Chapter five is here.
Thank you for your reviews so far and please feel free to tell me what you think. I always enjoy reading your opinions.
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters and the world of Harry Potter.
The rest of the first school week and the next week altogether passed hastily and without any more issues, now the second weekend finally came and Hermione was still in her bed, pondering what to do. The last couple of days had been so busy, that she actually managed to fall asleep easier and faster than normal, and even more, she had no nightmares. For the first time in months, she dared hope her sleep had returned to normal.
For the second weekend, she thought she could spend her day with Ginny, watch her train for her first Quidditch match or she could spend her day in the library, finishing the assignments for the following week.
She got up from bed, still wondering what to do when a knock on the door interrupted her from her way to the wardrobe. She went to open the door and was surprised to see Malfoy standing on the other side. He wore an amused expression on his face and Hermione realized that she was still wearing her fluffy pajamas.
"What?" she questioned, irritated by the look on his face. He was clearly holding a laugh.
"Um… " He started and then cleared his throat to dissipate his amusement. "Professor McGonagall asked to see us."
"Oh," her expression changed. "Just give me a second" she said and started to close the door when she saw that his expression changed to amusement once again. She narrowed her eyes at him and asked in a calm voice. "What is it that you find so amusing?"
Draco noted the calmness in her voice and took it as a warning. He took a step back when she stepped out of her room and started walking towards him. She looked like a lioness chasing her prey in a fluffy pajama with bunnies draped all over them. He chuckled as that image formed in his head and it didn't go unnoticed by her. At that, Hermione took a hold of the pillow from the armchair next to her and threw it towards him. He stopped the pillow with zero effort and started laughing as the image in his head grew stronger, but doing so, he missed the book that she threw at him and hit him in the face. He lost his balance from the impact and landed on the floor with a loud bang.
Hermione was startled by the noise and only then she realized what she had done. She hit Malfoy with a book and he was now on the floor, sobbing with the book covering his face. She kneeled next to him and took the book away from his face. She then saw him. He was making an effort to breathe as he was sobbing from the laugh.
At that, Hermione dropped back the book irritated and once again it landed on his face. She then returned to her room to get ready for the meeting with her Head of House and left him on the floor, laughing.
A brisk shower later, she put on her muggle jeans and a white shirt for it was the weekend and the school uniform wasn't required and then she exited the room. Malfoy, who was waiting for her on the couch, rose on his feet when he saw her emerge from the room. Hermione saw him standing there with a bruise on his forehead. She flinched at the sight.
"Sorry for that" she said as she pointed to the bruise.
He drew his hand to his forehead and then added with a small smile on his face "It's ok, I had it coming, I guess."
"I think that professor McGonagall is waiting for us." she said.
"Yes." He replied as he remembered "We should get going."
They walked in silence through the school corridors and it was Hermione who finally broke the silence. "They were a present from my mother." she informed him with a slight blush on her face.
"Wha… Oh…" he muttered as he realized what she was talking about and he made efforts to keep that image away and to suppress the chuckle that was building up. He touched the bruise on his forehead once more and the pain came back as a reminder to what would happen if he didn't behave.
Hermione noticed the torn expression on his face and she realized that he was fighting to hold back his amusement. She sighed dramatically. "You can laugh if you want to. I know I look very childish in those."
He let out a chuckle and then replied "Sorry." He wanted to tell her that she didn't look like a child at all, he wanted to describe his image of her, but he refrained himself from doing so.
"I can take care of that bruise for you, if you would like" she informed and wondered why he didn't do it himself by now. Surely he knew how to cure a simple bruise or if not, conceal it.
He thought for a second before answering "Thanks, but I will take care of it."
"As you wish." she said, thoughtful as they got to the professor's office door.
Malfoy knocked on the door and they were greeted with a "Come in!" He opened the door for Hermione and he waited for her to get in before he did the same and closed the door behind him.
