12 Your soup cauldron

27 January 2000

On having returned to Hogwarts in September it had become her habit to sit facing the main aisle that divided the Great Hall lengthwise. The irony of feeling safer with her back to the Slytherin table than to whoever may or may not walk along behind her back and jinx her wasn't lost on her as wasn't the fact that she, regardless of the constant vigilance regarding said whoever, never had her wand ready. It was tucked-up in her sleeve as usual and she would not use it against every threat either. Hexes from everyday student trouble would make her draw her wand, but those were not the ones that made her sit facing the aisle. No, the people whom she most likely would let have their way were the reason. She wanted to see them coming and most of all having to face her. If they wanted blood revenge in the end, they would have to mean it. They would have to look her in the eye. She wouldn't act all self-abandoned.

.o.O.o.

In the end of January three of said people just walked through the door of the Great Hall and headed for the Head Table. At least two of them caused an increasing murmur ending in applause and very many pats on the back. They hadn't seen her. This was due to another habit: sitting at the beginning of the long Gryffindor table, directly at the entrance. People at first usually look into the distance of a room to get an overview and only then focus on details. With the greatness of the Hall, this was surely only about to happen when having stepped well into it. Thus, the first ten people sitting close to the entrance had a good chance of staying unnoticed the longest. This was to Hermione's liking.

The teachers at the Head Table seemed to have noticed the tumult as well and curious gazes scanned the hall. Hermione fought the urge to search for Severus' look. The more she saw of him, the harder their lost proximity became to bear. She had the ring of course, but it rested on her bedside table. What use would there be for him to know how she felt, but being stuck someplace else. And she also didn't fancy the feeling that he knew and wouldn't come. Above all she didn't want him to know that her overall emotional state was one to cause the ring to warm up. No, it was time to get a grip and care for herself again. She wasn't a child and living her own life. At least she wasn't on the receiving end of his bashing anymore. A tiny nagging fear inside her that this would be well within the range of possibilities after having settled-in again had remained. The first three weeks of school, however, had been pleasantly peaceful so far.

The same seemed to go for Draco. As far as she was able to witness he had two housemates, who valued his presence at least for meals and walking between classes. So he wasn't alone and while that made her happy on his behalf, it didn't do much for her own wellbeing. There was this jealous voice telling her that an ex-Death Eater was valued more than she was. Well, maybe Draco's company had a dubious attitude, but at least regarding Louis du Monceau Hermione was rather convinced from the opposite and hoped for Draco's sake that she was right.

"Harry! Ron! Ginny! It's a pleasure to have you here again!" Minerva exclaimed on their arrival and distracted Hermione from musing. The three of them were less loud in answering and shaking staff hands. It seemed that Harry was still the humble young man she had been friends with.

Being careful not to stare at the Head Table to indulge at least in the sight of the young man whose friendship she missed so dearly, she tried to keep her emotions at bay to prevent an anxiety attack by focusing on breathing and slowly sipping her pumpkin juice. As soon as they would have settled at the table and their fans would huddle around them, she would take her silent leave.

"Sit down at your House table, you three," Minerva addressed the trio and then the rest of the students in an ear-piercing voice, "Silence! Until the weekend some former students of Hogwarts that were prevented from taking their NEWTS due to reasons known to all of you, will stay here to take some tests, so you may calm down now since you'll all get a chance to approach them."

Her announcement was appreciated by cheerful applause, especially loud at the Gryffindor table. Hermione looked in their direction and unexpectedly found herself meeting familiar green eyes. It was unexpected that she couldn't see distaste in them, but then she turned her gaze away again suddenly feeling sick. Now the urge to leave nearly overwhelmed her, but right now it would look like running away and they would see- all of them. And although she shouldn't care, she did, as she preferred not giving anyone any satisfaction regarding this.

Right now Hermione achingly missed Severus' reassuring physical presence, which added to her strain as did the question if he had known about the trio's visit and not told her. The feeling of loneliness, a meanwhile old companion, was creeping through her and when it seemed to have reached every fiber of her body it became indeed unbearable – not due to being surrounded by hundreds of students, but due to the presence of people she liked and with whom she couldn't converse freely or who wouldn't civilly converse with her. More pumpkin juice then: she sipped it slowly and concentrated on exactly two breaths in between in an attempt to keep her wits about her.

