September 1996
Hermione was grateful for the fact that she decided to continue her studies in Ancient Runes. If anything, it gave her a reprieve from Harry and his obsession over Draco Malfoy being a Death Eater.
Honestly, Malfoy a Death Eater? Surely Voldemort wouldn't recruit a 16 year old into his ranks. The idea seemed utterly impossible, but Harry was persistent. It was driving Hermione barmy.
She walked into the 6th floor classroom and went to sit in the empty spot by Daphne Greengrass.
"Hi, Daph." She gave the Slytherin girl a hug. "Thanks for saving a seat for me."
"Of course!" Daphne said. "Though, I was tempted to go sit by Terry." The witch looked longingly at the Ravenclaw, who was currently talking to his table-mate, Zacharias Smith.
Hermione chuckled. "You know I wouldn't be mad if you did."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Well, maybe next class I will do just that," Daphne said with determination.
Hermione smiled at her friend, knowing the witch was actually rather shy when it came to boys, then turned her attention to Professor Babbling who was about to start class.
Hermione's friendship with Daphne had come as a surprise. She and the other witch shared a few elective classes without many of their other housemates. They'd started working together during their third year; and now, three years later, Daphne had become one of her most loyal and best friends.
They kept in touch over the summers using Daphne's owl until she sent Hermione a two-way journal, after which they could "talk" to each other instead of having to wait for her owl to fly between houses.
It made communication easier when she visited The Burrow or Grimmauld Place, so the poor owl didn't have to figure out where she was. It also kept any questions from the boys to a minimum, so they didn't interrogate her about why she was friends with a Slytherin.
The best thing about the journals was that when someone else besides the writer looked at them, they would only see gibberish on the page.
Not that they talked about anything serious or important, but it was rather nice she didn't have to worry about anyone snooping in her private life.
Daphne was the only one who knew of her crush on Ron, for example, and she knew of Daphne's crush on Terry.
As Professor Babbling talked about what to expect from the course this year, Hermione glanced around the room at the handful of students who had elected to take the N.E.W.T. level course. The class only consisted of eight students—herself, Daphne, Zacharias Smith, Terry Boot, Anthony Goldstein, Lisa Turpin, Mandy Brocklehurst, and, to her utter dismay, Draco Malfoy.
He sat by himself at the back of the room, managing to look both bored and surly while he stared out the window.
She turned back to the front of the classroom, determined to ignore him. Instead, she wrote down important notes and dates for an upcoming project that would take until December, but she couldn't help but glance over her shoulder from time to time.
Could he be a Death Eater? Her eyes trailed to his crossed arms, as if she could see the Dark Mark through his jumper. Hermione shook her head, berating herself—she was acting just like Harry.
There was movement around the room and Hermione realized that she missed the part where Professor Babbling told them to choose their partners for their project.
Hermione swiveled in her seat to look at Daphne, but the chair next to her was empty.
Confused, Hermione looked around the room and saw that the other witch was sitting next to Terry.
Daphne glanced her way and gave her a wide grin with a discreet thumbs up.
Hermione smiled back, happy for her friend, then looked to see who else she could team up with.
Zacharias had partnered with Anthony.
Lisa sat with Mandy.
That meant….
Hermione closed her eyes and groaned inwardly.
Draco sodding Malfoy was the only other student available to partner up with.
She glanced his way again and noted that he hadn't moved—his gaze still towards the window.
Hermione gathered her things and went to join him. She stopped in front of his desk and when he didn't look at her, she cleared her throat to capture his attention.
Stony, gray eyes met hers. "What do you want, Granger?"
"We're partners for the project," she stated.
"What project?" He looked around her at the information that was written on the board and swore under his breath. He glanced back at her and waved her off. "I don't need a partner. Go find someone else to bother."
Hermione sighed. "There isn't anyone else, and the instructions state that this is a group effort. Now, may I please sit down so we can figure out a time and place to meet to work on this?"
One of his brows lifted. "Why would we have to meet? Can't we just do it during class?"
Hermione shook her head as she adjusted her shoulder bag, wondering if he had paid attention to the instructions at all. "It's too big of a project to work on just during class. Professor Babbling highly suggests we work on it at least two times a week for an hour, in addition to the time given in class."
Malfoy pinched the bridge of his nose. "I knew I shouldn't have taken this bloody class," he muttered. "Fine. Whatever. Take a seat and let's figure this out."
"You know it's not ideal for me either," she said irritably as she pulled out a piece of parchment. "Right, so, when are you available to meet up?"
Malfoy shrugged, returning his gaze out the window. "Whenever. I don't care."
"Well, I'm free Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays from six to seven or Tuesday and Thursdays from seven to eight. Which days work for you?"
"I don't care," he repeated.
