearly they must want to join you, since you all have been gossiping incessantly outside of my classroom door for the past five minutes. I can assure you that I certainly have the space for them if they do not wish to leave," he hissed.

With that, the trio of girls who had accompanied Romilda turned and all but ran away. Severus held the door open as the disgruntled girl marched inside and slumped into the nearest seat.

"Now, Miss Vane, we would not want you to feel left out. Please head to the front of the classroom with the first years."

The angry girl didn't protest as she trudged to the front of the room with four first year Gryffindors staring at her. She tried her best to ignore their looks, but Snape knew how embarrassed she was to have to share her detention time with a group of prepubescent boys.

The professor walked over to his desk and didn't look up as he pulled out a quill to start reviewing essays. "Miss Vane, for the duration of this detention I would like you to write an essay for me explaining why it is not a good idea to be slinking around a magical castle alone at night, and why it is a good idea not to challenge those who are in a position meant to help you."

The girl huffed but pulled out parchment and a quill from the bag she had been carrying.

With all of miscreants working diligently, he had time to focus on what the young witch had been going on about with her friends. He knew that Draco and Miss Granger had been assigned a round of patrols together – punishment for Draco missing previous meetings and patrols – but the most he had expected was a few hours of awkward silence. He noticed that they occasionally exchanged looks in his class. It did not happen very often, maybe three or four times in the past couple of weeks, but he was surprised that sometimes Granger would look at him rather than Draco just looking at her.

Severus was rather annoyed by the fact that he knew Weasley and the Brown girl were now an item and that it was upsetting to Granger, but he was in fact aware that the two had been doing some sort of dance for the past few years. Personally he didn't think much of Weasley. Then again, did he think much of anyone?

Was it possible that in the midst of this teenage love affair Draco saw an opportunity and took a moment to defend Granger? The boy had thrown glares at Severus for being too harsh with the Gryffindor witch, so it did not seem entirely out of the question. He briefly cursed himself for not listening in on the conversation earlier. If he had, he might have caught exactly how the Gryffindor offended the older witch.

The detention ran until dinnertime and Severus felt compelled to sprint to the Great Hall. However, since he was far too composed for that, he resisted the urge and kept his normal stride. Once Draco finished his dinner, the older wizard was going to corner him and they were going to have a serious discussion. He needed to know what had happened the night of the patrol.

The older wizard did not need to wait very long. Draco spent about fifteen minutes at the dinner table before moving to leave. Discreetly leaving his seat, Severus made his way to the entrance to catch up with the boy. Seeing that the blonde boy was making his way toward the staircase, the determined professor charged toward him, grabbed his arm, and marched the boy toward his office. Draco protested the whole walk, but Severus ignored him until they were safely in the office and a Muffliato spell was cast.

"What happened with Miss Vane the night you and Granger patrolled together?" He was in no mood for games and wanted answers.

"Vane was out after curfew and had a smart mouth. I deducted points and assigned detention. I'd been out of practice and wanted to get back into the swing of things," Draco explained easily. He added a careless shrug for emphasis that it did not matter.

"Then why, Mister Malfoy, was Romilda Vane telling her friends that you were coming to Miss Granger's defense?" Draco opened his mouth to retort, but he was cut off by his professor. "I do not want any sort of story, Mister Malfoy. I want you to tell me exactly what happened. What did she say to Miss Granger and why would she misconstrue it as you defending the Gryffindor whom you have spent years hating?"

The blonde boy heaved a deep sigh. He looked annoyed but seemed ready to relent. "Granger and Weaslebee had a falling out," he started.

"Yes, unfortunately I am privy to the romantic affairs of my student. What does that have to do with anything?"

"Vane was out getting a bag of treats I assumed she wanted to sneak to Potter along with a love note. After Granger suggested Vane stop following Potter like a puppy, Vane turned on Granger and mentioned Weasley. I got sick of the arguing over the stupid Gryffindor idiots, so I shut Vane up."

"You were defending Granger."

"No, I was not!" the boy snapped.

"Well, Vane is going around saying that you were. You need to be careful, boy. If word spreads around that you have been defending Harry Potter's Muggle-born best friend, the Dark Lord will not be pleased."

"I would never defend her! She's a disgusting piece of filth!" he snarled.

Something inside of Severus broke. He was tired of denying and fighting. Tired of analyzing. Tired of whatever they were doing. From what Vane had said, something changed. Draco had proven to be more open with his attentions, though minor. Granger seemed more receptive. They no longer publicly acted like they hated each other. They just avoided interacting.

The dark-clad man let out a knowing sigh. "And you love her."

Draco said nothing. A series of emotions flitted over his face – surprise, confusion, anger – then he stormed out the room.

At least now Draco knew that Severus knew. Maybe that would help his relationship with the boy.

Or maybe he had just made it worse.

Yes, that seemed like a distinct possibility.

"I was wondering where you wandered off to," greeted a voice as Draco approached the section of the Room of Hidden Things they claimed as theirs. "I couldn't believe I beat you here."

He took his seat then took her in. She was curled up into the ratty old chair. Her hair was knotted into a bun and she'd already discarded her scarf and coat. She was wearing a light blue long-sleeved shirt which contrasted with her black pants. She already had a book in her hands and a playful smile was gracing her lips.

"Professor Snape wanted to see me."

"What about? Don't tell me you forgot to turn in your essay. We spent over an hour on that." She had resumed flipping through her book so she sounded thoroughly disinterested.

"It was nothing. He just felt the need to further inquire about why I had assigned Vane detention."