As typical for him Severus had schooled his face to blankness at the show before him. When the three of them had been greeted by Minerva he had scanned the room and witnessed Hermione's fight for composure and Draco's glance, cold as ice. In the moment that Severus had decided to walk over to the young woman in order to maneuver her out of the hall by false pretenses, he saw Draco getting up from behind her. The blond man approached the Gryffindor table with the Malfoys' signature expression of haughtiness in the face of the unworthy and Severus intuitively stayed put.

A voice next to her startled Hermione.

"I know you'd love to reunite with the hero now, but I don't intend wasting my time for this. Afternoon classes are about to start and it's my turn with the books," Draco said snottily.

"Ahem-, books?" she stared at him incomprehensively.

"Really now, Granger? You of all people! Yes, books. Sheets of paper, bound together within covers. Remember? But if you prefer it, I could always get Professor Snape to remind you of our arrangement," he said warningly.

Suddenly it clicked and Hermione rose to her feet.

"It would have been decent to let me at least swallow the last bite before approaching, Malfoy. An undisturbed lunch break is obviously asked too much."

"Sorry to rain on your parade," Draco mocked, "but time flies." He tapped at his pocket watch.

"My parade is perfectly dry and our arrangement didn't imply conversation," she sneered and stalked past him to the exit.

They both felt gazes on them, but steadily walked out of the Great Hall, through the entrance hall and into the corridor where Hermione's quarters were.

"Where are we going?" Draco asked quietly in case they were overheard somehow.

"My quarters. You need books to render our story plausible," she returned and when they had reached her door she thought the password and the door swung open and closed firmly behind them.

"Sit down where you like," she offered, but then came to think. "If you want to stay, that is, otherwise there is the bookshelf. Non-fictional books are in the upper four rows, just choose some as alibi." Hermione was suddenly unsure.

Shooting her an incomprehensive look, Draco settled into the sofa.

"Why are you not in the dorm in Gryffindor Tower?"

"I'm just tolerated and they like to pretend I'm not here. So the guest quarters."

"This would have been useful information," Draco said somewhat reproachfully. "We could have inconspicuously met," he added, but then saw Hermione's now incomprehensive look and pressed his lips together facing down with a sudden fear of being rejected. This was an unexpected feeling and having it unsettled him.

Hermione smiled.

"Oh-, I didn't expect you- well, yes. Are yours in the dungeons?"

The young man visibly relaxed now.

"I'm given the honor to suffer through being a Malfoy in the dorm amidst all those wondrously, but of course only superficially sainted Slytherins," he said sourly.

"Hmm, to make up for your tragedy, I trust I only have these quarters at all, because they like to pretend I'm not here, which would be challenging given the obligatory paperwork should the whore known for collateral damage have an 'accident' in the tower amongst all those Gryffindor saints," Hermione said, trying to sound airily, but Draco was irritated by her openness and watched her vigilantly. "I'm a bit off-track. I'm still struggling with readapting to being on my own again and what I need least of all is the new trio to be here rubbing it in. Ahem, before I forget: Thank you for having spared me to look like a coward," she said.

"Don't mention it. I just saw the weasel shooting you this murderous look and then, well, I put two and two together and thought I might have a go for it."

Now Hermione was glad that she had refrained from letting her gaze wander to Ron and Ginny.

"What twos did you put together?"

"Holidays at Severus' - obviously. Your frail condition, your not-family, the looks, the talks-, the tales about 'the whore known for collateral damage' in the old Prophets I read this week," he said calmly.

The notion that he knew the whole range now was unsettling despite their well-disposed enmity, as they called it, of late. That was a lot of easy ammo in the hands of a pro like him. Memories of his disgust for her popped-up again and she deliberately avoided looking at him.

"We are nearly late for Potions," she dismissed them.

Before heading for the door she looked at the two books on Runes Draco had chosen.