McGonagall sat at her desk, sipping from her cup of tea, when they walked in and she wasn't alone. In the left side of the room, at the window, stood professor Snape and he turned to face them when he heard the door close.
"Oh, my!" McGonagall started when she saw the bruise on Draco's face. "What happened to you, Mr. Malfoy?" she inquired concerned and then rose from her desk and went to examine his contusion.
Hermione blushed when Malfoy slightly turned to look at her with an amused expression on his face. "It's nothing, professor, a book fell from the shelf and found its way to my head." He explained and turned to look at her. She looked convinced, but the Head of Slytherin wasn't. He watched both Draco and Hermione with his permanent scowl on his face. Of course he must have realized Draco was lying, but he didn't say anything.
"You should be more careful, dear boy!" McGonagall told him, concerned.
"I will," he said as he turned his head to look at Hermione once more "Thank you for your concern, professor."
McGonagall returned to sit at her desk and encouraged them to sit down on the chairs in front of her. They did just that and then the professor started "I'm sure you wonder why I called you here on a Saturday." At that, they both nodded and she continued "Well, I should have informed you earlier, but I was told that some of the prefects will take care of this. As you know, starting today, every weekend the students are allowed to visit Hogsmeade, but only with the allowance of their parents." They nodded again. "I was told that today, a couple of prefects will come with us, but their Quidditch practice wouldn't allow it and that is why I asked for the two of you. I think it is only normal for the Head Girl and Boy to watch over the other students, along with the joining teachers, of course."
"Of course we will help, professor," Hermione assured her quickly. "It is our duty, after all."
"I'm happy to hear that, Miss Granger," the woman said with a smile. "Mr. Malfoy? Are you on the same page?" she inquired.
"Of course, professor." He assured her. The old Draco would certainly not enjoy chaperone duties, but he wanted to show everybody that he was changed and he could be trusted.
"Well then, that's settled. We will meet in about half an hour outside the castle. You can go get ready. Professor Snape and I will join you on the trip."
Hermione's eyes darted to the Potions Master and they locked eyes. She wondered how her Head of House convinced him to go on the trip. He sure didn't like looking out after all those dunderheads and he certainly was not the type to enjoy a nice stroll. His frown deepened and she finally looked away from him, sitting up from the chair.
On their way back to the dorm, Hermione met Ginny who seemed to be returning from the Quidditch pitch since she was still wearing some of her equipment. She must have been in a hurry to leave the pitch if she did not have the time to change.
"Hermione! I'm glad to find you. Can I have a word with you?" she said as she glanced at Malfoy who was waiting for Hermione.
"Sure." She said and then turned to Malfoy: "I'll meet you outside the castle".
"As you wish" he replied and walked away.
"What's going on, Ginny? I thought you would be practicing all day. Is everything alright?" Hermione started as she saw the Slytherin walk away.
"I was going to, but then I got a note from Harry. He said his training got cut short and that he will be in Hogsmeade today and he wants to meet us." She said animatedly.
"Harry! Of course I want to meet him as well!" Hermione exclaimed "Is he coming alone?" she inquired. She really didn't want to face Ron.
"I don't know, really." the redhead replied with a sad look on her face. "Hermione, I'm sorry about my brother…"
Hermione interrupted her "Don't worry, Ginny, it's not your fault. And maybe it's better this way." The truth was, she felt it really was better that way. "Oh. I almost forgot. I have chaperone duties in Hogsmeade, but I hope that we will be able to meet there!"
"I'm sure we will. Harry said that he will be staying at the Three Broomsticks. Meet us there?"
"Sure, but I really must be going now. See you there!" Hermione replied and she started walking to her dorm. When she got there, she didn't have much time but to put a sweater on and then exited the room. Once again, Malfoy was waiting for her and they silently made their way to the front of the Castle where the two professors that were joining them were surrounded by some students.
