Hermione
The alphas returned to the castle the same evening I returned to my room. It marked a somewhat uneasy sense of normalcy, and during this time, I found solace in the presence of Ginny and occasionally Luna, even though I preferred the moments alone.
As the weekend progresses, I remain within the confines of my room, almost as if to create a buffer between myself and the rest of the school. This self-imposed isolation came from a culmination of emotions and thoughts that had been brewing within me. It's as if the storm that raged within me was now mirrored by the tempestuous, late fall weather outside.
This short period of seclusion allowed me the space to reflect not only on the recent upheaval at the ball but also on the deeper undercurrents of my own existence. The revelation of my omega status, the unexpected connection with Draco amidst the chaos of the Unity Ball, and the subsequent unveiling of this truth to the entire school – it all felt like an avalanche of circumstances that I had little control over.
As Sunday comes to a close, my backpack lay prepared, the leftover vials of my potion safely stored in my pack, and my homework meticulously completed. Wrapped in Draco's robe, I nestled into my self-made haven, engrossed in reading one of the journals on loan from said alpha. Suddenly, a sharp tapping broke the silence, emanating from my window. My heart momentarily sank, fearing it might be Viktor's owl. I wasn't sure if I was prepared to confront him and the complexities of what had happened.
Approaching the window with cautious anticipation, I felt a rush of relief as I recognized Ulysses, Draco's owl, perched on the sill. Securely fastened to his leg was a small scroll. "Hello there," I murmured affectionately, my fingers lightly brushing against the owl's feathers. "I'm sorry, but I have nothing to offer you at the moment." Carefully untying the scroll, I read over the contents.
H,
I'll meet you at the entrance to the tower before breakfast tomorrow morning.
- D
A soft smile tugged at my lips as I read Draco's note. With a contented hum, I admired the simplicity and directness of his words. Ulysses took flight once again, disappearing into the night, and I gently closed the window. Settling back into my cocoon of blankets and Draco's scent, I soon fall asleep.
Draco
I wake up early to the rays of dawn peeking through my window, and after a cold shower and preparing for the day, I step out of my room. The hallway carries faint traces of familiar alpha scents that have already congregated in the common room. Straightening my posture and mustering a quiet resolve, I walk into the room with an unwavering gaze, my path directed toward the exit.
Abruptly, a familiar voice interjects, "Draco, my friend." It's Blaise, positioning himself squarely in my way. "You don't think you can just slip away unnoticed after a weekend locked in your room, do you?"
A tight knot of irritation and apprehension forms in my stomach. "Step aside, Zabini," I mutter, my tone gruff, as I attempt to go around him.
He remains resolute. "Not so fast. Do you have any idea of the rumors swirling around about you and Granger? Right now, half the alphas in the school would love nothing more than to see your throat ripped out…" His arms fold casually, his gaze locked onto me.
A surge of frustration boils within me. "And are you included with them?" I inquire, a quizzical eyebrow arching.
He lets out a derisive snort, his expression incredulous. "Absolutely not. I've never quite comprehended the alpha obsession with omegas. I prefer fucking whomever I want, whenever I want, without being entangled in trivial bullshit."
I can't help but roll my eyes slightly at his melodramatic stance. "So, is there a particular motive behind this impromptu roadblock, aside from generously informing me that I'm a target for half the school's aggression?" I ask, my tone edged with sarcasm.
He feigns an indignant gasp, his expression mockingly virtuous. "Can't I just be a concerned friend?" He tsks theatrically, shaking his head in faux disappointment. "I'm divulging this to you because a substantial number of alphas seem to believe that you coerced Granger into fucking you. And given your current reputation…" He trails off, leaving the implication hanging in the air.
I'm quick to counter his accusations. "Let's set the record straight – nothing happened with Granger. Anyone with functioning eyes will see that crystal clear when she joins us for breakfast.
He responds with a nonchalant hum, his focus seemingly on his nail beds as if they held the secrets of the universe. "Don't get lost in the assumption that a bond equates to the absence of intimate involvement," he remarks casually. "The alphas will undoubtedly scent her out on whether she's been… entangled with you or not." His words are carefully picked out to not irritate me, but it doesn't work.
"She wasn't," I reiterate. "I slept on the sofa while she took the bed," I echo Granger's fabricated story from our time in the Headmistress' office.