"I'll need them back tomorrow. I still haven't quite managed to finish the Runes' homework."

"That's actually why I took them," he admitted smilingly, "I'm also still catching up with that- of course and Spellman's Syllabary wasn't really helpful so far."

Hermione hummed in approval.

"I'll read them tonight. If I find out, I'll fill you in tomorrow morning before class," he offered enthusiastically on their way out.

Completely taken by surprise, Hermione suddenly smiled.

"I'd like that. You could just drop by here," she offered and before continuing to walk, she added, "Ahem, we better walk separately to the classroom."

Draco nodded and gallantly allowed her a head start.

At the classroom door he had caught up with her again as she stood frozen in the doorframe and only managed to turn slightly away from the opening in which Draco now came to a halt instead. Not only her fellow Gryffindors, but also most of the Slytherins had surrounded the trio and they could hear Ron telling a wild Quidditch story to his excited audience.

Unexpectedly, a warm hand touched her back and a velvety voice reached her ear.

"Breathe-," Severus said lowly and she felt his thumb slowly stroking her shoulder blade, "Head up high-, breathe again-, now walk."

When she had followed his instructions Severus shoved both youngsters into the room and flicked the door shut with a bang behind him.

"Silence! Whoever hasn't done so far, look at the blackboard and sit down accordingly—now!" he growled and with a swirl walked to the front of the room while all students hurried into their newly assigned seats. On turning around he looked at the two he had just shoved inside. They had impassively remained where he had left them watching their classmates.

"Since class has started with my entering I strongly suggest that you Mr. Malfoy instantly move into the back row and that Miss Granger follows. Be here early next time so you're up to date," he arched an eyebrow at them before addressing the whole class, "The time for working with a partner of your choice is over," he snarled. "It's only four months until the NEWTS and the performance of the whole class is lacking. I've vigilantly watched your work for two weeks of the new term now and decided for some changes. From now on you'll work in teams of two. Your team partner is whoever is right now directly sitting next to you. I ensure you that I'm not in the least interested in your preferences or antipathy towards each other. I strongly advise you to arrange with your partner for the next 90 minutes, because you'll not only brew together, but also receive the same mark in the end."

It was unusual but some Slytherins indeed dared to moan at his announcement.

"Sir, that's not fair for those burdened with a handicap," Leander exclaimed and some fellow Slytherins mumbled in agreement.

"And what, Mr. Marquardt, would qualify as a handicap in your case?"

Leander nodded at his partner Howard Drummond, a Gryffindor, who qualified as the next Neville. That poor boy simply wasn't talented at all regarding Potions. Sadly also nothing more than average in most other subjects as well. He could fly though and was the new Quidditch seeker for Gryffindor, which at least wrenched some respect from his fellow housemates.

"And Draco now has the same problem with the-," Leander added.

"Choose your words wisely, Mr. Marquardt," Severus growled before looking at the blonde man. "Mr. Malfoy, do you feel handicapped?"

"I do, but not having rehearsed properly is really something I cannot blame Granger for. Thus, dauntingly challenged rather," Draco answered pensively.

Severus addressed the whole class again.

"Distribute the work between you according to your respective resources. Should you have complaints, share them with your friends after class. I'll decide about the final team composition after having checked the tests of Mr. Potter and his friends, who will join the teams next week."

Ron's moan on this information was ignored by the dark man.

"Mr. Potter, I recommend you remember what I think of your celebrity status and of encouraging or dwelling on it while in my classroom. The three of you will write a test for which you have sixty minutes. You'll start when the other students start brewing. Until then feel free to brush up your knowledge." Severus now turned to the class.

"As for the rest, you'll brew the Wound-Cleaning Potion today. You should still be familiar with it from sixth year, so with your NEWTS in mind, try to remember the process. No books. One minute to make up your mind and then get your ingredients. In order to support your heroes here in the front I'd suggest you refrain from the slightest chattering while brewing. And now start," Severus finished.

