Hermione
Malfoy and I maintain our polite and cordial demeanor over the next couple of weeks. During my flying lessons, he refrains from touching me unless necessary, and I diligently apply generous amounts of my scent-inhibiting potion. We avoid discussing our secondary biologies and I ignore the alpha stare he sometimes gets as I have no inclination to broach the subject with him. Yet, I find myself sleeping with my face buried in the pillow wrapped in his shirt, and wrapping his robe around me alongside my cozy blankets. Though his scent has faded considerably, it is the only thing that soothes my restless omega. Especially since it's become increasingly rare for me to see Draco without Astoria, as she seems to be glued to his hip. My omega hates it and is constantly whining about it.
To maintain my inner harmony between myself and my omega, I purposely steer clear of any unnecessary encounters with Malfoy. It's already miserable trying to keep the wall built up between us when he and I have to interact or are sitting together in class.
I hum a soft tune as I review my scroll while making my way to Arithmancy.
"Hermione?" A gentle alpha tone causes me to pause in the corridor.
"Hm?" I pause mid-step and turn toward the source of the voice. Draco stands there, Astoria free, cheeks tinged pink.
"I finally received the diaries and books…" he pauses awkwardly for a moment before continuing, "would you like to meet me in the library after dinner to begin going over them?"
I immediately wonder why he wouldn't just hand over the books and diaries before I firmly remind myself, I'm a mudblood and they're probably very old books and-
"Some of the books and diaries have protective spells on them that only individuals from my bloodline can physically open. Otherwise, I would have gladly let you borrow them. I trust you know how to handle books," he says, offering me a small smile.
Oh . I hadn't considered that . "Yes, that would be great. It might have to be a little later though. Theo and I have to meet to finalize our scroll that's due in History of Magic," I explain.
"No problem at all. I'll be in the library working on my History of Magic scroll as well," he walks towards me, and we fall into step together as we head towards our class. I take deliberate, measured breaths, purposefully spacing them out to prevent my omega from being overwhelmed by his intoxicating scent.
I give a small nod, "okay, sounds good." We walk together in silence, the question that has been nagging at me finally finding its way to my lips. I lower my voice so that only he can hear, "do you have any insights on why omegas have become so rare these days?"
He hums thoughtfully, "I have a couple theories, but it's better to discuss them in a more private setting. The corridors aren't the ideal place for this conversation if you want to remain undetected," he replies, giving me a knowing look.
I nod again, eagerly anticipating our conversation to be had later. Finally, I might get some answers. "Well, until tonight then." A beat passes between us before I change the topic, "how do you think I'm progressing with flying? Give me an honest answer."
"You've shown remarkable improvement since our time at the lake," he says, his gaze meeting mine, causing a pleasant shiver to run through me. "At the beginning of the spring term, I think you should start practicing on the first-year course. We need you to complete the track in under five minutes. At that point, it's just memorizing the maneuvers and beating the time."
"Like preparing for your driver's test," I say casually, recalling the repetitive route my driving instructor took me on before the test.
"You know how to drive a car?" He asks a hint of surprise in his expression as his eyebrows raise. "Like, a muggle car?"
I almost laugh at his reaction but manage to hold it back. "Yes, I know how to drive a muggle car," I reply with an amused smile. "And what about you?" I tease.
"Absolutely not," he answers, shaking his head. "We covered them in muggle studies, but I've never actually met anyone who can drive a car."
"Have you ever ridden in one?" I inquire, pausing at the door as he holds it open for me to enter the classroom.
"No," he shakes his head again. "No reason to. But who knows, maybe one day I'll give it a go," he winks playfully and takes his seat next to me.
I can't help the giggle that comes from me, "and in return for your community service, I'll give you driving lessons."
He joins in with his laugh, replying, "Oh Granger, I doubt you'll ever be able to return this favor. The broomstick wouldn't even respond to your call!"
"And I highly doubt you'd even know how to start the car!" I retort.
" With the key , you swot !" He playfully glares at me.
"Well, I bet you wouldn't know how to shift into drive, especially with a clutch !" I fire back, watching him try to decipher the meaning of "clutch".
"Clutch?" He finally responds, sounding puzzled.