"Ah, there they are," McGonagall informed as she laid eyes on them. "Hermione, dear, you and Mr. Malfoy will have to watch over the first years and we will take over the rest."
"Of course, professor," she assured the older witch as her eyes went over the group of small children.
"Now, students, as you were informed, you have the entire afternoon to walk around and visit, but please behave and don't put us in the position to escort you back. I don't think professor Snape would enjoy that." She said as she glanced at Snape.
"No, I would not." He said, emphasizing the last word and looking over the students with a scowl.
Hermione rolled her eyes at his successful attempt to scare the younger students and his eyes stopped exactly on her. She looked away, ashamed of her reaction.
"Now let's go, children, and please stay close. Do not get too far away!" McGonagall started and with that, the group started moving.
Draco went to join professor McGonagall in the front of the group as Hermione stayed back, watching as the last of the students came from the Great Door and ran to his fellow colleagues. To her surprise, it was the little Hufflepuff girl that kept getting lost. It did seem like she got a couple of friends at least, since a Ravenclaw girl and a Hufflepuff boy were waiting for her and the three of them took off as soon as Harriet joined them. Hermione was relieved the little girl was not alone anymore.
She stayed behind a couple for another minute to see if there were any other students behind schedule, but she turned on her heels and walked away when nobody came and almost crashed into Snape as she took off. She didn't see him as he also stayed back to see if there were any delayers.
"Professor! I didn't see you standing there." She excused herself.
"I'm sure you have not." He said incredulously and he started walking.
She walked away as well and caught up with him. He didn't turn his head to look at her and they walked together in silence, the last group of students were walking a good ten meters ahead of them.. Hermione expected him to snarl at her and tell her to go away, but he did nothing of that. Instead, he just started talking, without looking at her "I see that you managed to… damage my godson." she thought she could sense a hint of amusement in his voice.
Hermione's eyes widened at that remark. Surely Malfoy hadn't told him. "I did nothing of the kind, sir." She lied.
"Keep your lies for your Head of House, Miss Granger. Draco is a poor liar. And you are even more awful." He replied, this time he turned his head to look in her eyes with a smirk on his face.
Hermione blushed slightly as he held his gaze. "It wasn't my intention to hurt him, sir, I assure you!"
He only snorted doubtfully at that.
"It wasn't!" she said as she got in front of him, stopping him from his path and crossed her arms at her chest. She watched him with a stern look on her face.
"Are you planning to harm me as well, Miss Granger?" he challenged with a sneer and he also crossed his arms at his chest, waiting.
She watched him and she found herself intimidated by his demeanor. She lowered her arms, blushing slightly and she let him pass.
He snorted and walked past her, muttering something about "not having the nerves" and Hermione remained a few steps behind for the rest of the trip.
Everyone scattered in the village as they got there and Hermione went over to where Draco was standing to watch over the group of first years.
"I have something to do… can you please watch over the students for about ten minutes?" she asked with a smile on her face. She had to see Harry. When she got his letter the previous week, she still did not expect to see him so soon since he was away training. However, Hermione couldn't complain. She was ecstatic she could see him at last, she had really missed their time together in the Castle.
He pondered for a second before answering "Sure! Take your time." He hoped that she didn't though. He really didn't like babysitting and he felt overwhelmed keeping track of where all of the first years were.
She thanked him as she walked away from him and headed to the Three Broomsticks. When she got to the Inn, she didn't have time to look around as Harry spotted her first.
"Hermione!" he exclaimed and then ran over to her and gave her a tight hug. "Oh, I missed you so much!" he said.
"I missed you too, Harry." She managed to say from his unyielding hug and she made an effort to breathe.
Harry noticed that and let go of her with an embarrassed look on his face "Sorry for that!"