Blaise studies me intently for a few moments before finally shifting aside. "Nott has taken a personal offense against you. He didn't spill the specifics, but it appears you might have walked away with something he considered his..."
A low growl escapes my lips before I can suppress it. "Hermione is nobody's possession. She holds her own autonomy – if I have to drill that into Nott's thick skull myself, then so be it."
Blaise raises his hands in a placating gesture, though mischief dances in his eyes. Considering the reaction he just provoked from me, I can't blame him for finding some amusement in it. "Easy there. I'm well aware. Just want you in the loop about what's been unfolding while you barricaded yourself in your room. Got your back, Draco." He winks.
"Duly noted," I huff, deliberately walking past him toward the exit. Zabini is always diving into the chaos just for his own amusement.
I'm on full alert as I navigate the twisting corridors en route to Gryffindor Tower. The subtle displays of dominance from posturing alphas hardly ruffle my alpha's composure. To that part of me, the victory is already established. Leaning against the cold stone wall, I bide my time for Granger's appearance, a silent observer of the stream of Gryffindors trickling out for breakfast.
From the portrait opening emerges Longbottom, who halts abruptly, his gaze an unyielding drill on me. "Why are you here?" His question drips with a low snarl. "You take Hermione away against her wishes, and now you reckon you hold some ownership over her?"
Locking eyes with Longbottom, a yawn escapes me, an intentionally casual response to his confrontational stance. "Longbottom, why I'm standing here isn't your business. Do you honestly think I'd be waiting here if Granger didn't want me here?" My words maintain a steady tone, yet an undercurrent of my alpha nature weaves through them. My posture remains relaxed against the wall.
His glare could set a forest ablaze, but I stand unfazed, meeting his intensity head-on. "Hermione spent the entire weekend in her room because of you!"
I release an exasperated sigh. "And you believe her solitary weekend has more to do with me than the fact that her omega status got exposed to the whole damn school? She's the only omega in Hogwarts, in case you've forgotten."
He takes a menacing step closer, his growl building in his chest. I respond by straightening my posture and pushing away from the wall. "Do you think I enjoy waiting at the mouth of the den of the so-called 'mighty lions'?" I snort. "Get real, Longbottom."
In response, the fire in his eyes flickers down, and he lets out a frustrated sound. "Whatever, Malfoy. If you knew what's good for her, you'd leave her be."
"Thanks for the advice," I mutter, rolling my eyes and resettling against the wall. A wave of exasperation washes over me – I'm surrounded by a sea of idiots . Longbottom stalks off, anger rolling off of him in waves.
It's apparently not enough that I don't feel guilty for feeling like I accosted her, shared her nest, and went along with the lies she told to save us the trouble - but now I have to defend myself against every alpha that crosses my path. I already know that she's the one who didn't deserve anything from what happened this weekend.
The portrait opens once more, and this time it's Hermione. Relief surges through me as I gaze upon the well-rested omega. A shy smile graces her lips when she spots me, and my heart skips a beat. However, her scent hits me, nearly buckling my knees. I hadn't expected her to be moving about without her scent inhibitor.
"Granger," I greet her softly, pushing away from the wall.
"Good morning, Malfoy," she responds as she approaches. The amber is still mingled with my alpha scent which surprises me as I'm sure she's bathed since then. To me, she's never smelt better.
"Have a good weekend?" I inquire as we fall in step, heading towards the Great Hall. I maintain a comfortable arm's length distance between us. With everyone in the school entertaining unsavory speculations about me regarding her, I'd like to prove them wrong. Even though I know what she looks like as she comes undone and the way her eyes sparkle at swallowing my cum .
"Oh, you know, just had my secondary biology exposed to the entire school and caught up on coursework. What about you?" Her tone is laced with sarcasm, a facet I appreciate.
"It was fine. The entire school seems to be convinced I've pounced on the sole omega at school but I also managed to squeeze in some coursework," I reply, matching her tone while offering a cheeky grin.
"Wow, sounds like our weekends were remarkably similar," she shakes her head. "But seriously, does the whole school really believe that?" Her brow furrows. "I mean, Ginny did mention a rumor, but I never thought it would escalate to this extent."
"Granger," I interject. "You're the only omega here who disappeared with an alpha for the night. Not just any alpha, but me. That's the general consensus. Fortunately for you, my reputation is already in tatters, so there's not much further it can fall."
