Chapter 21

The end of year exams were fast approaching, leaving no room for extracurricular activities, only studying. The last week of Defense Against the Dark Arts lessons arrived. Resisting the Imperius Curse was the stated subject. What they really were learning was Occlumency through using Legilimens and Occlumens.

"Today we are learning to resist the Imperius Curse via Occlumency. It is used to shield one's mind from the invasion and influence of a Legilimens, or a mind searcher. Those who have this skill can resist their mind being penetrated; resist influence of veritserium potion, and some of the effects of the Imperius Curse." Professor Malcolm McGonagall began as he presented to the class.

"The basic form of Occlumency involves," He pointed to the black board that had writing upon it. "Clearing one's mind - making it 'blank and empty'- in order to prevent a Legilimens from perceiving one's emotions and thoughts. It allows the shut out of an invasive individual who desires to perceive ones thoughts and emotions. It requires a great deal of willpower, as well as high degree of mental and emotional discipline. I want everyone to pair up by placing your desk so you are face to face with someone you are not as friendly with on a regular basis. As those more friendly emotions will make this task more difficult to do. Direct eye contact is required. Your want may be held in your hand but it is not entirely necessary."

Draco found a seventh year Ravenclaw male student to pair up with. "Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw students will be casting Legilimens spell to search their partners mind. Slytherin and Gryffindor students, you will be executing Occlumens to shield your mind. Begin eye contact. Keep it steady. You may begin." The professor announced and a bombardment of voices echoed off the class walls.

'Occlumens' Draco thought silently, not needing to hold his wand for this task. His mental barrier was up, giving the Ravenclaw absolutely nothing. Just…nothing. Suppressing all emotions and memories from his mind. Leaving nothing for the student to find.

The boy looked puzzled and was grateful when the professor announced to switch partners. After five students one of them stood up and said, "Malfoy isn't even trying. I can't anything from him."

The professor approached and looked rather impressed. "If he wasn't trying to block, you would be able to get something from him. It seems you are quite skilled in this Mr. Malfoy." He complimented and the professor had the students switch who was using the search and block charms. Draco wasn't as skilled at mind searching as he was blocking. This was going to be a skill worth developing.

At first Hermione, was a tad nervous about being the subject of such a spell when paired up with a Ravenclaw student. However, she quickly found that either her partner was unskilled in casting the unfriendly spell, or she was such a quick learner that she was able to completely block out any attempt to invade her mind. The next few exchanges with other students confirmed that it was in fact her efforts to block that were successful.

"Good work Miss Granger. It seems like you and Mr. Malfoy will have no issue with defending against this spell in the future." Professor McGonagall commented. But when it came time for her turn to take the offensive position, she decided to go easy on her 'opponent' so as to not hurt anyone with the nasty spell. Unfortunately, one Hufflepuff student she was matched up with lost focus. Luckily, the command she used was to sit down. "Work on it, Kettleburn. Think of nothing, clear your mind." The professor encouraged as he witnessed the struggle.

Draco was envious that Granger was getting this task of Occlumency within the first thirty minutes of class. It had taken him longer. The professor ordered people to switch partners again and this time much to his dismay, he ended up with Granger. It was his turn to block an invasion, but he hadn't been able to entirely block her because of the sudden jolt of envy that had flared up within him toward Granger moments before.

His envy triggered the memory of how he had learned Occlumency, that she was entirely witnessing while invading his mind.

-Flashback-

"Where are we going? I thought we were going to begin Occlumency training?" 16 year old Draco asked as he followed his Aunt Bellatrix down a set of stone stairs that led to the dungeons below Malfoy Manor.

"We are Draco. Keep up now. That's a good lad." She said as they passed the usual area and went further back into the cell cavern. They stopped and she uncovered what appeared to be an old well hole.

"What's going on?" He asked confused as his Aunt Bellatrix asked for his wand. He obeyed, hesitantly handing it over to her. "Occlumency involves clearing your mind. Free of everything, until nothing remains. No emotions. No memories. Just darkness." She said and pushed him in.

He fell to the dirt bottom, grateful it was a dry well. He couldn't see anything around or in front of him, it was too dark. He looked up at his Aunt from above, barely making out the circle of the top of the well. "Let me out of here this instant. My father will hear about this. This is my house; you must do as I say." He yelled and she just chuckled a sound full of cold and insanity.

"No, dear boy. I only do what the Dark Lord commands. As he is residing here I consider this place his domain. Your father has already lost his chance to prove himself worthy of the Dark Lord's respect. I do hope you can bring back some honor to your family. For if you fail learning Occlumency, however are you going to be able to complete the task you have been honored to do? We can't have that oaf Dumbledore seeing what is coming for him. Remember Draco, embrace the nothingness." She said and placed the cover over the whole opening, leaving him in total darkness.

For a while he tried to climb out physically. That only resulted in scraps, bruises, and failure. He couldn't apparated out. He didn't have his wand. Then he got hungry and thirsty and needed to relieve himself. Eventually those needs disappeared and gave way to exhaustion. His voice eventually disappeared from overuse, shouting and calling out for help. Leaving him alone, in the dark, no voice of his own for comfort, no light to see, nothing to hear, and nothing to feel. Only thing left to do was close his eyes and embrace the darkness around. Feel the entire nothing around him.

It was unknown to him how many days passed before the hole above him opened and he fished out, feigning from the brightness of a single candlelight lamp he wasn't ready when his Aunt's voice said, "Legilimens." While another voice said "Lumos" and shined it right at him. Another distraction was the scent of food nearby and the sound of water. He bowled over; slamming his mind shut, wishing it would all just go away. The darkness didn't require anything. It was easy to feel nothing compared to feeling everything.