"Well, which will conflict with quidditch practices? I know Harry's planning on having practices on Mondays and Thursdays, so—"
"Potter's captain?" he scoffed. "Wonder how that happened. Let me guess, Weasel will continue his Keeper position without having to try out?"
Hermione glared at him. "For your information, Harry is making Ron try out for the position, just like everyone else. Now, which days will conflict with Slytherin quidditch practices?"
"How the bloody hell would I know? I'm not playing this year."
Hermione gaped at him, surprised. "You're not? How come?"
"Why do you care? I'm just not, that's all. Too much bloody stuff going on for me to worry about trivial things like quidditch."
"What are you–"
"Tuesdays and Wednesdays," he cut in. "We can meet on those days."
"Oh—alright." She wrote the days down on the paper. "Library?"
"Sure, whatever," he said dismissively.
"You know, you should probably write down the parameters of the assignment."
"Why? I know you've already done that for us. There's no need for both of us to have it."
Hermione grit her teeth so hard, she thought they might break. "Because, it might help you prepare for what we need to do when we work on it."
"I guess I'll just take that chance." He glanced at the large clock on the wall. "Class is nearly over. You can leave me alone now," he said, shooing her away.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Thanks for the permission," she mumbled.
Maybe Ancient Runes wouldn't be the reprieve she needed after all.
In the library the following day, Hermione opened her journal to find a message from Daphne.
I'm sorry you got partnered with Draco. He's really not so bad once you get to know him, I swear!
I'll believe that when I see it. Don't worry though, I'll be fine.
How's being partnered with Terry? Did you ask him or did he ask you?
He asked me! When Babbling said to find a partner he turned right around and looked at me! I couldn't believe it. He's even more handsome up close!
And he's sooooooo nice too!
I'm happy for you, Daph, truly!
I have to go. Malfoy should be meeting me soon at the library.
Wish us luck that we don't kill each other!
Hermione waited with the books they needed spread out, along with blank parchments of paper.
All she was missing was her partner.
She started working, figuring that Malfoy would show up soon, but when an hour passed, she realized she'd been stood up.
With a huff, she gathered her things and placed them back into her bag.
The blond git would get an earful from her the following day, that was for sure.
The next day in Ancient Runes, she walked over to where Malfoy sat with his feet propped up and deposited her bag on the desk with a loud thud.
His feet fell to the floor. "What the–"
"Do you think you're being funny?" she asked angrily as she sat down.
"What are you on about?" he asked defiantly.
"Yesterday? Library? Seven o'clock? Ring any bells, Malfoy?"
"Oh, that." He shrugged. "I decided not to go."
"What do you mean you decided not to go?" she fumed. "It's for a project, Malfoy, one that I would like to get good marks on."
"Hate to tell you this Granger, but I don't give a flying fucking Hippogriff what you would like."
Hermione resisted the urge to scream. Instead, she closed her eyes and took three deep breaths before she was calm enough to speak again.
"Malfoy, look, we need to work on this project. Can we please put aside our differences just this once to work on this?"
Malfoy rolled his eyes as he turned his head. "No."
Hermione glared at him as he continued.
"But, if we can meet somewhere that isn't going to be crowded with people, then maybe I can be more inclined to meet up."
She bristled. "Are you serious? You don't want to meet up to work on this project because you don't want to be seen with me? That's rich. Like I want to be seen with you." She stood, ready to go beg the professor to be assigned another partner. "Go kiss a dementor, Malfoy," she muttered sourly.
He scowled in her direction. "Wouldn't you find it rather annoying when people start asking questions about why we're working on a project together?"
"We will just explain that it's for a project—"
"Oh, so you've told Potter and Weasley about this project then?" he asked sarcastically. "About how you and I are supposed to meet up twice a week for the next few months to work on it?"
"No, I haven't told them. They'd want to tag along to make sure you don't—" Her voice trailed off, irritated that he had a point.
"That I don't do what, Granger?" he pressed. "Tease you? Hurt your little feelings?" he sneered. "I told you, I have better things to do than such trivial things."
"So you've said. Fine then. You've proven your point—No working together in a public space. So where do you suggest we meet up?"
"There are a plethora of empty classrooms. Pick one."
"I'd want to be near the library so that we can get books as we need them," she mused. "And I don't think there are any empty rooms near there."
"Then I guess you'll just have to check them all out and haul them all around with you."
Hermione gave him a fake, wide smile. "Or, here's an idea, you could shove them up your arse."
He shrugged. "Can't. They're already so far up yours that I don't think it's possible to retrieve them."
Hermione huffed out a breath. "Fine. How about this? Do you remember where the Room of Requirement is?"
"You mean the place where you and Potter had the little army thing? Yes, why?"
"Meet me in front of the tapestry at six. Don't be late," she warned. "Or I'll take a page from Ginny's book and bat-bogey hex you."
