A.N : Hey everyone! I know you're eager to sneak a peek at what happens with their love story after that night—so come on, I'll show you!
PART 6
I woke up with a start. My breath came fast and uneven as I blinked into the dim light of the Slytherin dormitory. The greenish glow of the windows made the room look colder than it already felt.
I glanced down at my belly. No blood. No cane. Nothing to fear. I sighed heavily, trying to calm my nerves.
I wasn't at home, and Father wasn't here. Instead, I was at Hogwarts. My wandーno, her wand, resting on the bedside table, caught the faint morning light. For the first time, I felt free.
The first class today was Transfiguration.
McGonagall's gaze swept over the room, her sharp eyes betraying no trace of sleep.
"After a few weeks," she began in her usual clipped tone, "we will move on to the practical use of spells. For now, however, we will focus on learning them."
Weasley groaned loudly, as if he was personally offended by the lesson plan. His hair stuck out in all directions—a ridiculous mess, really. How Granger tolerated him, I'd never understand.
"Learning them?" Weasley grumbled.
"Yes, Mr. Weasley," McGonagall said, her tone icy. "Learning. It is a crucial part of spellwork."
I smirked to myself. He really doesn't know when to shut up.
"So," McGonagall continued, "we'll begin with the spell to turn animals into grass. The incantation is simple: one, two, three, Felavelto. Now, repeat after me—no, Mr. Longbottom, not with your wand—just the words."
Though the class was dull, I was oddly relieved. No spellwork meant no risk of anyone noticing the wand in my pocket. No one could use another wizard's wand properly. That's why even Granger hadn't managed to heal her wound completely when she'd tried Episkey. My hand brushed the inner pocket of my robes, where her wand was now hidden. Did she even realize she had mine?
"This spell's founder," McGonagall said, her voice fading into the background, "was Wilbard Felavo, who—"
I glanced toward her. Granger. She was scribbling notes furiously, oblivious to the world around her. Her expression was calm—too calm. She doesn't know yet.
"Take out your wands," McGonagall said. "We'll practice the wand movement. No incantations yet—just the swing."
My heart sank. Bloody hell. I froze, glancing around as everyone pulled out their wands. My hand hesitated on hers—slender, curved, unmistakably not mine. Someone would notice for sure. Across the room, Granger pulled her wand from her pocket and quickly shoved it back, lowering her hands beneath the table.
Our eyes met for a brief moment. She smirked.
What the—?!
Hermione slipped Malfoy's wand back into her pocket as discreetly as possible. She hadn't realized why the robe felt heavier last night, but now it made sense. His wand was much thicker than hers and completely straight.
She glanced across the room, catching Malfoy staring at her. His face was pale, his expression unreadable.
"Er—are you okay?" Ron's voice cut through her thoughts.
She blinked, turning toward him. "What? Oh, yes. Why do you ask?"
"You looked like you were off in another world," Ron said, frowning.
"Oh, right. Just tired," she replied, forcing a smile.
"Are you ready, everyone?" McGonagall's gaze lingered on Hermione, her sharp eyes narrowing. Hermione nodded awkwardly, pulling out Malfoy's wand and doing her best to shield it with her hands. She kept it low, under the table, hoping no one would notice.
She glanced at Malfoy again. He looked even more panicked than she felt, barely letting the tip of his wand show from his robe.
After a while, the bell rang, and Hermione let out a deep breath. She'd survived—at least for now.
"Hey, that's not your wand, is it?" Ron asked, frowning at the wand in her hand.
"I—er—"
"Bloody hell, Hermione," Harry said, his eyebrows shooting up. "That's Malfoy's!"
Before she could answer, she felt something press against her shoulder. She turned to see Malfoy standing there, a wand resting lightly against her robes.
"Oh, look who's here," he sneered, his voice low and cold. "Give me back my wand, Granger, or I'll hex you."
Hermione snorted. "Hex me? With what, exactly?" She jerked the wand from his hand roughly, shoving it toward him.
"Just get away from me," she snapped, glaring at him.
"Oh, don't fancy stealing wands anymore? It's not a toy, Granger."
She narrowed her eyes, her hands trembling slightly as he stalked away.
He spit that word out and went away with Crabbe and Goyle. She didn't miss as he whispered to the boys, 'bloody mudblood.' Of course, Harry and Ron heard it, too. They looked at her.
"Just a fight," Hermione said quickly, her tone dismissive. "Just as usual."
"That's why you weren't in the dormitory last night, then," Harry said, his green eyes narrowing with concern. "If he tries anything, you need to tell us."
"Yeah," Ron added, his voice rising with anger. "If he so much as gets near you again, I'll hex him to death."
Hermione forced a small smile, her heart warming at their protectiveness. She truly was grateful to have such loyal friends. But no matter how hard she tried to shake it, her thoughts kept circling back to Malfoy.
I cast a subtle glance at Granger across the Great Hall, then quickly looked down at the folded piece of parchment in my hand. My fingers traced its edge beneath the table, ensuring no one saw as I slipped it through the space between the Slytherin and Gryffindor tables. With any luck, it landed on her lap.
Please, Merlin, let her be the only one who notices.
I make a sneaky quick glance in her direction. She was looking up now, her eyes scanning the Hall before settling on me. I averted my gaze, feigning disinterest, but I could feel her stare burning through me. When I finally dared to glance back, she was smirking.
What now?
Something soft tapped Hermione's lap. Frowning slightly, she looked down to find a carefully folded note. She picked it up, flipping it over to see a sleek, serpent-shaped "S" scrawled on the back.
Slytherin. Of course.
Her eyes drifted to the Slytherin table, where Malfoy was watching her with his usual tense, stormy-gray gaze. The second she caught him, he turned away, his expression hardening into that familiar icy mask. Hermione snorted quietly. He always looked like he was afraid of something.
She noticed him absently running a hand through his hair, smoothing it over, his fingers lingering there. When he glanced at her again and saw her smirk, his hand immediately dropped, and he leaned over to talk to Crabbe, pretending she didn't exist.
Hermione's smirk widened. Vain prince. Now that he knew she was watching, his precious hair had to be perfect.
Her attention shifted back to the parchment. Unfolding it carefully, she read:
Meet me at that bloody place where we got stuck that night. Tonight. Want to claim something.
She rolled her eyes and folded the note again, shaking her head. What was he on about now? And why so many unnecessary words? Bloody? Claim something? Was this his attempt at being dramatic?
"What the bloody hell are you laughing at?" Ron muttered, his voice thick with drowsiness.
"Nothing," Hermione said quickly, trying to stifle her grin. "Just remembered something funny."
But she couldn't stop the smirk from tugging at her lips. Her mind was already on tonight. But why?
Of course, Hermione reminded herself, this was about uncovering Malfoy's secret. The why, the where, the how, and the who. But why was she so determined? For her own satisfaction? Possibly. For Harry? Perhaps, if it was connected somehow.
Or… for him?
"Gosh, Hermione, you look so dreamy today. Are you alright?" Harry's voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
"Um, yes, well… I was thinking about the essay submission next week," she replied quickly, realizing it was the most convenient excuse she could muster.
"Essays?"
"For Potions, Ronald. Remember?"
"Oh. Can I see yours—"
"No, you may not," she said, rolling her eyes. But then an idea struck her: if she could keep Harry and Ron occupied, they wouldn't meddle in her plans tonight. "Actually, yes. But wait until tonight—I want to give it a final review."
Another extraordinary night is about to begin, isn't it? Please check out my next chapter!