"That's not fair," she frowns and sighs heavily.
"Perhaps not, but it's understandable why people might think that way and why they'd want to protect you," I offer a nonchalant shrug. "I'll manage."
She shakes her head again, her silence speaks volumes.
The ensuing silence is oddly comfortable. We encounter only a handful of alphas, their eyes averting the moment they meet mine. No one causes us any trouble, and we make it to the Great Hall unscathed.
"Will you sit with me?" Hermione's voice is a hushed plea. "I'll take a seat at the Slytherin table, or you can venture to the Gryffindor side. I just... I'm uncertain about being alone."
Hermione
Rationally, I'm well aware that I won't be entirely alone. Ginny would be right beside me. But there's something undeniably comforting about the uninterrupted tranquility I experienced walking to the Great Hall with Draco. Especially since making it through the common room earlier felt like a monumental task.
I had made the decision to preserve my potions for ventures to Hogsmeade rather than in classes as now I can only brew in the designated room. Perhaps I should have gradually reduced their use because the scene that greeted me in the common room was far from pleasant. A cluster of alphas, a sea of scents, all crowding in around me, their combined aromas threatening to engulf me. Escaping that room became my sole focus, all the while pretending politeness to every alpha present.
Relying solely on Ginny will not be sufficient against all the alphas in Hogwarts. The only true sense of security I have now lies in Draco's presence. I know he won't take advantage of me, nor will he let anything happen to me – a fact he demonstrated during the ball and the morning after. in the corridor the morning after the Unity Ball.
"You want to throw me to the lions, then?" he quips, raising an eyebrow.
"Perhaps we could take turns?" I suggest, striving to keep my voice steady, resisting the urge to let it slip into the instinctual plea of an omega.
We assess each other silently, his eventual heavy sigh breaking the quiet. "Fine, I'll grace the Gryffindor table this morning. Slytherin for lunch?" he proposes.
Relief washes over me, and I manage a nod. "Sounds like a plan. It'll also be a chance to discuss our thoughts on the decline of omegas more openly now," I murmur to him as we step into the Great Hall.
The sensation of watchful eyes tracing our every move accompanies us, and the collective hush followed by a murmur of whispers does nothing to alleviate my unease. Guiding Draco, I lead him to the far end of the Gryffindor table and take a seat. He positions himself across from me, his posture rigid, exuding an air of poise with squared shoulders.
His tense nature isn't solely due to his already good posture as the entire expanse of the Gryffindor table seems to be focusing its gaze on us, as well as a considerable contingent from the Slytherin table. Determinedly squaring my own shoulders, I reach for the coffee pot and proceed to pour myself a cup. "Care for some coffee?" I inquire, extending the pot toward him.
"Please," he replies with a hint of strain, holding out his mug for me to fill. As the dark liquid flows in, a thought crosses my mind, wondering whether he prefers it black or with cream and sugar. I mentally chide myself, realizing the absurdity of such trivial observations. After all, we are friends – there's no need to be scrutinizing his coffee-drinking habits.
Nonetheless, he drinks it black.
Utterly nonsensical . I place a couple of toast slices and some eggs onto my plate, though I find it challenging to eat under the collective weight of all these eyes fixed upon me.
"You should eat," he remarks, nibbling on a small piece of sausage.
I bring the coffee cup to my lips again, savoring the warmth, and then I grip a slice of toast with my other hand, taking a cautious bite. "It's a bit of a challenge when it feels like the entire school has their eyes on us."
Draco raises an eyebrow, his own actions mirroring mine as he takes another bite. "But you suggested sitting together."
I chew thoughtfully, then retort, "I'd be subjected to stares regardless of where I sit."
He pauses, his gaze locking onto mine. "So, you were aiming to make me uncomfortable?"
I return his gaze confidently. "Absolutely," I respond, a note of pride in my voice.
"Well, congratulations," Draco smirks, his eyes glinting with amusement. "You've not only managed to make me uncomfortable, but you've also achieved the remarkable feat of turning breakfast into a spectator sport."
I can feel a grin tugging at the corner of my lips. "Well, Draco, I always strive for excellence in all my endeavors.," I quip, raising an eyebrow playfully before sipping my coffee.
He shakes his head with a small smile of amusement on his lips.
