Draco was having quite the year at Hogwarts.
To his delight and surprise, things had taken a turn for the worse for Potter, with the entire wizarding world having collectively decided the boy-who-won't-die is nothing more than an attention seeking git.
Ever since Potter had made his dramatic entrance clutching Diggory's corpse at the end of the triwizard tournament last year screaming about he-who-must-not-be-named being back, his luck had run out. Public opinion on the wonder boy had finally changed and Draco was thrilled. About time.
Never mind that Draco knew that in actuality, The Dark Lord himself had in fact returned. But he kept this secret knowledge to himself, and smugly watched as Potter and bumbling old Dumbledore ruined their pristine reputation by spitting this fact to anyone who would listen.
It felt like the natural order of the world had finally been restored. The Malfoys were returning back to their old glory days, with his father now able to successfully climb higher in his position and power at the ministry. Meanwhile, of course, they were plotting the secret downfall of those who had held the Malfoy family down in shame all these years.
Draco relished his newfound authority within the Hogwarts community. As a leading member of the inquisitorial squad, he had been granted the ability to discipline and punish students who had once been his equals. It was a sweet taste of revenge, as he had often been on the receiving end of disciplinary actions during his earlier years at Hogwarts.
With his father's growing influence in the Ministry, Draco felt more empowered than ever. He saw himself as an instrument of change, finally able to restore the honour and status of the Malfoy family. He took pleasure in identifying and reporting any suspected wrongdoing, relishing in the fear and power he exerted over his peers.
It was currently Friday, and Draco was putting his new found power to use. Approaching a timid and anxious first-year Gryffindor boy with a calculated swagger, Draco basked in the fear he could see in the young student's eyes.
"What's the matter, little Gryffindor?" Draco sneered. "Lost your way, have you? Or perhaps you've done something you shouldn't have?"
The first-year stammered, trying to find the right words under Draco's intimidating presence. "N-no, I... I was just looking for the library. I got lost, that's all."
Draco smirked, savouring the power imbalance. "Lost after almost a year at Hogwarts? How pathetic. You should be more careful. But I suppose a punishment is in order, just to ensure you learn your lesson."
The first-year's eyes widened in fear, realising that Draco held the authority to inflict punishment as he saw fit. Draco, enjoying every moment of his control, continued to toy with the young Gryffindor.
"I think cleaning the potions classroom should do the trick," Draco said with a malicious grin. "And don't even think about complaining or seeking help."
He grinned as the aghast expression on young Gryffindor's face, and turned on his heel to wreak more havoc.
"Tormenting more first years, Malfoy? Why don't you just leave him alone and find something better to do other than being a pompous prick." His grin grew wider as he whirled around to the familiar source of the voice.
""Potter, Weasley," Draco drawled, his tone dripping with disdain. "I see you've come to defend the helpless, as always. What, can't stand seeing someone assert their authority?"
Harry's eyes narrowed as he stepped forward, his voice filled with determination. "Asserting authority is one thing, Malfoy. Abusing it is another. You're nothing more than a bully."
Draco raised his eyebrows "Is that so? Hmm, Weasel-Bee - 10 points from Gryffindor for your untucked shirt, and Potter, 10 points from Gryffindor for sharing your unwanted opinion when no one asked."
They stared at him, incredulous, as he looked back with a smug smile.
His smile faded slightly as he noted Granger catching up with them, her arms full of books. She looked around the scene in confusion. His eyes shifted away quickly.
"You're a complete and utter git, do you know that? C'mon 'Mione, let's get this ferret out of our sight" Weasley scowled once more at Draco and then he and Potter walked off.
Granger shot a confused but suspicious look in Draco's direction as she stalked off at their trail, her wild curls bouncing with each step she took.
Draco had never acknowledged the strange circumstance last year where he had found himself seeing Granger to her room after the Yule Ball. He had woken up the next day with an extreme feeling of uneasiness at the fact he had been cordial to the muggle born witch, and decided that he must have been under the influence of far too much firewhiskey.
