Hermione POV
It's 6am, although it's been less than 4 hours that I was marching exhausted into bed, sleeping is not possible when in merely less 12 hours I'll put my hands on the book.
Checking for the fifth time my plan and discoveries seems a good idea, maybe it'll ride my anxiety away.
Familial bonds: when someone is burned from the family tree, they lose inheritance and legal bonds, but they still have family relations. They are still related. But to cut the familial bond is like erasing part of DNA through magic. An anonymous pureblooded family did it in the year of 1234 so two siblings could marry and have children. It's a taboo to do it, apparently you shouldn't want to get rid of the familial bond no matter what. It seems so much of a disgrace that it is only mentioned in a footnote on the last page of the fake-white-peacock-book.
Paternity tests: there are muggle DNA but they are expensive and I`d need someone of age to acquire them. Magical side seems easier: there are two ways, the first is to brew a potion and let it simmer for 10 days using a strand of my hair and another of a close relative such as a sibling, first cousin, direct aunts, parents, or grandparents; the second is to make a portable tapestry with my own blood. But for it to work I need a special woven fabric, I checked yesterday and they don't sell it at Hogsmeade.
Trace on underaged: I asked Flitwick under the pretence that I want to trace my half-kneazle when he's not in my room. Flitwick was enthusiastic and shared the trace only work on wood and not on animals. So I can either buy an unregistered wand or learn wandless magic [A/N: I'll leave the wandless for another fic]. Because wandless learners tend to have bouts of accidental magic and buying a wand would leave a track, I'll learn the basics of the lore and make my own.
Check for traits inherited: pending on getting the book
Tell Luna and test subjects: pending on getting the book
It's 12pm, time for lunch. There is a Slytherin girl staring at me. Did Malfoy mention the tutoring to her? Is this a jealous girlfriend? Is it a prank? Should I skip today's meeting?
No, I can't afford the luxury of not doing my best to get the book. Chop chop Hermione, eat your food and ask what Luna knows of wandlore.
For the last 30 minutes I've been preparing the assessment we'll cover in our first tutoring session. Finally it's 5pm sharp when Malfoy arrives, he looks smart, he smells too strongly of parfum, has pink flushed cheeks and embroidering robes? Jesus, that's why the blond witch stared at me. Malfoy might've postponed their date for after our tutoring session.
"Hello Granger"
"Hello Malfoy, please take a seat. Did you bring a coin?"
"Yes." He sets something heavy on a chair next to him and pours the content of a fat coin pouch on the table.
"Are all those coins galleons?" A simple knut would suffice. I heard his family is wealthy but this is preposterous.
"Do you like galleons? They can be yours. And I brought us some apples" the next part is muttered "...and some chocolate too." It's the effect of sleeping deprivation. I just imagined Malfoy offering chocolate to me, a Mudblood . This is definitely not happening for real.
"Ha, very funny Malfoy. I don't want your galleons and it's forbidden to eat in the library." Why does he look so crestfallen? Is it part of the prank? Or has he lost some bet? I put all the galleons back into his pouch and let one out so we can start the assessment.
20 minutes into our meeting I already have some idea on how to address his difficulties. Even if they are sparse and easy to fix.
"Well, I think that's all for today. I'll make a study plan so we can improve your skills. You're already well versed, so I think 2 or 3 Sundays and will be ready to claim second place in Transfiguration as well."
"Okay, now why don't I show you the book?"
"Show me? Are you not lending me it?" Oh no I need to look at the book alone and take notes of the traits.
"I am. But it's a heavy and delicate book, owls cannot carry it, magic cannot be used to turn pages or Gemino it." He is so smug. "There are only 5 copies available. Here let me show you how it works."
Suddenly he is sitting next to me with a ginormous book in front of us.
"You have to touch the tips of your thumb on the lock with the intent of checking something specific, if you just want to wander around, the book will not open."
Suddenly the book lit up and we were granted access to two large sections of the book. The Blacks and The Malfoys.
"As you can see I come from a long line of wizards and witches. Witch Weekly already has printed articles that I'll be the most Eligible Bachelor in Europe in some years." Is he really bragging? Is this his new way of bullying? Telling me I don't belong to the wizarding world by showing his impeccable heritage?
"Thank you for the book Malfoy." I grab it before he changes his mind. "Well, our meeting is set again for next Sunday. I should be going, so I don't keep you away from your date. Bye" Before he can retort, I'm almost reaching the hallway.
A/N to Ana Dolohov: that's my favourite route for any story: the male falls in love first. I like it that way and I'm glad to know you enjoy it too : )
A/N to Michelle Weasley: you're welcome