Chapter 8: 7th floor
Hermione couldn't get Draco's look extinguished from her mind. It irritated her how quickly he went back to his normal demeanor after such an intimate encounter with her - the female antagonist of the loathed Golden Trio. She couldn't claim she knew what he was thinking but she did know the other side of the coin when it came to Draco. She was well-acquainted with his cruelty, his arrogance and even his modus operandi. He would take the less brave route. He would prefer oblivion rather than the truth. He would revel in shadows and focus on the goal Voldemort entrusted him with because, in his case, fear reigned higher than moral duty. And how could it not when Hermione knew for a fact that the Dark Lord was holding his family captive, threatening to terminate the lives of people he held dear? He was caught in the middle but, so was she.
Holding the keys to the future, Hermione had to tread carefully and choose which ones to use and which to put aside for one wrong move would be enough to alter the course of their lives indefinitely. Past and future were constantly interconnected and intervening with each was truly a fickle thing. Their victory in the future had come at the price of many sacrifices but at least Voldemort had been defeated. The goal would always be to put an end to the Darkest Wizard of all time and one would be a fool to believe that recreating the same scenarios to ensure success was achievable. Situations were already being altered. Hermione herself was no longer the same person. All of these facts were her new reality and consequently, the challenges to her mission. And if her new target would be obtaining a better outcome in the future, Hermione had to readjust.
Having left Harry's side, Hermione made a beeline to the one place that could offer her answers: the Hogwarts library. She looked down at her arm, her wristwatch telling her she had half an hour left before the library closed for the night - plenty of time for Hermione to browse the shelves for a particular book of interest. She only hoped it would not be in the Restricted Section
With a swift nod of her head, Hermione said hello to Madam Irma Pince and marched towards a distinctive shelf, where rows and rows of books were beckoning her to pick them up. Her fingers glided affectionately over the spines, reading the titles as she moved along, preferring the traditional method of finding her books rather than simply using magic to discover them. However, time was running out and the book she needed was on a high shelf she could not reach.
Satisfied to have found it, Hermione pointed her wand at the book and chanted: "Accio!"
Responding to the summoning charm, the book pulled itself away from between the adjacent volumes and floating towards Hermione, settled itself gently into the witch's hands. Written in bold, gold letters, the title beamed at Hermione:
Highly Valuable Magical Objects and Artifacts: Volume II
With trained fingers, Hermione placed the book on a nearby table and checked the table of contents.
"Here you are, just as I thought," she said, her finger stopping at one listed item that read: Vanishing Cabinets.
She closed the book with a thud and headed for the exit, eager to spend the rest of her evening in her room, researching and regrouping her thoughts. When she entered the Gryffindor common room, she noticed the Quidditch celebration had died down, only a few of her classmates still lingering around, laughing and debating the crucial parts of their win. Neither Ron nor Harry had returned to their dormitories. Even Ginny was nowhere to be seen. Taking advantage of everyone's absence, Hermione went to her dormitory and pulled out other books and reading material that could be of help to her. She spread everything methodically on the covers of her bed, mentally preparing herself for a long evening. And for that, she needed fuel. Reaching into her school bag, she took out a small package of Jelly Slugs she received from Ron and popped one in her mouth for extra sustenance in her research task.
First things first, she read the small chapter about the twin vanishing cabinets, answering some of her questions. She always wondered why it took Draco so long to mend the cabinet and apparently, the more exceptional an item was, the more it took to revert it to its original form or at least, a satisfactory one. The spell used to mend it, Harmonia Nectere Passus, was especially difficult to master and she had to give Draco credit for managing an incantation that complex. If she didn't manage to prevent him from fixing the cabinet anytime soon, she now knew there was another one in Borgin and Burkes that connected to this one, thus allowing passage into Hogwarts once functional and perhaps, she could focus on destroying the other one. However, Hermione Granger stepping into Knockturn Alley would be enough news to spring any Death Eater into action, sabotaging her advantage.
Displeased with that particular realization, Hermione grunted and fell back into the bed, her fluffy pillows catching her head with an oomph! She rubbed at her temples, trying to convince herself that doubt and complications were just part of the whole ordeal and it was her duty to find a way around all the obstacles. Coaxing herself into more confidence, Hermione stood up confidently and analyzed the list of crucial events she had put together since she returned to the past.
One of her pressing goals was to prevent Dumbledore's death. Somehow, she would need to find a way of warning him and also, stopping Snape from killing their headmaster. Simultaneously, she eventually had to warn The Order of the Phoenix and ensure Harry would have extra protection, given that he was constantly targeted at Voldemort's request. Additionally, she would be able to help with the Horcrux hunts, saving time and casualties on their quest to acquire and destroy all of them. She also needed more pertinent allies. She debated whether to involve McGonagall or Lupin by imparting her crucial information thus limiting casualties although, the more people were aware of her knowledge, the harder it would be to keep track of everyone.
While her intentions were honorable, Hermione was to consider every scenario, and every piece of information extremely well. Meddling with time meant she had to foresee high risks and complications - after all, every new action would cause a ripple of effects and influence them either positively or negatively. She needed to maintain a safe timeline and also forge new alliances in hopes of weakening Voldemort. She would try crawling under Draco's skin again, appealing to values she knew were there, hidden under a mountain of prejudice and blood purity ideals. And if that would prove to be unsuccessful, she would force his hand. She had to.