"Exactly," I respond with a prim expression, picking up my quill and resting the feather against my chin as I shift my gaze to the professor.
" Know-it-all ," he mutters under his breath, shifting his gaze forward.
" Prat ," I mumble back, sneaking a glance at him from the corner of my eye.
I notice he's looking back at me. " Swot ."
"Can't you come up with a better term of endearment , Malfoy?" I hiss, resisting the urge to smile.
A smirk dances on his lips, and I bite my cheek to suppress my amusement.
"All you could come up with was, ' prat', Granger?" He whispers in response.
"Please class, no whispering," Professor Drach interjects, glancing over his shoulder before returning to the board to resume the lecture.
My cheeks turn a deeper shade of red at the reprimand. I got in trouble for whispering with Malfoy. I steal another glance at him and see that his face is flushed as well. Refocusing my attention on the board, I attempt to drown out the rapid beats of my heart and the persistent flutters in my stomach. It's just my omega acting up , I remind myself, squeezing my thighs together as I continue jotting down my notes.
As soon as the class is over, Malfoy swiftly rises from his seat and disappears through the door before I have a chance to put on my backpack. I gather my belongings and make my way to our next class. Through classes, the two of us didn't start any new banter and I thought he was ignoring me until History of Magic.
I arrive early for my History of Magic class, as I usually do, and Theo is already seated in his spot. He watches me make my way to the table, leaning back in his chair with a mischievous smile dancing on his lips as I make my way towards our table.
"Theo," I greet him with a smile, looking forward to our daily flirting. "How are you today?" I settle into my seat. My omega might not be as enamored with him as I am which makes it that much easier to talk with and be just me . Also, there's something undeniably appealing about a guy with curly dark hair and thoughtful, deep eyes. And there's something about a white-blonde, silver-eyed alpha…
"Better now that you're here," he replies with a cheeky grin. His flirtatious nature has never made me uncomfortable; on the contrary, I find our banter quite enjoyable.
A shy smile creeps on my lips as I respond, "such flattery, Theo. Are you attempting to charm your way into every witch's heart, or am I just exceptionally lucky?" I cross my legs and turn to face him just as Malfoy enters the classroom. My lack of acknowledgement towards him isn't on purpose as my attention is simply focused elsewhere.
"Oh, Hermione, you know I reserve my best lines for the brightest witch of our time. Consider yourself in a league of your own," he says, draping his arm over the back of my chair.
I playfully roll my eyes, unable to contain my growing smile. "Let's not forget, I'm not just the brightest witch of our time; I also have a knack for unraveling clever lines and seeing through charm." The playful banter between Theo and me doesn't carry the same weight of nuance and tension as it does with Malfoy, it's effortless. But it doesn't make my heart race .
His laughter fills the air as his fingers lightly trail along my shoulders when he pulls his arm back. "You're the only one capable of keeping me on my toes," he remarks, his words laced with a hint of sincerity. A tingle runs down my spine in response to his subtle touch, yet my omega remains dormant.
However, my gaze shifts and I happen to meet Draco's. In that brief, I see a flicker of unease and possessiveness in his eyes. The air around us carries a subtle scent of his alpha pheromones, serving as a potent reminder of his presence and an unspoken warning that doesn't go unnoticed. I instinctively lower my gaze in submission before I can stop myself.
I'm aware that both of us can't help the attraction between his alpha and my omega, but we still have the right to our own bodily autonomy. I don't want to interfere with the relationship between Malfoy and Astoria. Besides I have Theo and Viktor, and of both, I share a genuine person-to-person connection. As I raise my gaze, I notice Draco looking straight ahead while Theo appears to be puzzled by Draco's aggressive pheromones.
The remainder of the day seemed to drag on in class, but dinner flew by in a whirlwind. As I finally make my way toward the library entrance, I see Theo waiting for me. A grin spreads across his face, lighting up his eyes, as he catches me approaching. "Hermione."
"Theo," I whisper, stepping through the library door. "I think we can wrap this up before the hour is over. It doesn't seem too challenging," I say in a hushed tone, glancing around the library. Draco's scent lingers in the air, telling me he's already in the library. It'll make it that much easier to find him once my project with Theo is complete.