Hermione made an annoyed sound then smirked, still not looking up from her book. "Did you tell him you were rushing to my defense? The defense of your dear friend, Hermione Granger?"

"No, but apparently Vane has been walking around saying that's exactly what happened."

The witch scoffed. "She's ridiculous. Doesn't she know you're just a sadist who wanted to make her suffer after you'd neglected your duties for so long?"

He knew she was joking and allowed a small smirk. "Yes exactly! That's exactly what went on! No one understands me like you do, Granger."

"The best thing that's ever happened to you, no doubt," she agreed.

"Now the little bint is going to ruin my reputation. Making it seem like a care for a frizzy-haired Gryffindor."

"Watch it, Malfoy. I hit you once, I will do it again."

Just the thought of that day made his face ache just a bit. He had never been more afraid of Hermione Granger than when he was running to the hospital wing to make sure nothing had been permanently damaged. Of course he knew it wouldn't be as that was the wonder of magic, but still. If he were being completely honest he had been thinking of her when he smashed Potter's nose. Of course, he would never admit that to her because him breaking her best friend's nose would not go over very well with her. She had always been so protective of him.

"What's been going on with you and Snape?" she asked, pulling him away from his thoughts. "All term you and he have been hostile. Before this term you'd always seemed close."

He considered telling her to mind her own business, but he felt no desire to do so. "It's been difficult without my father. Snape is trying to step into the protector role and I was sick of it." It wasn't a lie completely. He knew that she knew Snape let the Order loose on his father, but Draco couldn't let her know he knew about it.

She seemed to accept the answer as she didn't push for any more details.

"How are you doing?"

He knew that she hadn't cried since the night of the patrol. He wanted to make sure that hadn't changed.

"I'm doing quite fine actually. Thank you, once again." After a moment, she lowered her book and straightened in her seat. "Actually, I was talking to Harry earlier and I told him that Vane and her pals were planning to sneak him a love potion. I overheard them in the bathroom."

The blonde cocked a brow. "And you didn't confiscate the contraband?"

"They didn't have it with them. It's not like I could force them to let me search their dormitories, could I? Anyway, I warned Harry to be on guard." She shook her head as she took on an expression that was a mixture of disgust and wonder. "I don't know why she's being so persistent."

"Especially when it's Potter she's pursuing," he commented.

"I told him to just find a date to Slughorn's party and it might get her to calm down."

"Or send her into a murderous jealous rage."

The both chuckled at the possibility, and at the fact that the idea wasn't so far-fetched.

A sour look crossed his face as he considered something. "Why don't you and Potter just go to the bloody party together?" Not that he wanted her to spend more time with Potter than she already did, but it made sense.

The sour look appeared to be contagious as it spread to her face. "Did I not tell you about this? The morning following my breakdown McLaggen cornered me. He asked me to the party and I agreed. In my defense, it was a moment of weakness and I knew it would infuriate Ron."

"How very Slytherin of you," he joked, not sounding amused at all. He couldn't believe she was going to go with that prat, McLaggen. He hated the fact that she spent so much time with Potter but he was used to that.

"I've been trying to forget about it, but it's approaching rather quickly. Which I guess is for the best. I just want to get this blasted party over with!" She let out an exasperated groan as she threw her head back.

He agreed with her, he wanted her to get it over with as soon as possible. "After the party you'll never have to speak to McLaggen again. That's something to look forward to."

"You know, I should have just invited you. You'd drive Ron crazy," she said with a wicked grin. "But then again, it might also give Harry a heart attack so it might be best that I didn't. We also don't want to help perpetuate the 'little bint's' rumors."

"Very true, Granger. But I can promise I would have been a better date than McLaggen."

"I have no doubt." She stood up and stretched, exposing part of her stomach to him. "It's late; we should probably head back to our rooms."

He nodded in agreement and stood to join her.

Walking together, they paused as they reached the entrance. They always staggered their departures so as not to raise suspicion if anyone was around.

She turned to him and flashed him a smile. "Goodnight, Draco."

He paused for a moment. "Goodnight, Hermione."

A moment of clarity flashed over her face before she turned to leave.

That was the first time they'd addressed each other by their first names. He liked the way her name sounded. He liked the way she said his name.

He thought back to his exchange with his professor. Draco thought he'd hid it so well. Even when his aunt was inside his mind during the summer holiday, he managed to stow away moments which held any sort of affection for the girl. Somehow his professor knew he harbored feelings for Hermione.

It was an odd sort of relief.

He didn't particularly want anyone to know, and it wasn't like he was going to go to Snape for relationship advice. It just felt nice knowing that the secret wasn't just his burden anymore. He only hoped the professor wouldn't pester him about it. It was hard enough considering his own feelings; he had no desire to have a full-blown discussion about them with a man he still resented.

Well, Draco told himself he resented Snape. He wasn't sure that was entirely true anymore. Did he feel angry and betrayed? Yes. Did he want to continue to feel that way? Not particulary.

In his defense, Draco was dealing with enough hatred in his life. If he could forgive Severus it would make things much easier for Draco…

I meant to update over the weekend, but it became dedicated to the boyfriend. We do long distance and I hadn't seen him over a month, so he was kind of needy. ;)

Anywho, here it is! I actually have lots of ideas for the next chapter and I'm really excited about it! My hope (but not promise) is to have it up by the end of this weekend, so be on the lookout!

Thank you, my lovely readers for continuing to keep up with this story. I can't say enough how grateful I am. I love you!