Hermione pulled herself together and walked past the trio to collect their potions ingredients. On her way back Ron made a sudden movement towards her with the leg that pointed at the aisle and she was glad her reflexes prevented her from spilling it all on the floor. Thanks to the fact that they all feared the Potions master no one dared to make more noise than necessary.

"Mr. Weasley, I strongly suggest controlling your extremities, otherwise you'll find yourself cleaning my classroom floor and restocking my supplies tonight," Severus menacingly growled.

"I only stretched my-," was as far as Ron came, when Harry elbowed him in the ribs.

Severus now practically towered over the red-haired man.

"Don't argue! And now put your books away and take quill and parchment. You'll start in two minutes," Severus said menacingly lowly-voiced and in exactly this manner he also addressed the rest of the class, "No more chatting for anyone."

Satisfied, Severus saw that his menacing potential was still superb since the complete silence prove that they collectively felt sufficiently intimidated. He Accioed the test sheets and gestured the trio to start their work.

Suppressing the urge to punch that red-haired idiot into next week for his behavior, he secretly looked at the back row. His pixies seemed to be relaxed in each other's presence and just like at the door before, they stood closer to each other than the space asked for, which underlined Severus' intuitive assumption that Draco's approach of her at lunch an hour ago had been tactical. At the notion that they might indeed become something like real friends, he felt a sting of jealousy, immediately followed by a bad conscience. Hermione needed a friend. Draco needed a friend. But he knew this was not about need or lack of options anymore, they were simply taking to each other and Severus felt increasingly excluded. You are their teacher. Pull yourself together!

.o.O.o.

About an hour later, Severus had seen enough jog trot and decided to intervene before Hermione would cut herself. On advancing the last row he was stopped by the sound of a vial smashing on the floor behind him. The room fell totally silent and everyone watched the mess Howard had just created. Hermione sympathized with him, since his clumsiness was surely due to extreme nervousness for being in Professor Snape's class and above all crowned with a partner like cockily aggressive Leander. The latter was stunned and in the second that he wanted to shout something at Howard, Severus voice silenced him.

"Step back Mr. Drummond," Severus ordered the petrified Gryffindor, "The rest of you return to your task, no talking."

"Professor, are we really marked together?" Leander now asked.

"I said no talking, Mr. Marquardt," Severus said less menacingly than expected.

"But sir, I mean, I didn't let it fall down."

"Five points from Slytherin for insolence. Mr. Marquardt, are you having a vial of your own?"

"No, you said-"

"So would you rather be marked according to your non-existent vial or according to the contents of the one that just broke?" he asked airily and was satisfied with the sheepish look on Leander's face. The self-righteous arrogance of this boy reminded him strongly of the young Draco and after having hunkered down in front of the liquid on the floor Severus allowed himself some seconds of distraction by the realization of how much Draco had indeed changed within the last month only. Better than anyone, Severus knew about the significance of who loves you, for what reasons and how they show it. Hermione and he had apparently done a good job so far in patiently navigating Draco towards his real self. And he surely still had way to go.

Severus ditched his finger into the potion, smelled and then tasted it before getting up again.

"Exceed Expectations. Mr. Marquardt you clean the mess on the floor, Mr. Drummond the utensils- by hand. Be more careful with my equipment next time."

The silence was now noticeably one of incomprehensible astonishment. Not only had the grim Potions master taken points from his own House, but he had also marked the result fair although the mess had been caused by the negligence of the already disfavoured Gryffindor team mate.

Lost in thoughts about Severus' unexpected behavior, Hermione startled slightly at his voice in front of her.

"Next time you're planning to make a- soup, bring your apron so no one confuses you with a brewer. You'll get a second chance tonight at seven. You are well advised to know the preparation steps by heart by then. You are dismissed, Mr. Malfoy may continue alone."

Hermione simply stared at him.

"Is anything unclear Miss Granger?" he asked calmly.

"No, sir," she whispered, gathered her stuff loosely in her hands and headed for her quarters to give-in to a proper nervous breakdown before dinner. And above all, real detentions were no longer cancelled.

.o.O.o.