"Like I'm scared," he sneered.
"Good," she said, taking out her things from her bag to finally start working. "You should be. Now, you translate these—" she circled a set of words on a large list—"and I'll do these."
He muttered something under his breath but took out a quill and parchment and got to work.
They worked quietly until the professor dismissed them. Malfoy gathered his things and started to stalk out of the room.
"See you at six, Malfoy!" Hermione called.
He answered her by raising two fingers and walked out without even looking in her direction.
At five-till six, Malfoy showed up by the 7th floor tapestry. He inspected it with distaste before looking at the blank wall across from it.
"So how does this thing work any way?"
"It's pretty simple. You have to think of what you need, focus on it, and walk past the area three times. On the third time, a door should appear and inside will be a room that will help you."
"That's it?"
Hermione nodded. "That's it. Stand back, I'll show you."
She paced in front of the wall as she said "A place where Malfoy and I can do our project" three times. On her third pass, a door materialized in front of them.
Hermione gestured towards the door. "Take a look."
Malfoy walked forward and tugged on the handle. He peered in before taking a step inside and Hermione followed behind.
The room held a large desk, with plenty of pens, pencils, parchment, quills, and inkwells. Tufted chairs sat on either side of the desk and behind it was a bookshelf with books similar to the ones in the library.
Two fireplaces flanked the room, one near the desk and the other with a comfortable-looking sofa facing it. The room was well lit, with floating lanterns all around the shelves and desk area.
"Not bad, Granger," he said as he set his bag down and took out his parchment from class. "What if we need anything else? Are we limited to what's already in the room or can more be added while we're here?"
Hermione took a seat as she pulled a piece of parchment paper toward her. "The layout and size will change as we need it while we're here. But we are limited. For example, food can't just appear because of—"
"Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration, yes, I'm aware of how magic works."
Hermione gave a nod. "Right. Beverages are an exception though. There's been times when I've wished for a cuppa and one would appear."
Malfoy took the other seat. "I see. Let me try something."
Hermione watched as he closed his eyes briefly and a tea cart appeared seconds later.
Hermione raised a brow as Malfoy reached into his cloak pocket and pulled out some biscuits wrapped in some cloth.
"You know we just had dinner, right?"
"Yes, well, I didn't have time to finish or else I'd get hexed," he said sarcastically as he took a bite.
Hermione winced slightly. "Oh, right. Well, we can change it to six-thirty if that will give you time to finish your meal."
Malfoy shrugged. "That's fine." He finished off his biscuit before he turned to the cart and started making himself a cuppa.
"Can I—" Hermione started, but paused when Malfoy's gaze flicked up to her.
"I suppose," he finally said.
"Thanks," she stood and walked over to the tea cart, pouring the beverage into one of the cups along with a splash of milk and two sugars before returning to her chair.
"Now," he said as he set his cup down on its saucer. "What exactly are we working on? Just translating runes?"
Hermione sighed with irritation as she pulled out the instructions. She tapped it once and duplicated it. "Here, this is everything we need to do for the assignment but basically, yes, we're translating a thousand different runes from different areas and finding their origin."
Malfoy groaned, and for the first time, Hermione agreed with him.
They worked quietly for an hour, talking only when one or the other wanted to verify their translation.
"We should probably stop for the night," Hermione suggested. "I don't know about you, but my eyes feel a bit wonky after all that."
"Same," Malfoy grumbled. He stood and slung his bag over his shoulder. "I actually have some free time tomorrow if you want to meet up?" he suggested.
"Oh. I actually can't tomorrow. Harry is holding quidditch try-outs and, well, Ron is trying out for Keeper again, and—"
Malfoy scoffed as he rolled his eyes. "Weasel couldn't block a quaffle even if it had biscuits tied to it. Potter should just cut his losses and get someone else."
Hermione huffed as she stood, fists at her hips. "Ron is actually quite good, I'll have you know. He's been practicing a lot. I have a lot of faith in him getting the position."
"Yeah, through nepotism maybe," Malfoy said as he walked towards the door.
"You're such an arse!" she yelled after him as he left the room.
"Ron will be Keeper," she muttered to herself as she stowed away her belongings in her bag. "I'll make sure of it."
Even if Hermione had to Confund Cormac, no one would blame her—or suspect her. As it was, she was getting rather good at non-verbal spells.
Besides, the scowl on Malfoy's face the next time they met up would be worth it.
The response to last weeks chapter made my little writer explode with happiness. I'm so glad you are all enjoying the story so far and are invested in their past and these next handful of chapters will dive into their 6th year. Remember, the books were in Harry's POV, so there's a lot we don't when it comes to Hermione and Draco but I've tried to keep it as canon to the books as possible, weaving in their story throughout.
Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and I'll see you all next week! xoxoHufflepuffMommy