The first couple of classes go smoothly. Draco's protective presence shadows my every step, and the alphas, once eager to engage, now maintain a wary distance. Navigating classes was a breeze as I spend the day at his side. However, as we tread toward the History of Magic class, Draco's agitation becomes palpable. His pace quickens and his eyes dart around the corridors, likely searching for Theo.
Observing his restlessness, I decided to break the silence. "I don't think he'll do anything, you know," I murmur, my gaze finding his profile.
An arched eyebrow is his initial response. "He fully intended on—"
Cutting him off, I interrupt, "We both know what he intended. But the surprise of an omega's presence was shared by all the alphas. It's broad daylight, in public classes. People know now. Besides, I have Herbology while you have Muggle Studies. I won't have you in every class."
Draco's stride slows as we approach our destination. "You don't need me in Herbology, Granger. But I'm not exactly thrilled about the idea of Nott sitting next to you," he admits, a faint pink hue gracing his cheeks.
"He's your friend, don't you trust him?" I inquire, matching his pace.
"I thought I did until he tried to pull that stunt," he confesses, his gaze not quite meeting mine.
"His biology got the best of him, not his true intentions, right?" I press, hoping he'll see the logic.
"I trust Theo, but I don't trust his alpha. Is that what you're looking to hear?" he questions, raising an eyebrow.
Our exchange oddly resembles a lovers' spat, a realization that sends a flutter through my heart, accompanied by a twinge of unease. We're friends , after all.
"No, it's not about that. I just want to ensure there's no friction or trouble for you in this class, especially with Theo and me sitting together," I express, my tone frustrated and full of concern as we step into the classroom, only to find Theo absent.
Draco lets out a soft, almost defeated sigh. "Seems like a moot point now," he mutters, finding his seat beside Padma.
"Seems so," I murmur to him as I take my own seat, contemplative thoughts swirling in my mind.
The remainder of the day melts together in a haze, free from alpha disturbances even during Herbology. I realize, however, that this class has only a single alpha – Neville.
As the bell rings to signal the end of the lesson, Neville positions himself in my path with a sense of urgency. His tone is concerned, his alpha pheromones wafting protectively and I don't like it . I preferred the comforting ones of Draco .
"Hermione, I'm relieved to see you. I was really worried," he states, his voice carrying the weight of genuine concern as he looks me over.
Smiling half-heartedly, I begin rolling up my scroll of notes. "No need to be, Neville. I'm fine."
His words tumble out in a rush, laden with worry. "I need you to be honest with me. Did Malfoy make you take a potion? Is he using his alpha against you? Is he controlling you with some sort of spell?"
His earnestness almost prompts a laugh, but I catch myself when I realize he's deadly serious. Irritation rises within me at his assumptions. "Neville," I sigh, raising my gaze to meet his. "If any of those were true, do you think I'd be able to admit it? Draco is a skilled wizard who wouldn't make such blatant mistakes. But just for clarity, no. Draco and I are friends , and he's helping me navigate through an… unusual period. Your insinuation that I couldn't be friends with him of my own accord is both preposterous and offensive ."
He flushes a deep shade of red. "I didn't mean any offense, honest! It's just, you're the only omega here, and with Malfoy's history—"
"That's enough," my omega growls out before I can restrain myself. "Being an omega doesn't render me helpless! Even with Draco's presence, it doesn't mean I can't take care of myself and make my own decisions. Draco might have made some awful mistakes but that doesn't mean he is an awful person! People grow, and people change! Why did we even have that Unity Ball if everyone is constantly assuming the worst about each other!"
Just as the silence thickens following my impassioned outburst, Draco's voice cuts through it like a blade. "Is there a problem here, Hermione?" His tone is icy, a clear warning.
Turning slightly, I find him glaring at the scene. My anxiety loosens at the sight of him. Shaking my head quickly, I manage, "No. I was just leaving." Collecting my bag, I brush past Neville and head out the door.
"I'm sorry, Hermione!" Neville's voice calls after me, but I'm already outside, seething. I can sense Draco's gaze on me, yet I can't bear to look at him. What if he overheard everything? But does it really matter if he did? It's how I genuinely feel, and he deserves to know.
"Are we still on for flying lessons today?" His voice, quiet and cautious, reaches my ears, in an attempt to divert my anger.
"Yeah," I huff, setting my sights on the path that leads to the Black Lake.