He had decidedly made it his mission to ignore her for the rest of his Hogwarts experience, which was hard as she was essentially the most irritating being on the planet. He was forced to take almost every class with her and the rest of her trio, and watch as her enthusiastic hand shot up to answer every question in her persistent voice.
He was pleased to note that apart from the strange night at the Yule Ball, where she had looked… different, she had returned fully back to her frumpy attire and bushy hair once more. Although maybe not as much of an ugly duckling as she once was, as he reluctantly noted she seemed to be growing into her features more and there was an air of elegance and maturity to her which wasn't there before.
Not that he spared her much thought. He was very much determined not to notice much about her after that strange night. As much as he loved to pick fights with Potter and Weasley, he had made up his mind that the mudblood was definitely not worth his breath insulting her, so he had decidedly not engaged in insulting her this year.
He watched her disappear for a moment longer, before stalking off himself.
….
Later that night, Draco was donned in his party robes, accompanied by a well fitting pair of black dress trousers and a fitted white shirt.
As it was nearing end of year exam time, with O. fastly approaching, Ravenclaw were throwing a party in their common rooms. Usually interhouse mingling was not something Slytherins were known for, however the Ravenclaw house could be an exception, as Slytherins could reluctantly respect their aptitude for knowledge and intelligence. Much unlike the stupidly over-confident Gryffindors and bumbling idiot Hufflepuffs.
Some of whom, sadly, would also be in attendance tonight. Ravenclaw didn't share Slytherins prejudices and the party would be open to anyone who wished to attend. Draco was less than happy at this thought, but Ravenclaw did know how to throw a good party.
Draco arrived at the Ravenclaw common rooms with Crabbe and Goyle. The brass eagle door knocker stared at them for a moment, before spouting out in a lofty voice.
"In Hogwarts school, I can be found,
With magical pages all around.
Spells and potions, charms and more,
Within my walls, knowledge galore.
What am I, this mystical place?
Where flows all wisdom which we embrace."
Crabbe and Goyle looked at each other dumbly like a pair of apes. Draco rolled his eyes.
"The library, obviously." He said with irritation to the door knocker, which swung open to reveal the sound of loud music and voices.
He entered the high ceilinged room, bustling with students who were dancing, chatting and laughing. The party seemed to be fully underway, as Draco had by default arrived fashionably late. The lights were dimmed and different coloured fairy jars floated high in the air, casting the room in a multicoloured glow. Someone had set up an alcoholic potion mixing station, with a geeky ravenclaw boy in glasses erratically mixing multicoloured concoctions per request. Glowing orbs hung over the room, emitting loud, fast thudding music. Rave-nclaws indeed.
Draco looked around until he spotted a quieter corner of the room to settle down on the plush blue armchair next to his inner slytherin circle. More alcoholic beverages floated in trays around the air, annoyingly nudging into the heads of those without a drink in their hands until they were accepted. He accepted a dragon barrel brandy, and sat in his prime spot conversing with his friends.
As the night progressed while Draco chatted with his friends, Pansy had taken it upon herself to perch on the arm of Draco's chair, simpering and smugly playing with his hair. He bit back his annoyance. He had just styled it.
"What about Dumbledor's alleged Army, Draco? Any movement on discovering them in the act?" Blaise leaned forward in his chair to ask Draco.
Draco smirked, his voice filled with confidence. "Potter and his band of misfits will run out of luck soon. And when they do, I'll be there to catch them. Umbridge has already practically guaranteed me the role of Head Boy once I discover them, which will be any time soon."
Pansy chimed in, her voice crooning in Draco's ear. "I can think of no better fit Draco, darling. It's about time this school has someone more worthy representing it. Umbridge is the best thing that has happened to this sorry excuse for a school in years."
The group grunted in agreement.
Draco lowered his voice as he added "Not just this school. This will only be the start, mark my words, things are changing for the better. Time will only tell." He gave a knowledgeable and secretive wink to his group who nodded in agreement, although half of them had heard nothing but rumours.