"Well done Draco…" Bellatrix whispered into his ear. The voice of Lord Voldemort came next. "You certainly have a way with children Bellatrix…

-Flashback ends-

Draco managed to throw her out of his mind. His breath was in quiet pants and his eyes fierce with cold anger and defensive glare. Why did she have to be damn good at everything?

Switched up again and this time against Malfoy, she took the mean look he gave her as a challenge to do her best against him, possibly to test her legilimency or his Occlumency, she couldn't quite tell. Apparently it was neither. She wasn't expecting to break through his barrier and to see what played out before her. Being trapped in that well, starving and alone, she couldn't imagine how he managed to survive and not absolutely hate his family. She felt horrible for him because she knew it wasn't actually his family's fault. They were in deep with the Dark Lord, whether they liked it or not.

Then Draco finally managed to regain control and throw her out of his mind. Shocked at what she saw she stepped back. She saw the anger in Draco's eyes and worried he'd lash out. "Oh my—I'm sorry! I didn't mean to—I thought you would—"

"What's going on then?" Professor Malcolm McGonagall came over to assess the damage, "See something you weren't supposed to, Miss Granger? Well, it's nothing a polite apology won't fix. No hard feelings over an exercise in Occlumency, I won't have it."

Hermione threw her head down into a bow, "Yes, I'm very sorry. I thought you would have been more capable to block me out." She rambled.

"Very good. Good job everyone. I think that's enough for today. Class dismissed." Professor McGonagall announced, trying to diffuse the situation.

Students eager to leave early began to hurry out of class. The professor waited and Draco reluctantly said, "Don't mention it." Taking that as an apology the professor left them. Once out of earshot Draco couldn't help but spat, "I blood well could have blocked you if…Why do you have to be so good at everything Granger? What took me three days you accomplished in thirty minutes. It's infuriating."

Hermione was a bit taken back and appalled by Draco's tantrum. "What are you talking about? Just because I wasn't tortured in order to learn a skill that makes me better than you? I'm good at things because I study my arse off, nothing because I'm some sort of special." She spat back.

"I'm talking about you. Anything you do is brilliant. Everything you do is right. You are beautiful in every way possible…" Draco remarked and stopped, trailing off his speech. He hadn't meant to say that last part out loud.

He regained his composure enough to grab his bag and say on his way out, in a calm, collected, sincere manner, "For once in your life you are wrong, Granger. You are really special, you just won't acknowledge it. Farewell Granger." He finished leaving the classroom before he made a bigger fool of himself.

So, maybe he had developed some level of attraction towards her. Or perhaps he was simply stating fact. Yes, he reasoned, stating a fact. It didn't matter though. N.E.W.T.s were next week and Graduation was the week after. Then he was on his way to the Alchemy Centre in Egypt after summer. He and Granger were associates that had put the past behind them. It was time to move on from Hogwarts institution and onto a brighter future.

Beautiful in every way…this compliment made Hermione blush harder than she ever had before. Even Ron hadn't called her beautiful before, the ruddy git. At least he managed to send her a longer letter than before. But it was mostly complaining about his supervisors. Nothing romantic like Harry and Ginny were sending each other. It really did make her sad, but she promised not to hold it against him.

She had absolutely had no idea how to respond. For the first time in her life, she didn't have an answer. Hell, she didn't even know what the question was. She simply stood there, flabbergasted. She knew his opinion of her had improved, but she hadn't no idea what he thought of her exactly now.

N.E.W.T.s came and left without issue. Hermione was confident that she passed all of her tests with 0's. Even the professors and guest testers were impressed with her performances. She was a bit curious as to how Draco faired, but whenever she tried to find him to ask, he either avoided her or seemed to be in the company of several others making him unavailable to approach. Although, at one point, she could have sword she saw him turn the slightest shade of pink when he caught a glance of her in passing. After several failed attempts, she decided to give him the space he apparently needed.

Draco passed his final exams with 0's. He managed to avoid Granger to speaking with her directly though there was no hiding the blush of pin that spread on his cheeks when their eyes met once. Graduation was uneventful. The seventh and eighth years were carried away from Hogwarts in the boats across the lake, just as they had been carried to Hogwarts at the beginning.

Authors' Note: We have completed part one out of four parts of the story, Stranger Than Magic. I won't be breaking the parts up into 'books' like I initially thought. I refer to them as parts simply because each part is a specific transition of how Draco and Hermione's relationship develops. All four parts are one story. They will be presented together in sequential chapters, just as you have been reading this entire time. and I, adwhogwartsseeker, cannot THANK YOU ALL so much for reading, comments, favorite and following our tale. It really does bring us an immense amount of joy that so many of you devoted Harry Potter fans are enjoying our portrayal of these beloved characters, the development of between them, and the plot. Thank you for your patience as I am the one doing the transfer and editing from our writing platform to an acceptable document that allows me to upload it to the site. I know this last chapter ended in a way that was very conflicting for most, if not all of you, including us authors. Stay with us folks! They parted way as respected classmates. Now the fun can begin to develop their status from respectful of one another as classmates into...spoilers. ^_~

For those of you, who have reviewed with a compliment to the story and added a comment of seeking to friend me (adwhogwartsseeker) or engage in discussion, please check your private messaging via the fanfiction site. I can assure you I am not ignoring you request or have simply forgotten. I have sent out messages and look forward to chat, discuss, or make a new friend.

Sincerely one of the authors, adwhogwartsseeker