Hermione let out a chuckle as she looked at her best friend. In the months since she had last seen him, it seemed like he had shed some years off his shoulders. His expression was softer, his face rounder, and a permanent smile was plastered on his face. When his glance fell over the red headed girl who was waiting for them at the table, Hermione could notice the sparkle in his eyes. He was finally happy and Hermione couldn't be more proud and happy for him. If anyone deserved to be happy, it was definitely Harry Potter.
"So, Harry, how's your training going?" Hermione asked him once they were seated at the table, three butterbeers appearing in front of them.
He sighed before responding "It's great, but I hate to be so far away from the people I love. I missed you two so much!"
"But you're here now!" Ginny started and she hugged him tightly as Harry placed a kiss on her forehead. They were so cute to watch. But Hermione felt like she didn't belong there. She felt she needed to give them some space.
"Hermione, have you heard from Ron?" Harry asked, concerned.
"No, and I am a bit worried. I haven't heard from him in a while. I hope he is ok." She said thoughtfully. It had been more than a week since she found out about his adventures, and in that time, he had not reached out at all.
"I don't think you should worry about him, Mione. You know how much I care about him, about both of you, but what he did was wrong. I talked to him a few days ago and he is doing just fine, so you should stop worrying at least. I just hoped he gathered the courage to actually talk to you."
"Harry is right, Hermione. You shouldn't worry about my idiotic brother." Ginny replied as well, fire burning in her eyes.
"You are probably right, but we've all been through so much together! I can't help it. And I do look forward to hearing from him. If anything, I think I deserve an explanation."
"You definitely do." Harry simply replied.
They sat there and talked, but when Hermione glanced at the watch and saw that fifteen minutes had passed, she rose to her feet. "I'm sorry, but I have to go. It is my duty to look after the younger students and it doesn't seem fair to let Malfoy do my job too."
"I understand, Mione," Harry said. "Also, please be careful with Malfoy. I know he's different and remorseful, but he's still Malfoy. Let's not lower our guard just yet"
"I hope to see you soon, Harry," she replied as she gave him a hug. "Don't worry about Malfoy, though. I'm more than capable of handling him." she assured him and after she bid her goodbye to Ginny as well, she left them alone.
"Sorry to keep you waiting" Hermione told Draco as she took her place on the bench next to him.
"It's ok. My presence wasn't required anywhere anyway. How is he?" he questioned.
"Harry?" she asked and he only nodded. "He is fine, he's on break from the Auror training and he's come to pay us a visit."
"Did he come alone?"
"Yes." she answered, and she realized she was relieved. She was not ready to face her ex boyfriend. Although she already came to the realization she did not love him like someone was supposed to love her future husband, she did not want to have that uncomfortable discussion with him.
When the afternoon was finally over and it was time to head back to the castle, everybody gathered around for professor McGonagall to go through the list of students. When the examination was over, all the students being present, they finally headed back to Hogwarts.
When she returned to her room later that evening, Hermione put her cozy pajamas on and started doing her homework for the following week. She started doing her Charms project, but halfway into it she realized that she needed more information. She first scanned her bookshelves to find something useful and she found something, but it still wasn't enough. Hermione exhaled frustrated and she pondered what to do. She could finish the Charms project tomorrow or… She shot a quick glance at the spot where Harry's Cloak and Map were laid over. Or she could go to the library now.
It was ten thirty in the evening and Hermione was pacing back and forth in her room, unsure of what to do. At some point she remembered Snape's muttered words about "Not having the nerves" and she impulsively grabbed the Invisibility Cloak and opened the Map to scan for any night walkers. On the lower floors, in the far end of the castle she could see Filch's and Mrs. Norris's footsteps. She remembered the twins' theory according to which Filch would never pace the higher floors. In his office, Headmaster Dumbledore was pacing back and forth as always. She scanned the map for somebody else when something else caught her eye. On the fifth floor, in an unknown room to even the Map, the footsteps of Draco Malfoy could be seen. He wasn't moving. He was just standing there. She watched for a couple of minutes, starting to get a little worried by his unmoving footprints, when he finally turned and left. About five minutes later, she heard the door outside her room and she saw that he had returned and headed to his bedroom. She inspected the Map a little more for signs of the real danger that was the Potions Master and she saw him in his office, at his desk.