The volume in the room was getting louder, and he hoped one of the Ravenclaw brainiacs had had the foresight to cast a 'Muffliato' spell on the room. He was beginning to feel quite trapped being petted and preened over by Pansy, and excused himself to get a drink.
He approached the eccentric Ravenclaw boy practically juggling potions with the impressive speed at which he was brewing.
"Stop what you're doing right now." He demanded in a bored voice. "As a member of the Inquisitorial Squad, I suggest you brew me something first, using the highest quality ingredients. I would hate for Umbridge to find out about your extracurricular activities." He drawled to the boy.
The Ravenclaw boy hesitated, initially prepared to deny Draco's request. However, upon recognizing Draco's status and influence, he quickly changed his tune, realising it was wiser to comply.
The boy nodded, a mixture of annoyance and resignation on his face. Understanding the potential consequences, he silently gathered the necessary ingredients and began brewing.
"Good choice." Draco's eyes gleamed as he surveyed the room while he waited, spotting Potter in the corner of the room talking to none other than Looney Lovegood. He silently chuckled to himself, how the mighty had fallen. And there was Weasley, locked at the mouth with Lavender Brown. What a horrific sight.
He chose to ignore the fact that his eyes did a quick scan of the room of their own accord, looking for the missing member of the Potter squad.
"Here you go, Malfoy. Hope it's to your liking." The Ravenclaw boy handed the alcoholic potion to Malfoy, his eyes tinged with resentment.
Draco snatched the unfamiliar red concoction, and sipped it curiously. It tasted good enough, sweet and fruity.
He was about to head back to the rest of the Slytherins, when he spotted Pansy looking around hopefully for Draco. Deciding against heading back straight away and instead being able to enjoy his drink in peace away from Pansy's searching eyes, Draco snuck up the stairs away from the busy downstairs dance area.
Upstairs was much quieter, a semi circle looking down on to the crowded room below, encircled by windows. There were a few armchairs and desks, and a balcony which was flung open into the starry night sky.
Draco, spotting his refugee, made his way out to the balcony and closed the doors behind him.
He placed his hands on the stone rail, and looked across the Hogwarts grounds.
"Oh for Merlin's sake! Can't I have just one moment of peace? What are you doing here, Malfoy?" He felt like he had been struck as he whirled around to the all too familiar clear voice behind him.
Granger was sitting at the small iron table, dressed in a red long sleeved shirt and trousers. Her mane had been pulled back into a barely contained ponytail, and she was surrounded by a stack of textbooks.
He nearly snorted. Only Granger would be swotty enough to be studying at a party. He was happy to note that she was also being steadily attacked by one of the enchanted drinks, which was relentlessly knocking her on the head as she refused to accept it.
"Unlike you Granger, some of us are here to celebrate the small amount of time we can not studying. Surely even Potter and Weasleys company can't be that tragic that textbooks are preferable?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
She scowled. "Yes well, I didn't even want to come, I was basically forced here. Unlike anyone else I actually want to do well in my O. and I need to take it seriously, which - OW" The drink continued to nudge her firmly in the head as she swatted it away.
"- which no one else seems to understand, because they would rather spend their precious last few weeks - OW - go away you pest!" She continued to shove the drink away from her without accepting.
Draco chuckled to himself at the sorry sight of her struggling.
"It's enchanted, it will keep doing that until you have a drink, you know. Though I suppose you don't, since I can't imagine you get invited to many parties if this is how you chose to enjoy them" He folded his arms, with a smirk.
"Oh for goodness sake, I don't even like Firewhiskey!" It continued to swat at her, harder. "Oh all right- fine! Couldn't it be something else if I must be forced to drink this?" She sighed, exasperated as she took a small sip. "Yuck, it burns."
Draco looked down at his red fruity concoction. It was quite a girly drink, and he was extremely fond of Firewhiskey.
"Swap this then, Granger, if that will shut you up." He shoved the potion towards her as he grabbed the glass from her hands.