"An hour ? Oh, come on , Miss Swot," he chuckles.
I couldn't help but feel a twinge of annoyance when he called me a swot. A part of me knows he's teasing me but I don't call him names for his intellect. Also it doesn't hold the same weight as when Draco says it to me. It's playful and endearing , my omega suggests. I shoot him a sharp look. "Don't call me that," I huff, shaking my head. "I have another project, so I must finish this one quickly. Especially one this easy."
His laughter fades as my serious demeanor takes over. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything-"
"It's fine, just please don't call me that," I say softly, finding a table for us to settle down and place our belongings. "Let's get started."
Draco
Since the conversation with Astoria, I've been consciously devoting more of my free time to her, and it's clear that it's making a difference in our relationship and the way she feels. It also helps keep my alpha instinct at bay, along with the absence of Granger's scent , and allows me to interact more amicably - the appropriate behavior for a promised man with a member of the opposite sex. However, in the tranquil darkness of my room, illuminated by the soft glow of bewitched candles that set the ambiance just right, I keep my undershirt, carrying her scent, draped over my shoulder as I read. My head is immersed in its comforting presence.
But then, as if on cue, the perfect excuse arises for my alpha instincts to awaken once again – the diaries and books, sent over by my house elf. The morning they arrive, I spot Hermione as she leaves the Gryffindor table after breakfast. With a quick peck for Astoria, I excuse myself and catch up with her. The corridor feels oddly secluded, with only the soft hum from Hermione as she looks over her scroll and the click of her heels breaking the silence.
"Hermione?" I speak, my tone laced with a gentle yet unmistakable alpha resonance that causes a blush to creep onto my cheeks.
"Hm?" She turns towards me.
"I finally received the diaries and books," I start, her eyes locked with mine, momentarily derailing my train of thought. "Would you like to meet me in the library after dinner to begin going over them?"
Her silence hangs in the air, but her gaze reveals a mind busy unraveling the reason why I won't simply hand them over. "Some of the books and diaries have protective spells on them that only individuals from my bloodline can physically open. Otherwise, I would have gladly let you borrow them. I trust you know how to handle books," I explain with a small smile.
"Yes, that would be great. It might have to be a little later though. Theo and I have to meet to finalize our scroll that's due in History of Magic," Hermione nods, her expression focused and determined.
As we walk together, I match my pace to hers, my alpha urging me to be closer. "No problem at all. I'll be in the library working on my History of Magic scroll as well," I inform her, feeling a surge of anticipation at the prospect of spending more time together. My alpha, always eager, tries in vain to catch a hint of her scent in the air, but as always, she remains elusive.
"Sounds good." She replies, and a comfortable silence settles between us. However, her voice lowers to a mumble, and her words catch my attention. "Do you have any insights on why omegas have become so rare these days?"
I ponder her question, stealing a glance at her, my voice matching her hushed tone. "I have a couple theories, but it's better to discuss them in a more private setting. The corridors aren't the ideal place for this conversation if you want to remain undetected," I respond, giving her a knowing look, acknowledging the need for discretion in such matters.
"Well, until tonight then."
The conversation takes a turn as Hermione changes the topic, seeking my honest assessment of her flying progress.
"You've shown remarkable improvement since our time at the lake," I begin, meeting her gaze and feeling a surge of hunger and desire awaken in my alpha. "At the beginning of the spring term, I think you should start practicing on the first-year course. We need you to complete the track in under five minutes. At that point, it's just memorizing the maneuvers and beating the time."
"Like preparing for your driver's test," she makes the casual comparison.
Her words surprise me, and I raise an eyebrow inquisitively. "You know how to drive a car?" I ask genuinely curious. "Like, a muggle car?" I know she's muggle-born but I wouldn't have expected that she would learn how to drive a car since discovering her magical abilities.
Amusement dances across her face, and she smirks playfully. "Yes, I know how to drive a muggle car," she confirms, teasingly adding, "and what about you?"
I shake my head in response, a hint of amusement in my eyes. "Absolutely not. We covered them in muggle studies, but I've never actually met anyone who can drive a car." I admit. As we approach our class, I quicken my pace to open the door for her.
