Sunday, October 4
The dried leaves blanketing the forest floor crunched under their feet as the three of them trekked through the trees.
Minerva McGonagall was having no more of the bickering. She was too old to deal with such nonsense, especially from two usually sensible people. She personally despised this particular method of punishment since it involved revealing her secret, but she honestly couldn't think of another option and was at her wits end. They were only five weeks into the term and these two students were far too important to the structure of the student body to let such misconduct continue.
When the three of them came upon the clearing, she heard a small gasp from behind and sighed, knowingly.
"Professor…?"
"Yes, Miss Granger?" McGonagall replied with another sigh.
Hermione swallowed, "What exactly is this place?"
"Well…" The Headmistress replied to the seventh year behind her, "this would be my little…haven. I come here during the summer holidays to get out of the castle for a bit. However," She exhaled forcefully through her nose, "For now, it can truly only be referred to as the Timeout Cottage."
She cast a longing look toward the little wonderland before them.
On the far side of the clearing was a large waterfall that flowed into a stream. Two Unicorns were taking slow, luxurious drinks from the closer, clearer section of the stream. Pixies flew about the clearing, harming nothing as they simply enjoyed the serenity of the spot.
"Wait." She heard the other seventh year finally speak up, "'Timeout Cottage'? For…us?"
"Yes, Mister Malfoy." McGonagall replied, turning around to face the Head Boy and Head Girl.
"You want the two of us…to stay here…alone…together?" He asked with a croaking, stunned voice.
"Precisely." The older witch replied. "You two are the Heads and yet you disagree and bicker constantly. So, in order to resolve this predicament, you will both sort out whatever it is that is causing the turmoil between you. When I return to retrieve you, I expect you to be friends or a the very least, to respect one another."
"And erm… when will that be exactly?" Hermione asked.
"In one week." She replied,
"A week!" Draco exclaimed, eye bulging.
The Headmistress eyed him for a moment before speaking, "I did consider making it longer, but I trust that a week is sufficient time for you to see the error of your ways. Am I incorrect in that assessment?"
"No!" He responded quickly. "We'll erm…we'll make it work." He added with a mutter, sparing a glance at the Head Girl.
"Splendid." McGonagall said in faux happiness. "I'll see you both on Sunday."
She walked away, back through the forest with a slight hope blooming in her chest that this would work. She desperately needed them to behave the rest of the school year. They were the Heads of the student body and without proper leadership, the rest of the students would likely act completely foolishly.
Once the Headmistress was gone, Hermione sighed and slung her bag further up her shoulder before making her way toward the small cottage.
Draco watched the brunette for a moment before huffing and gripping the handle of his own bag tighter as he followed.
Entering the cottage, Hermione couldn't help but smile despite the reality of the situation. It really was an adorable cottage that had little unique touches that gave some character to the space.
Draco entered through the door behind her and grunted as he set his bag on the floor.
She sighed, ignoring him, and decided to walk through the cottage and explore it a bit. What she discovered, however, brought severe unease to her stomach. She stepped into the small kitchen and found Draco putting the kettle on to make a cuppa.
"Erm…there's only one bed." She spoke quietly.
She saw his back stiffen but he didn't reply at once. She waited a moment before finally hearing him mutter some sort of a response.
"What?" She asked, unsure that she had heard him correctly.
"I said that I'll sleep on the sofa." He said in a louder but just as unpleasant mumble.
Hermione blinked but didn't speak before turning to leave her bag in the bedroom. She grabbed one of the few books she had brought with her before making her way out of the room.
She didn't bother speaking to him as she stepped outside.
While strolling around the clearing, book in hand, she felt the peacefulness come over her that she imagined brought McGonagall there every summer.
She spotted a rather large boulder near the stream that contained a wide, curved section, perfect to sit on to read. Taking the opportunity, she walked over and sat down before opening her book.
Draco could see her from the kitchen window while he waited for the kettle to steam. The brunette was lounging on a boulder, reading one of her damn books. His grip tightened on the sink's edge as he bit his bottom lip.