"Hm. I suppose if I must, this is better." She took a small cautious sip, and then another as she deemed the concoction drinkable. She shook her head.
"This is pointless anyway, I can't hear myself think." She slammed her thick textbook shut with annoyance and shoved it and the others into what Draco assumed was a magically expanded backpack. She grabbed her drink and stared out sullenly to the dark night sky.
Draco observed her annoyed expression carefully before turning back to the view. They sat in silence for a few minutes, drinking their drinks.
He wrestled with his thoughts for a moment. He was still avoiding going back downstairs to the party to be ambushed, yet he was in dangerous territory here, in such close proximity to the person he had been avoiding unnecessary contact with since last year.
"You seem even more surly than usual, Granger, if that's possible." He finally remarked, looking at her from the side of his eye.
She just scowled back at him in silence.
He raised his eyebrows innocently, "Just making conversation."
A few more moments of silence elapsed as they both stared out to the grounds. Music thudding from the closed door behind them.
Draco felt slightly strange. He racked his brain for a sarcastic remark to say, or a clever comment, but fell short. His mind didn't seem to be functioning at its usual capacity. It was absurd, Draco usually felt completely at ease in every situation, but right now he felt almost … nervous. It only seemed to be this way around her. His brow furrowed in annoyance.
"What on earth is in this drink, anyway?" She interrupted his thoughts as she eyed the potion with suspicion as she swirled the contents around "It's making me light-headed."
Draco looked at her, confused. "Trust me Granger, if I was going to roofie anyones drink I wouldn't waste it on you." He rolled his eyes, before adding "Not all of us feel the need to get an unwilling girl drunk, like your darling Krum."
Her eyes shot to him sharply. He had finally acknowledged their unspoken interaction at the Yule Ball last year.
She continued to eye him cautiously. "Well, I should hope not. And besides, I haven't spoken much to Victor since last year, so he's not 'my darling Krum'." She shook her head, before muttering something about Krum being far too much of a physical being.
Draco's eyebrows shot up in amusement.
"Is that so? How does the red haired Weasel feel about that?" He teased her.
"I don't care what he thinks about it, it's none of his concern, much less yours Malfoy." She glared at him again.
She shook her head in resignation as he continued to stare at her, waiting.
"If you must know, kissing Victor was very much like being attacked by a wet seal. And Ron seems rather preoccupied just now anyway, so I doubt he cares much about anything that may have happened between myself and Victor." She added bitterly, her expression tinged with a familiar expression of jealousy.
Draco watched her expression for another moment. He hated the Weasel, but he also hated mudbloods. So they really should be a match made in heaven. But somewhere deep down, a part of him that he had been refusing to pay attention to, swam to the surface.
He did resent Granger for her dirty blood and irritatingly snobby bookishness. But as much as he resented her, a small part of him also acknowledged that she was bright, the only witch or wizard in their year who challenged him academically. And she was also the brains of the entire Potter-Weasly-Granger dynamic, and most likely the reason they ever accomplished anything. To see her upset over Weasley felt like an injustice, mudblood or not.
"Yes, I saw the foul sight myself. Most likely his first time kissing anything but his pillow, by the looks of things." He sniffed.
His brain was feeling quite hazy now. Had he really only had 2 drinks? Well, and a sip of the unspecified potion.
He felt a little faint and sat down on the chair beside Granger, who also looked queasy. He was thankful they were outside.
She looked over to him, surprised by their close proximity, and as she looked, he noted that her pupils grew larger, blooming within her brown irises.
"How is it that every time there's a party, I end up left alone with Malfoy of all people?" She muttered to herself.
He smirked at her. "Perhaps you're drawn to me, I wouldn't blame you. I am exceptionally charming and irresistible to most ladies, and some men too."
"And exceptionally humble, too." She scoffed, but still stared at him as though she had never seen him before.
There was a moment of silence which dragged on a little too long. Draco swallowed before dragging his eyes away uncomfortably.