At seven precisely she knocked at his office door and as it swung open, he stepped outside and without a word shoved her to the Potions classroom door where Draco was waiting already. Puzzled though she was, she had no intention of questioning any of them. Hermione longed for more sleep and after nearly three weeks she was still busy getting used to the lack of Severus' physical presence here at school. To put it plainly: She missed him and wished she could have dwelled a bit longer on his warm hand on her back.

They followed their teacher into the room and sat down in the front row.

"You skipped dinner," Draco stated quietly.

Hermione nodded. "I slept."

"I knocked at your door earlier," he added somewhat reproachfully.

Hermione looked flabbergasted at this revelation. Draco had been concerned enough to seek her out. He had obviously been serious about what he had said about meeting earlier. She was pleased.

They were interrupted by Severus.

"You can chat in your free time," he said lowly-voiced and both youngsters fell silent. "I changed tonight's plan. You are both here as I want you to write a test similar to that our cherished guests took today." He didn't even try to hide his sarcasm. "After having once again witnessed both your cooking skills in class today, I decided that an assessment of your status quo wouldn't go amiss. Especially given that you," he nodded at Hermione, "are not making the progress I hoped you would."

"I'm sorry," she said automatically though not knowing what for – maybe for disappointing herself; for being unable to find her overambitious inner swot again that valued knowledge above everything and gained it restlessly. And it seemed to get worse even, since the probably strictest and most demanding teacher around had just surprised her with an unannounced test and she didn't panic. Goodness, was she already beyond repair?

"This is not about apologies," the dark man simply returned and the absence of warmth or understanding in his voice brought her over the edge – suddenly this was too much for her. Hermione wasn't sure why, maybe because of the whole situation with the trio, the lack of proper academic progress and Severus' closeness. Right now his private self seemed far farer away than in class before. She saw the sheet in front of her and heard him talk, but didn't understand. Her ears buzzed slightly. Automatically she focused on breathing to prevent a panic attack.

When someone squeezed her hand she looked up and into black eyes, which assessed her vigilantly.

"Whenever you are ready, Miss Granger," he emphasized sociably.

She nodded, but remained motionless otherwise. On a whim Severus threw a privacy charm over them both and hunkered down next to her desk to be on eye level before squeezing her hand again to get her attention. This felt more than awkward in this room. "Hermione, this is nothing you can fail at or disappoint with. But as your teacher I need you to give your best now to help me evaluate your STATUS QUO to ensure you'll pass your NEWTS. And I mean not just somehow, but brilliantly. Alright?" he asked and smiled at her encouragingly.

"Alright," she returned blankly although being aware of his amiability, "I think I'm a bit off-track."

"I gathered as much. We'll talk later, but now you start!" he commanded gently and while squeezing her hand once again, he got up and lifted the charm.

After having finished she was glad for the nap she had taken and that Severus only wanted notes from them, not sentences and thus forty-five minutes had sufficed for it.

"Mr. Malfoy you may go and come back half past nine. Until then do some learning-, read a potions book," Severus suggested, "Miss Granger, today's cauldron is waiting for you."

Draco was confused by his attitude. Only an hour ago Severus had mentioned her poor progress.

"Did I get it wrong before or shouldn't we both better be learning?" Draco asked and Hermione's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Pardon?" Severus sneered, "Miss Granger is serving detentions and oh- I forgot. Mr. Malfoy, help me, since when get students to determine the contents of detentions?"

"I thought-"

"And you're doing yourself great credit with this, but it's essentially what you were supposed to do until three minutes ago-. You cleaned both your utensils after class, she cleans your- soup cauldron now."

The younger man, however, refused to let go of the topic.

"If she finished before you, could she learn until you've finished checking?" Draco asked.

Hermione had stopped hiding her confusion about his behavior. She thought he had a good point, but couldn't see his intentions in challenging his Head of House like this and on her behalf. Just like Severus she simply stared at him.

"You may," he said very slowly while facing her, "I trust you to do the cleaning unsupervised and to not complain to Minerva about my lax detention administration." With the faintest flicker of a grin Severus swirled through the door leading to his office.