The kettle began to whistle, so he flicked his wand and watched as the steaming water was poured into the waiting cup that contained a scoop of his favorite tea. The wizard opened the small refrigerator and grabbed the jar of milk. He carefully smelled it, nodded, and set it next to the sugar on the table. Evidently McGonagall had sent a House Elf to the cottage with provisions in preparation of their arrival.
As he sat down at the small, three-person table, Draco let out a long sigh. He simply could not believe that McGonagall would do this. Somone really ought to check on the witch's mental state! Sending two students to a private cottage? Utterly loony!
He huffed, shaking his head as he poured a bit of milk in the tea followed by two teaspoons of sugar before he stirred it all together.
He held the cup between his hands, attempting to take some sort of comfort from the warmth of the ceramic curve in his palm. How the bloody hell am I to become friends with her?!
Just then, the witch in question quickly entered the cottage with the sound of rain pattering through the open door before she shut it. On closer inspection, he could see that she was rather rain-soaked herself.
She didn't speak to him as she made her way to the bedroom to dry off and change. She stepped into the small bedroom and shut the door, locking it before stripping off her wet clothing. She waved her wand, drying them before reaching into her bag and grabbing a pair of lounging trousers and a large jumper. She pulled on the fresh clothes and exhaled as she sat on the edge of the bed.
She didn't think she could do this. Be in a small cottage with him for an entire week? Alone! How? Did Professor McGonagall truly believe that this would work? Did she actually think that forcing the two of us into tight confines would make us work better together?
"More likely than not it will kill either one or both of us." She muttered to herself. "Better be him." She added before putting on a new pair of socks and slippers, and walking out to the lounge, book still in hand.
She set her book on the lounge chair and walked over to the kitchen where Draco was still sitting. Silently, the brunette made herself a cuppa before taking it over to the chair. She sat down, curling her legs beneath her before taking a long sip of her tea, closing her eyes to relish the flavor.
Draco watched the scene but didn't speak. He swallowed and stood up, walking over toward her as she set the cup on the side table.
"Listen…Granger…" He began but was immediately silenced by the look she gave him.
"Must we do this now?" She asked bitterly. "We do have an entire bloody week to argue."
The wizard clenched his jaw, "I'd rather get it over with, yeah."
She sighed and laid her hand on her still-closed book.
"I know that we've got a…past…" He began and swallowed, knowing immediately that he had chosen the wrong wording.
"A past?" She repeated. "A bloody past?!" She exclaimed, standing up.
He asked for it. And if he truly wanted to do this…to have this bloody conversation, then he'd damn well get what he asked for.
Draco sighed and rubbed his jaw. McGonagall truly has no idea what she's done. Bloody Woman!
"Granger…" He began.
"You know…six weeks ago…before everything went to shite, you weren't calling me by my last name." She said with venom in her voice.
He licked his bottom lip, looking down as he nodded, "I know." He mumbled.
"You never even explained!" She shouted at him.
He nodded again but didn't speak.
"Well?!" She exclaimed. "Now's your fucking chance, Draco! Why did you do it?"
Looking up, he met her eyes which were full of so many emotions. He quietly sighed, "Hermione…"
"Don't do that!" She said angrily, pointing at him, "You don't get to suddenly switch it up. Not again." Glaring at the wizard, she continued. "Six weeks ago, I had a boyfriend. He was loving and kind and would never have done anything to hurt me. Or so I thought."
His jaw clenched but he didn't speak, seeing the tears of anger, betrayal, and pain well up in her beautiful mocha eyes.
"You said that you loved me, and I actually fucking believed it. I believed you, Draco! So, tell me…what happened? Why did I wake up on a Tuesday morning, and find a letter in your handwriting telling me that we were over and that you were…" She swallowed before inhaling deeply and continuing, "that you were engaged to Astoria Greengrass?"
He cleared his throat. "It's an erm…it's not a simple story, or a short one at that."
"Well, I suppose it's good that she gave us a week then." Hermione said as she took a seat in the chair and looked at him.
"I don't quite know where to start." He muttered.
"Try the beginning." She snapped.
He nodded and cleared his, "Okay…well…I suppose the beginning of it was on the Sunday before the letter."
She waited for him to begin, her heart hammering in her chest.