Everything was educated chaos in her head. Categorizing each piece of info, detailing future events and trying to come up with solutions - that was Hermione's second nature. However, she found it strange how alone it made her feel. It felt like she was holding both a responsibility and a burden. Trying to do everything on her own was not healthy and certainly not helpful, which was why before sleep engulfed her and lulled her into dreamland, Hermione decided that she had to share the load soon.
OOO
Thursday afternoon rolled in sooner than expected and while Hermione was diligent enough to be present in the library, she was not at all surprised to see Draco absent for yet another tutoring lesson. He had told her to stay away from him which, by definition, also meant he would keep his distance. As expected, he avoided her at all costs through the entire week, even though she attributed his choice to miss class on a few occasions to more acute reasons than a snogging surprise in the Hogwarts corridors.
Since she was already in the library, Hermione put her time to good use and continued to research the wizards that turned out to be their enemies in the war, compiling a more rigorous training strategy for both herself and The Order. They had to learn how to better protect themselves against the upcoming conflict. Hours passed quickly and it took Hermione a few seconds to realize the library was closing; she noticed she had remained the only one in the location and Madam Pince was gesturing for her to gather her things and head to her dormitory.
Back in her room, Hermione realized she hadn't spent that much time with the boys lately. Harry was dedicating his afternoons to Slughorn, on his way of convincing the professor to share his Horcrux secrets while Ron had surrendered to Lavender's charms and was close to becoming a pair if Hermione would not interfere soon. Between the war and Draco Malfoy, that was clearly the last thing she needed to tend to.
Before she headed to her dormitory, a thought struck Hermione. She changed trajectory and went over to Harry and Ron's room, knocking softly on the door. When no reply came, Hermione pressed her ear to the door, trying to sense if she could pick up someone's presence behind it. Complete silence greeted her and that was her cue to unlock the door and enter an empty dorm room. Her eyes traveled around the sleeping space, finally settling on her desired item. Looking back to the door and hoping no one would catch her in the act, Hermione grabbed the Marauder's Map from Harry's nightstand and touching her wand to the paper, she declared:
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
As soon as she uttered the words, the contents of the map started revealing themselves to Hermione, various names gliding across the inked space. She quickly searched for Harry and Ron's names, breathing out in relief as she pinpointed them a considerable distance away from their common room and scanned the map for another person of interest. Draco Malfoy was on the 7th floor.
"Here you are," Hermione whispered. "Trying to get into the Room of Requirement, no doubt," she said, and closing the map, Hermione chanted a quick "Mischief managed" and placed it back in its original place.
She sprinted on the corridors, past the curious glances of portraits and tapestries and arrived just in time to see Draco face to face with Minerva McGonagall.
"Mr. Malfoy, I assume you have a good reason as to why you're currently out and about, roaming the halls this late in the evening?"
She saw Draco's jaw clench, the way it always did when he was caught doing something unjustified and she heard the words escape her lips before she could even check them for any worrisome hints.
"It's my fault, Professor."
Both Draco and McGonagall turned in the direction of Hermione's voice, each of them carrying a somewhat surprised expression. As expected, Draco was not happy to see her.
"Ms. Granger?" The older woman inquired, as if unsure of Hermione's actual presence with them there.
"You surely remember we have that tutoring class together," she explained, finding her words easier than usual. "It got a bit delayed today so I asked Draco to meet me up here."
"On the 7th floor?" Minerva McGonagall raised her eyebrow in doubt, eyeing the blonde Slytherin with skepticism.
"The library was fully occupied. I suppose I thought here would be more…private," Hermione offered, sensing her ears burn in embarrassment at having to lie to one of her favorite professors.
Whether McGonagall believed her or not, it didn't matter. The professor pressed her lips together and exhaled a tired sigh, visibly peeved. She was aware that teenagers were always getting involved in senseless matters but, it was that particular pairing that caused the female professor more anguish than the location itself. She could sense they were up to something but she trusted Hermione Granger to be clever enough to stay away from trouble, especially if that included a certain Malfoy.
"Nevertheless, Miss Granger, I expect you to conduct your tutoring either in the library or in a classroom. Hogwarts corridors are not meant for nocturnal sessions," she said, drawing her robes closer to her frame and passing by Hermione in a hurry. "I suggest you both head back to your dormitories for today. Am I clear?"
"Yes, Professor," Hermione said, head lowering in understanding.
"Mr. Malfoy?" Minerva called out upon hearing no approval on his part.
"Understood, Professor," he delivered the dry reply.
"Good," she appraised, steps leading her away from her two students.
The second Professor McGonagall's footsteps could no longer be heard, Hermione started walking in his direction.
"Draco…" she began.
"I suppose you want my gratitude for intervening with McGonagall. Are you that eager for another kiss, Granger?" He sneered but that failed to disarm Hermione as he had hoped.
"Why? Are you offering?" She bit back, satisfaction invading every cell of her body seeing his eyes slightly widen in astonishment.