Draco Accioed a bucket of soapy water and a sponge and started to clean the cauldron. Hermione simply kept starring.

"What are you doing, Draco?" she whispered.

"Oh Velve, that's too Gryffindor. You can actually see it," he returned snidely.

"Spare me that. You know I'll have to do another one anyways, don't you? Or two, if he's adequately pissed- or you'll get another one, too. What I want to say is that you're probably not really helping anyone here. Better be off learning a bit," she returned, suddenly longing for this chance, too.

"I solved the Runes' riddle with an older book from Blishen that he referred to in Advanced Rune Translation. I found it in the library and if I don't have a major understanding issue, it is actually rather simple, but I wanted to precautiously discuss it with you. So start scrubbing, would you?" he said eagerly.

Hermione had returned to just staring and the only thing she managed to do was not to gape like a fish. She saw a completely new Draco in front of her. The, usually, arrogant snob of a pureblood wizard wanted to share his knowledge with her and even got so excited about it that he willingly scrubbed a cauldron with her – the Muggle way. She had to suppress the sudden urge to call Severus and check if he saw it too or if she got delusional.

"Start!" he ordered her sternly and sounded slightly like Severus.

Hermione gathered herself and smiled. She would gladly scrub another cauldron just for this feeling right now.

They had finished everything after twenty minutes and sat down in the back row to talk about the Runes' riddle. None of them recognized Severus at the door, who had gotten irritated by their animated chatter and now watched them sharing knowledge. He had the test results ready and they were expectedly lacking, but probably not only in his class, thus he decided for pedagogical usefulness and let them dwell on their learning for a bit more.

.o.O.o.

After having roared back into his signature teacher mode by half nine and sufficiently telling them off for dawdling away their school career, he provided them both with a learning list the processing of which should lead to having caught up with the rest of the seventh year students within four weeks. The youngsters looked shell-shocked.

"Miss Granger, I've decided to change detentions for you pending further notice. Mr. Malfoy, you'd be well advised to listen as well. This plan goes for the two of you." He assessed them both now. "You'll be learning tomorrow night and over the weekend. Monday night you'll be able to answer questions on point one to ten on the list. Then I'll provide you with another goal, which will be due Friday night. Thus, you'll be at my quarters at seven on Mondays and Fridays and the time Miss Granger would usually spend here in detentions will be used for learning and not socializing," he said very slowly, but stopped at the sight of Draco's furrowed brows, "What is it?"

"Seriously-, have you met us?" the young man asked.

"Granted," Severus lip twitched slightly, "Should you have questions you're welcome to ask. But try to solve them as a team before bothering me and I strongly advise to be prepared for our appointments- otherwise measures will be taken. Nod, when we are clear on that," he commanded.

They both did and mumbled their thank yous, obviously flabbergasted: Severus Snape had just offered his support and had even provided them with a learning schedule.

Hermione side-glanced at Draco to see if he had also filtered Severus' niceness out of his not exactly commonly amenable speech. He looked pleased, too. Well, he was a Slytherin after all. Despite their private caring experience with him, being offered personal training in school by his teacher persona surely felt oddly nice to both of them.

"Miss Granger, next time, you'll do the assigned tasks the way I ordered you to. Am I understood?"

Severus recognized satisfied that Hermione at least had the decency to blush.

"Yes sir."

He leaned towards them now.

"And from Monday onwards, I expect the two students with the capacity of being top in my class to attend lessons in proper brewer rather than pixie mode. Better save that one for birthdays," he finished and offered them a smile, which they slowly returned. "Detention is over. I suggest postponing tea until Monday evening. But I'd like to talk with you, Hermione. If you have a minute?" he asked.

"Of course," she said and heard the irritation in her voice herself.

It was totally surreal to have him change between teacher-student and whatever-whatever relationship in the blink of an eye.

"I'll need to get your books anyway. I'll be waiting at your quarters," Draco said and then smiled at the older man, "Thank you Severus, good night."

Draco was full of surprises tonight and Hermione allowed herself to dwell on it. Given that he seemed authentic and relaxed about this, she had decided to trust him.