"Beside's, you should be thanking me. I'm certain you would have woken up on the floor if I hadn't helped you back to your room last time. You're welcome, by the way" He remarked haughtily.
Granger's cheeks flushed slightly at the reminder. She looked away shyly.
"I suppose I should thank you in that regard. Though when I woke up the next day, I was sure I had imaged the entire thing. You haven't spoken to me since, not even to tease me like you usually do." She blurted out, her face still tinged red.
Draco liked seeing her embarrassed, it made her feel more human and less cold.
"Rest assured Granger, if you want me to go back to making fun of you relentlessly I will be happy to oblige. There's lots of material to work with." He shot her a cheeky grin, as she looked back at him in exasperation and rolled her eyes.
"You were different that night. You're different now, even." She remarked, her voice was slurring slightly and Draco wondered if she could possibly be drunk again off of half of one drink. "When you're not around other people, you put on less of an act." She continued, eyeing him.
Draco didn't really know what to say to that. He tried to slip his cold mask back on but he still felt quite hazy, as if his inhibitions had been lowered.
It was getting slightly cold, and Draco muttered a warming spell conjuring a small green flame in front of them. The emerald light illuminated Granger's face as she gazed into it, and he held his breath as he drank her in.
He had been avoiding looking at her any more than necessary for the last year. But now he took in her high cheekbones, her soft skin, her parted full lips, all of which were illuminated in a slytherin green glow. She looked irritatingly beautiful.
As he began to attack his own mind for such thoughts about a mudblood, about how he shouldn't even still be here, for not just leaving when he saw her, she looked back at him suddenly.
Her gaze was soft and yet intense, and as he watched he saw her breath catch as she he fell further into her gaze.
"That potion has made me feel really strange.." She said in a soft voice, but her eyes drifted down to his lips.
Draco could feel the strange atmosphere too. He shook his head, trying to clear his mind.
"Do you need some water, Granger? The Ravenclaw who made the drink was strange, I can - " He muttered, but Granger shook her head.
"No, no. Forget it, I just want to relax. I feel relaxed. My mind is no longer racing with thoughts about exams, or studying, or Ron and Lavender-" She cut herself off and looked embarrassed.
Right. Weasly.
She reached up to let her hair out of its confining hair tie, shaking the hundreds of curls free. It has grown since last year.
He drank her in some more, the way her hair hung in springs around her shoulders. His eyes caught on the collarbone of her neck, and noted the way an embarrassed small smile crept along her lips as she caught him.
He felt like his body was burning to spite itself. He should leave now.
Instead, he whispered "You know, if you wanted to make Weasely jealous, I know a way." His voice had come out less teasingly and much darker than he intended.
He searched her face, which conveyed a flicker of confusion, mixed with something else.
She swallowed, whispering "And what way would that be?" Her surprised eyes flitted down to his lips, and her own parted as if without thinking.
Draco felt his own eyes darken and could think of nothing else but her as he inched closer and closer, the fire still casting them in jade light.
His hand moved up just under her jaw, pulling her up to face him fully. His heart was pounding in his chest.
"Let me show you what it's like to be kissed properly, Hermione." He breathed her name like a prayer, staring intensely into her warm eyes.
She stared up at him, eyes wide, but she nodded slowly, holding her breath.
Her eyes fluttered to a close as his lips met his.
He felt like he was on fire, and he surely was for committing the sin that he was. But if this was what it felt like to sin, he would burn in hell forever.
Her soft, full lips moved against his slowly. His hand cradled her face, savouring the feeling of her soft skin in his hands. He nibbled at her bottom lip as they parted, and then slowly slid his tongue inside to meet hers.
She tasted sweet and minty. He had never truly enjoyed his casual snogging with Pansy, he had mostly done it just to shut her up or because he was bored.
But this kiss felt like he had finally tasted forbidden fruit, and he was scared somebody would snatch it away from him. His brow furrowed as he deepened the kiss, his hand twisting in her hairr. He tugged it gently, pulling her head back so he could gaze down at her.