"Have you ever ridden in one?" She asks as she enters the classroom through the propped open door.
"No," I shake my head again, a playful glint in my eyes. "No reason to. But who knows, maybe one day I'll give it a go," I say with a wink, settling in next to Granger. Her giggle fills the air, a delightful sound that I'm not on the receiving end of very often.
"And in return for your community service, I'll give you driving lessons," she offers, her eyes sparkling mischievously.
I chuckle in response, thoroughly enjoying our banter. "Oh Granger, I doubt you'll ever be able to return this favor. The broomstick wouldn't even respond to your call!" The laughter between us is a rare occurrence and I don't take it for granted.
Her retort comes swiftly, her wit sharp as ever. "And I highly doubt you'd even know how to start the car!"
" With the key , you swot !" I playfully glare at her, a mock seriousness in my expression.
Her eyes gleam with the challenge. "Well, I bet you wouldn't know how to shift into drive, especially with a clutch !"
Clutch? Like a handbag? What the fuck does that have to do with a car? "Clutch?" I repeat, a hunt of confusion coloring my tone.
She's won our teasing debate and she knows it. Her expression shifts into a demure one as she directs her attention to the board, delicately holding a quill against her chin and lips.
Becoming a quill is not something I've ever desired until now . I must keep my alpha in check. Slowly, I build the wall between myself and my alpha. I can't let my alpha get out of control. I slowly build up my occlumency. " Know-it-all ," I mutter under my breath, the words lacking conviction as I look ahead. Yet, I watch her from my peripheral vision.
" Prat ," she whispers back, peeking at me.
A fluttering sensation fills my stomach, an embarrassingly familiar sensation with her that causes the small wall to crumble. And only my omega . " Swot." I retort.
"Can't you come up with a better term of endearment , Malfoy?"
In truth, it has become a term of endearment that I only reserve for her, with her. And I hate that she knows it. "All you could come up with was, ' prat ', Granger?" I counter.
"Please class, no whispering," Professor Drach interjects, casting a brief glance over his shoulder before resuming the lecture at the board.
The reprimand serves as a forceful reminder of the constraints of time and place , emphasizing the boundaries that exist between us and the nature of our interactions. Even in the guise of banter, our exchanges carry a flirtatious undertone. A rush of warmth colors my cheeks as I swallow uneasily, acutely aware that it's a fine line she and I maintain. Glancing discreetly around the room, I catch Pansy's intense gaze fixed upon me. Fuck, I just got called out for whispering with Granger .
As I take notes, my mind wanders back to Pansy. Lately, I've noticed her watchful eyes on me in every class except for muggle studies. A disconcerting feeling settles in as I've started to sense her presence, observing my every move from various corridors to lessons with Granger by Black Lake. She's always there… But she is friends with Astoria and I've been spending a lot more time with her here recently.
As soon as the class concludes, I swiftly rise from my seat and hurry out the door to meet Astoria to walk her to the next class.
I retreat into my usual habit of minimal interaction with Granger, reserving conversation only when necessary and otherwise disregarding her presence. This pattern continues until History of Magic, where I am confronted with Theo's persistent interest in Granger, and his relentless flirtation met in kind from her. Typically, it doesn't faze me, but when my alpha is already teething on the edge, maintaining composure becomes an uphill battle.
After accompanying Astoria to her next class, I arrive with a few spare moments before class starts. My gaze seeks out Hermione immediately and I feel the irritation already seeping in.
Granger, her legs elegantly crossed, leans in closer toward Theo. "Such flattery, Theo. Are you attempting to charm your way into every witch's heart, or am I just exceptionally lucky?"Her voice carries a different tone than when we exchange words– or am I just telling myself that?
"Oh, Hermione, you know I reserve my best lines for the brightest witch of our time. Consider yourself in a league of your own," he responds, casually draping his arm over the back of her chair.
From my seat, I watch their interaction – their gestures and the rosy blush that graces Granger's smiling face. Jealousy tears through my alpha, but I force myself to just ignore it.
"Let's not forget, I'm not just the brightest witch of our time; I also have a knack for unraveling clever lines and seeing through charm." Her honeyed words have a bite to them and I long for that to be directed at me . And I hate that I do.