He wasn't used to her fighting back in that manner, feeding him the same poison, confidently holding her own. No one was, in fact. But that did not mean Hermione could not make use of her future to better protect herself in her past. He continued to regard her like one would an approaching tornado, swiftly debating whether to run or greet it at full force. Hermione could bet all her galleons he would choose the less controversial option and as expected, he did.
"This is ridiculous," he said, eyebrows quirking in annoyance and turning to leave as hastily as possible.
"Draco," Hermione tried again.
"I'm not interested in what you have to say, Granger. What happened was a horrible mistake. A lapse in my judgment. I shouldn't have kissed you back", he spat, keeping his distance but glaring at her deeply enough to unite the seven seas.
"Why did you, then?" She asked, her confidence slightly squashed by his rejection.
"I suppose I did it out of pity," Draco said in a tone laced with mockery.
Hermione's lips parted in bewilderment, mouth almost dropping at his words, weighing his choice of words, contrasting the "mistake" and "pity" and settling on the one that aggravated her most.
"Out of…pity?"
He rambled on, failing to notice her growing angrier by the second. It was not as if Hermione expected things to change overnight between them. On the contrary, she expected the arrogance, the indifference, even an intensified hate toward her - anything but pity. What on earth would he even pity her for?
"You surprised me, I admit. Never actually thought you had it in you so I went ahead and complied with your whim. I felt sorry for you, thinking stupid Weasley would never have the nerve to kiss you anytime soon," he revealed, his hand gesticulating in a dismissive manner.
Hermione gaped at him, expression looking like someone had just slapped her, head lifting with offense. Of all the things he had to say to her, it was no shock he brought Ron into it, assuming she was just a daft, unseasoned girl anyone could push around outside of academic environments. Merlin, his opinion of her had to be atrocious! At one point, she had to wonder where his gratuitous cruelty started and his veritable impression of her began.
"First of all, your concern is truly touching," Hermione spat, matching the intensity of his tone. "And secondly, I'll have you know that I have been kissed before."
"Well, that explains it," Draco delivered, lip curling up into a disgusted sneer. "It didn't feel like the kiss of someone who lacks experience. Have you practiced on all the Gryffindor boys, Granger? Started with Potter, I assume?"
Hermione gulped down the array of curse words burning on the tip of her mouth, realizing it took her inhuman mental strength to maintain her calm. He could be such a brat sometimes and he always got away with it but not on her watch, not this time. She always confronted him, always held him accountable, ever since they were children.
"Can you even hear yourself speak? The terrible, nonsensical things you say, always hurting people left and right, thinking yourself superior and better than the rest of us when you're just a coward who hides behind insults?" She challenged, taking determined steps towards him.
Draco blinked at her, failing to comprehend what was going on. He was not accustomed to experiencing such a high dose of sincerity, especially on her part. It seemed that year was the year when everyone got to pick on him, shove their opinions and selfish requests in his face and he was just supposed to bow his head and conform. He didn't deserve that, not from Granger or anyone else.
"I don't have to listen to this," he muttered, turning his back on her.
"Where do you think you're going?" Hermione asked, fingers curled into frustrated fists.
"It's none of your business."
"I know what you're planning, Draco," she delivered, knowing all too well what would make her reclaim his attention.
He stopped in his tracks, still turned to her, debating whether to leave or stay.
"I highly doubt that. You have no idea what I'm going through."
"I know you're trying to kill Dumbledore."
At the sound of that, Draco drew in a sharp breath and Hermione knew she got to him. It was easy to see, from the way his back arched and shoulders tensed that his secret had been discovered. Nothing could have prepared Hermione for what she saw when he fully turned to her, eyes burning into her skull. A melange of mournful defeat and scorching incrimination was battling it out in full view. Shadows intensified the hollows of his face, giving Draco an uncertain expression.
"That's a serious accusation, Granger."
She ignored her better judgment and continued pouring her facts. "I also know you have a cursed necklace and a poisoned bottle of mead to be delivered to him."
"No…that's impossible. How could you know such things?" He asked, confusion taking hold of his features. Something from within him emerged - a possibility of failure, an oversight of his ability to cover his tracks. Still in disbelief, Draco shook his head in denial, gaze dropping to the floor, desperately trying to decipher the answers in the marble. He flinched upon hearing Hermione's voice reach him once again.
"I've seen the future, Draco," Hermione revealed, finally posting herself right in front of him. "No, I've lived it. And now I'm back here, trying to navigate the same waters, realizing that you are the answer to helping me change the future. And you will help me change it."
"You're talking rubbish…"
"And here's another thing I know," Hermione said, grabbing his arm with both hands. He tried to pull away, suddenly realizing what she was doing but it was far too late. Her fingers latched onto his sleeve and under his horrified expression, she pulled up the fabric, revealing skin and secrets and black ink.
"We need to talk, Draco," Hermione said, ungluing her gaze from his Dark Mark and locking eyes with his frantic ones. "No more running away."
OOO
Author's note: One more chapter is done! Thank you for the support and comments, I'm really thankful for each and every one of you. Hermione is now on the offensive. :))