She exhaled relieved as she put the cloak on and then slowly exited the room, not making any sound as she did so. A few minutes later, she found herself in the library, surrounded by thousands of books. She went to the Charms section and quickly found what she needed. As always, the urge to stay and explore some more was great, but she decided against it and headed back to her quarters. Just as she exited the library, she remembered to check the Map. Silently, Hermione opened it under her Cloak and her eyes fell directly on the empty office of professor Snape. Swearing wordlessly under her breath, she quickly scanned the corridors for any sign of the Potions Master until she finally saw his footsteps appear on the same floor as her.
Map in hand, Hermione walked for a minute in the opposite direction to take the longer route to her quarters to avoid Snape when something caught her eye. On the Map, not too far away, there were three pairs of footsteps. She immediately recognized the names of three Gryffindor first years and she started panicking. If Snape caught them, the house would lose a large amount of points and they would probably scratch cauldrons until Merlin knows when or worse, end up in detention with Filch. She acted on the spot and jogged quickly to them. They looked frightened when Hermione lowered the Cloak and only her head appeared so she took it off and spread it over the three of them. Hermione pressed her index finger on her lips. "Shhhh. Take this and go back to your tower immediately. Do. Not. Make. Any. Sound. I will come tomorrow to retrieve it. Go!" she whispered and she felt the light fabric caress her upper arm when they set off. She hid her Map underneath her blouse and exhaled in relief while she made a promise that she would castigate them herself for their foolishness.
Hermione only took a few steps forward. Her heart was racing so fast that she could hear only its beating. She stopped to listen for any signs of footsteps, but heard nothing. Suddenly, she heard someone clearing his throat behind her, making her jolt and she turned to face him. She saw Snape on the Map earlier so she wasn't surprised to see him standing there, but he still startled her.
"We meet again, Miss Granger. And after curfew still. Care to explain why it is that I find you here at this late hour, dressed in… that?" he started with a disgusted smirk on his face.
Hermione blushed when she realized that she was wearing her fluffy pajamas that her mother gave her and she remembered the incident with Malfoy from that morning. She grinned at the thought proudly. Maybe he did deserve it. Nobody messed with her cozy night-clothes. She was distracted from her thoughts when he once more cleared his throat loudly.
"I am sorry, sir. I wanted to finish a project and I didn't have sufficient information so I – " she quickly explained.
"So you thought you should break a few rules to finish a paper that could very well wait until tomorrow." He interrupted.
"Well, I thought –" she started but she was once again interrupted.
"You obviously did not think!" he cut shortly, seemingly annoyed. "And care to enlighten me about your choice of clothes? Last time I checked, the school uniform wasn't draped in stuffed animals!"
She narrowed her eyes in frustration. He was making fun of her fluffy night-clothes. "My choice of clothes is the reason your godson is now *damaged*, sir!"
He took a step forward and inquired, his low baritone voice barely a whisper "Are you threatening me, Miss Granger?" He seemed amused.
"No, sir! I was merely stating a fact." She responded bluntly, looking directly into his eyes.
"I see. ", he said thoughtfully and then continued "And what will you choose, Miss Granger? Deducted points or detention?"
She sighed "I think you already know my answer, professor."
"Detention it is, then. Monday at eight sharp, Miss Granger." He informed her as he stormed off, cloak billowing furiously behind him.
"Yes, sir" she sighed once more and she headed back. She had enough adventures for one day. She was just thankful he at least did not deduct points again.
Thankfully she managed to finish her Charms project that evening, so for the rest of the weekend, there was nothing else to do but spend some time with Ginny. She actually looked forward to that.
When she got to bed, it was half past one. Being extremely tired, she fell asleep almost immediately.