I watch his fingers trail against my omega's shoulders with his own sickeningly sweet and sincere words. "You're the only one capable of keeping me on my toes."
Various daydreams flood my mind after I watch Nott touching my omega . I imagine myself breaking the fingers that dare touch her, breaking the arm that dares to drape over her chair, hexing his mouth shut to silence his flirty, witty lines. She is mine. Hermione is my omega . My gaze remains fixated on the couple, and it takes a moment to register that Granger's eyes have met mine. The scent of my angry, possessive pheromones fills the air, and I watch her head drop in submission. Good girl , my alpha growls approvingly, before I forcefully tear my eyes away from them.
She is not my omega . Hermione Granger is a witch that has control over herself, and simply knowing she is an omega does not grant me the right to think or act in such possessive ways. I am her friend, not her alpha . I leash my alpha, digging my nails into the desk's wooden surface.
The remaining classes of the day dragged on, each minute feeling like an eternity. The lectures seemed to stretch endlessly, testing the limits of my patience. I fulfilled my duty of meeting Astoria between each class. However, it wasn't until dinner that I told her of my need to work on coursework. A wave of relief washed over me when Astoria didn't offer to join me in the library. The idea of having uninterrupted time to focus on my studies brought a sense of comfort. I settled into my usual spot in the unbothered corner of the library.
Theo's scent reaches my nose as he enters the library and I can only assume that Granger is accompanying him, like she mentioned earlier. Suppressing the stirrings of my alpha behind my occlumency, I direct my attention to my scroll. Padma had already completed her portion of the assignment, leaving me to finish mine. Understandably, she prefers not to work with me, considering the death of her twin, caused by my actions. Such a sober reminder that reminds me of the futility of indulging in fantasies about an omega who can never be mine . I immerse myself in the task at hand, determined to push aside any distractions. As Theo's scent grows stronger throughout the hour, I simply ignore it, keeping focused on my coursework.
When I finally complete my portion of the assignment, I start to return the books to their rightful places. As I'm putting a couple back in the same section, I can hear snippets of conversation between Nott and Granger. I can tell they've finished their work as well because the conversation shifts to the upcoming ball.
Theo's confident voice fills the air, brimming with his typical charm. "I was thinking, Hermione, you and I could make quite the duo at the upcoming ball… What do you say? The brightest witch of our time and the irresistible wizard going together?"
I raise an eyebrow at Theo's forwardness but I've known of the secret crush he's harbored for her since early in our school years.
Hermione's laughter reaches my ears, though it lacks its usual genuineness. "Oh Theo, as usual, you know how to flatter me. But I'm afraid I'll have to decline such a tempting offer. You see, I already have a date for the ball."
She does? Well of course she does, she's Hermione Granger . A pang of irritation shoots through my chest at her response. My alpha stirs in my chest, fueled by possessiveness, but I'm quick to ignore it, especially considering the circumstances.
Theo, undeterred by the rejection, maintains his confident demeanor."How can someone possibly be more charming and alluring than I ? Do tell, who's the lucky bloke?"
"I really can't say," Hermione replies, her voice holding a hint of secrecy. My mind instinctively jumps to Krum. No other person here at Hogwarts is worthy of such a woman.
"Fair enough," Theo concedes, masking his curiosity. "Guess I'll have to be a bit quicker in plucking up the courage to ask you sooner."
Silently retracing my steps back to my table, a mix of intrigue and frustration swirls within me. I settle down once again, placing a fresh parchment sheet and quill before me, awaiting Hermione's arrival.
Only a few minutes pass before she approaches my table with a smile of anticipation on her face, "hey, Draco," she greets, setting her book bag down and taking a seat across from me.
"Hey, how did you get on finishing the scroll?" I ask, starting to pull the old books and diaries out of my enchanted bag.
"Quite quickly, actually. It was fairly straightforward, don't you think?" She asks, pulling out her own quill and fresh parchment.
I nod, my gaze shifting from the pile of books surrounding us to Hermione. Her eyes sparkle with excitement, taking in the vast expanse of untouched knowledge laid out before us. "I've been looking forward to this all day."
"Me too," I respond, unable to tear my gaze away from her face.