Her eyes were alight in surprise and hunger, her cheeks were flushed as she stared wordlessly back up at him.
He swept her hair back from her face, before winding a stray curl around his finger and eyeing it softly.
"You have the most wildly unruly hair I have ever seen in my life." He teased in a low murmur.
She inhaled her breath to say something in reply, the sudden sound of loud music flooded around them, and they both instinctively sprang apart.
Draco spun around in irritation to behold Weasley and Potter, who had burst on the balcony and missed the sight of himself and Hermione entwined by mere seconds.
"Hermione, we've been looking for you everywhere!" Potter exclaimed stupidly, none the wiser as Granger quickly smoothed her dishevelled hair. He was carrying a bottle of butterbeer and swinging it about like a lunatic.
Ron, on the other hand, eyed them both suspiciously.
"What's going on? What are you doing here, Malfoy?" He scowled at Draco before turning to Granger.
"What was he saying to you? Fowl ferret probably saw you up here by yourself and came up to cause trouble. Tell me, Hermione, and I'll curse him right now." He glared at Draco fiercely, and Draco rolled his eyes in return.
"Can't a man enjoy some fresh air without being threatened these days? In fact Weasel, 10 points from Gryffindor for threatening a member of the Inquisitorial Squad." He smirked in Weasly's direction, and raised his eyebrows innocently at Potter who was now scowling at him too.
"Well, I must go. Do try not to throw yourself off the balcony and die, Potter." He gave another sarcastic smile to them both, despite the fact his heart was still hammering in his chest.
His eyes found Granger as he left who was still standing like a deer caught in the headlights, a confused look on her flushed face as her eyes followed him out the door.
He allowed it to dawn on him that he had nearly been caught kissing Granger, of all people. But the most concerning part was that if he was honest, he had enjoyed kissing her more than he had ever enjoyed anything else in his entire life.
He could still feel the warmth of her breath on his, and could still picture the look in her eyes as she gazed up at him.
His head was a muddled mess, as he made his way back downstairs to where the party was still in full swing. He was passing the potion station when his eye caught the Ravenclaw who had given him the drink.
That must be it, he decided. He and Granger had been drugged with a love potion. He had only had one sip, so it must have been a strong one.
He marched towards him, grabbing him by the collar.
"You! What was in that drink you gave me? Love potion? Something else?" He spat at the boy, who looked terrified.
"No- No I couldn't have made a love potion within that time! I swear!" The boy looked petrified.
Malfoy grabbed his wand from his robes, he could smell a liar. He shoved his wand into the boy's throat, before adding in a threatening tone "If I were you, I would try to remember exactly what you put in my potion, before I practise some of the darkest curses my father has taught me on you. I'm sure Umbridge won't mind" He smiled menacingly down at the boy.
The boy's eyes widened. "Ok, Ok. You were being extremely rude, and I may have mixed in a hide-me-not concoction. It wasn't my best, but it was the only thing I had to hand, and I thought it probably wouldn't have any effect on you since it only amplifies the drinker's true feelings and makes them impossible to hide. I thought you might blurt out something embarrassing about yourself. I wasn't sure if it was even strong enough to take affect- I'm sorry-"
Draco shoved him away wordlessly, too confused to punish the Ravenclaw boy just yet.
He pushed his way through students and ducked away from Pansy as he stormed out of the common room quickly. However, in his attempt to escape, he found himself confronted by the annoying eagle door knocker.
"Even for leaving?" He scoffed impatiently.
The door knocker ignored him and crooned out:
"I consume your thoughts day and night,
In your mind, I hold great might.
Though I may start as mere fascination,
I can grow to consume your entire concentration.
Some may call me madness or compulsion,
For I thrive on your unwavering devotion."
Draco glared darkly at the brass eagle, before replying "Obsession."
The door swung open and Draco stormed through, away from Granger and potions and confusing feelings and the phantom feeling of curly hair in his hands.