Severus interrupted both their thoughts: his were circling around the sting of jealousy he felt towards Draco and their date at her door.

"How are you now?"

Turning around to him, she tilted her head slightly.

"I have just been chastised, punished, offered help, and complimented by the strictest and most critical teacher of this school- I'm totally fine," she answered hoarsely.

Severus twitched his lips.

"Yes, that one seems to be having a special day today, I heard he managed not to skin a certain misbehaving redhead today."

"And the Quidditch league greatly owes him for his restraint, but there were far more impressive things he did in class today," she answered.

Severus heard and saw that she was honest about this and couldn't deny that he liked the feeling this evoked.

"Had I known that Hogwarts would be hosting celebrities today, I'd have informed you."

She nodded. "Thank you for- everything today."

He nodded. The situation became slightly uncomfortable again due to what was yearned for, but couldn't be asked for or offered. Hermione started fidgeting.

"Good night, Severus."

"Good night," he smoothed.

The velvety voice put her over the edge and made her stride towards him. Coming to a halt with practically no distance between them anymore, she just made to encircle his waist, but suddenly found herself hugged close. She instantly melted against him.

"You're welcome anytime. And maybe think about wearing the ring," Severus whispered into her hair.

"I know. But I'm not a child. I want to manage it on my own."

"That's what you do by seeking out support if necessary,"

"I rather just seek out this," she whispered nearly inaudible.

"Anytime," his voice was shaky.

When Hermione tightened her embrace in reply, he put one hand to massage her scalp and pressed a kiss on top of her head as had become a habit. Merlin, he missed her and their closeness and knew about the inappropriateness.

.o.O.o.

Draco waited behind a suit of armor next to her door and once inside they prepared tea before settling into the armchairs. After having discussed Severus' behavior, especially the complimenting and supporting part, they found themselves planning their leeway make-up in Runes and Potions for a start. Interestingly their plan had evolved around the implicitness of the two of them forming a study team.

After nearly two hours Hermione absently mused whether Draco found their companionship here in school as pleasingly irritating as she did. She couldn't help but feeling some need to be cautious – after all they had a history in which he had loathed her for what she couldn't help being. However, he had overcome his underlying aggression for four weeks now. Nevertheless, she was bound to see that he still was Draco Malfoy, the Slytherin. But one, who had rescued her today based on his intuition and who, of his own accord, had done house elf chores the Muggle way just to be able to help her academically afterwards and without negative strings attached for her. That, she decided, was more than enough.

"I should sneak back to my dorm," Draco said wearily and obviously lacking enthusiasm at the prospect.

Hermione focused back on him from her place in the huge armchair.

"Should you need a sanctuary from all the saints in the dungeons, you're welcome on my sofa."

"Do I appear to you as the guy on the sofa?"

"Ooh. Sorry, I forgot that the armchair-incident in Spinner's End was a slip and nothing to go by. Of course even the humble likes of I gather that only a four-poster bed in an airy bedroom with connected bath and butler service would be befitting your rank, Mr. Malfoy, sir. But I also trust that the protocol of your superior social education equipped you with the sense of decency to waive your own benefit in favor of a woman, regardless of her rank," she returned and when she recognized that Draco wasn't quite sure what to make of it, added, "Sorry, bit late for sentences that long, huh? You- won't- get- my—bed, but you can have the sofa. You do realize that you are a wizard, right?"

He intricately fished for his wand and held it between index finger and thumb while eying it suspiciously.

"I knew there was a reason for carrying around this ominous stick."

Hermione snickered and Draco joined in, but then gathered himself again.

"You wouldn't mind me staying?"

Assessing the young man with a small smile, she leaned forward.

"Shockingly no. I'd even offer you some privacy."

Flicking her wand she arranged her bookshelves to move away from the wall and two meters into the room, then she levitated the sofa into the space behind it and out of sight.

"I trust you can do a spell that transforms it into a comfy bed?" she asked with an arched eyebrow.

"I happen to have some skills as well," he said with feigned snobbishness.

"I gathered as much. Won't you be missed?"

"Missed? No. My absence recognized? Sure. They won't dare asking, however, since most of them have some concerning kind of awe for me," he said meaningfully. "But my absence will surely make for some nice rumors." Draco grinned.

"And if they ever found out, they'd never believe it in the first place and then surely would come up with great stories, I suppose. Imagine the possibilities: Slytherin, Gryffindor, man, woman, you and me of all people - the stuff rumors are made of. I happen to have some experience in the Muggle world with this as of late," Hermione said snickering.

"Would you mind some more over here?" Draco now asked cautiously.

"You know, it's as they say: Once your reputation is gone-,"

"You can boldly carry on," Draco finished for her. "That feels rather deliberating, when having a confidant, but seriously now!?"

"Not at all. I mean it could be worse for me than being associated with one of the most handsome and smart men available at this school," Hermione answered and his flabbergasted face made her snicker.

"Thank you-, I think-," he slowly said, but then gathered himself, "for not reducing me to my stunning appearance."

Her laughter was so catchy that Draco couldn't help but letting go too.

"You're welcome," she managed under her breath.

"A private connection with me might lead to more Death-Eater whore rumors and aggressions. I don't think you need those," Draco cautiously weighed in and felt his chest hurt on behalf of both of them.

Hermione assessed him. He had gone paler, while Hermione felt her cheeks burn.

"I hate this crap, I honestly hate this crap! No one would give a damn had we been sorted into the same House, because then it would likely be considered as the natural course of things. It's tiring that two adults have to discuss their worries regarding a probable revelation of their- well-disposed enmity due to having been sorted into different Houses when they were eleven and with the war- and education-related shit that worsened it all. I consider myself over it. Houses and an unreflected belief in rigid traits of character ascribed to them have pushed good kids like you into the arms of Voldemort and forced them to cope with horrors that shouldn't have been theirs. Three Houses and many teachers have done very little, if anything at all, to save your souls. I interact with people that convince by actions, not words regardless of the opinions of others. You should know by now, we've met some years ago already," Hermione stopped on realizing that she had gotten carried away.

Draco opposite her didn't move. Apart from swallowing hard, he simply looked at her in amazement and if he were someone else, he would surely hug her now. His antipathy towards returning to his dorm grew.

Since he didn't seem inclined to talk, Hermione continued.

"Ahem, but you may want to think about how a connection with me could affect probable relationships," Hermione said.

Now Draco's gaze turned to questioning, but he still remained silent.

"Apart from the obvious nasty rumor problem, it may also attract the wrong sex. Or rather discourage the right one," she elaborated cautiously and aware that she might spook him with her indication. His blushing proved her apprehension as Draco's face was completely red now and glowed below his white-blond hair.

"What? How-," he nearly spat through gritted teeth and got to his feet.

There he was again, the familiar Draco. Hermione tilted her head and tried for a disarming smile.

"Well, apart from your confirmation just now, I'm also quite observant. I see where your looks go," she said calmly and crooked a half-smile, "and I daresay that I'm not equipped to your preferences and that I'm significantly too pale for your liking."

Draco literally fell back down into the armchair carefully avoiding her gaze.

"Where does he look?" he asked after an endless minute of silence.

To prevent a too bright smile she bit her lip.

"Pale blondes. And definitely those not in the habit of wearing bras."

At that Draco beamed very shortly before schooling his face back to neutrality and accepting the cup of tea Hermione handed him wordlessly.

.o.O.o.

From the drawer in her bedroom she took a plain T-shirt, a towel, one set of extra sheets and one of the pillows from her bed and put it all in the lap of the still motionless young man before squeezing his shoulder shortly and bidding him goodnight.

He only reacted when she had reached her bedroom door.

"Velve!- Sleep tight. Call it a night at seven to prepare before Runes?"

Hermione arched an eyebrow. "Impressive. You are even worse a swot than I am! I take it that we go for Os in all NEWTS, right?"

Draco nodded.

"We do now! Let's shut the critics up."

"I'm in. See you at seven." Smiling, she exaggeratingly blew him a kiss. "Sweet dreams."