Hi everyone, I am not sure why, but I discovered my story is not showing up when you filter the Harry Potter category search for stories specific to the Hermione and Draco pairing…not sure what that's about, so if any of you have any ideas, let me know.

I hope you have a great day and that you enjoy this next chapter.

Tempest Winds

Chapter 4

Draco

"No, that's not right," Andromeda said in frustration.

"Well, you don't know what you're doing either," Draco exclaimed, throwing his quill down and rubbing his eyes.

They had been trying to figure out Ancient Runes equations for the past two hours in an effort to catch Draco up so he would be prepared for the next term. But nobody in the Tonks household, Draco included, knew shit all about Runes.

"This is pointless," Draco said as Andromeda tried to make heads or tales of the ancient symbols before her, "It's not even required!"

"Draco," Andromeda warned, not willing to have another fight about him taking these courses.

Draco sighed and said, "Maybe mother might know?"

"Like you, Narcissa never pursued an interest in Ancient Runes," Andromeda said distractedly, taking away Draco's hope at seeing his mother more than once every two weeks.

"That's because only total dorks take it," Draco grumbled.

Andromeda looked up and studied Draco for a moment and said, "Brilliant Draco."

Draco looked down at the parchment she had dropped and found the same baffling coded nonsense with no solution.

Andromeda had grabbed his quill up and a spare bit of parchment. She scribbled something quickly, too quickly for Draco to see, then walked to the owl cage in the corner of the living room and gently coaxed the bird out while tying the message to her leg.

"Noctua, take this to Professor Dumbledore," Andromeda whispered to the bird, stroking her feathers lovingly, before extending her arm out the living room window, allowing the bird to take flight in the night sky.

"Professor Dumbledore?" Draco sneered, "Isn't that a little extreme?"

"I asked Professor Dumbledore for a recommendation on a tutor so I don't have to do this anymore," Andromeda said, rubbing her temples, "You might actually learn and I won't go mad."

"A tutor?" Draco groaned.

"Yes, and not just for this course either," Andromeda said, brewing tea for them then turning back to Draco and said, "This will be so much better than you and I struggling through every session."

Draco sulked, grabbing one of his muggle studies book and opened the page to a chapter on large metal boxes that muggles used to clean their clothes.

"If you had a halfway decent library like at Malfoy Manor," Draco said, "I would be able to figure this out on my own."

"Well, like most witches and wizards, you will have to make do with what's available to you," Andromeda said, "So when a priceless private collection of books isn't at your disposal, you take what help you can. In the form of a tutor."

Hermione

Hermione was busy working her way through her prep list. Despite her time in Italy, Hermione had already managed to complete her term prep by reading everything on the syllabus and recommended supplemental reading as well as practice tests with satisfactory scores.

No, her prep today was for when…well, whenever what happened with Harry and Ron happened. She didn't know what would happen or when, but in this fight with Voldemort, she was going to be prepared like her life depended on it. Because it did.

Hermione had been distraught when she had learned that days ago, Professor Charity Burbage had gone missing. And she probably wouldn't be found alive, if at all.

Hermione's panic and anger at the situation fueled her desire to be ready.

Hermione flipped a book open of an old text she had been attempting to track down all summer that had been banned at Hogwarts. Viktor had been successful in obtaining it for her when she had mentioned it off hand to her. She had no idea how he got it or how much it cost, but she was extremely grateful.

Hermione found the page she was looking for and then grabbed her beaded bag she had selected for this particular purpose. She could easily conceal it on her person if needed.

Hermione reread through the undetectable extension charm incantation and spellwork until she heard a tap on her window.

She gasped as Fawkes great body treaded air outside her window. She opened the window and let Fawkes fly through the window and land on her desk.

Hermione noted a piece of parchment tied to his left leg and carefully detached it, thanking Fawkes who nodded his head regally.

"Miss Granger, we are hoping for a brief moment of your time. Would you please come to the door and allow us in?"

There was then a knocking at the door, as Fawkes prepared for liftoff from the ledge of her window.

Hermione closed her window and then jogged down the stairs.

She flew open the door and there on her stoop stood Professor Dumbledore and Nymphadora Tonks.

"Professor, Tonks, please come in," she said, gesturing inside, slightly worried.

Was it Harry? Had something happened?

"Don't worry yourself Miss Granger, all is well," Professor Dumbledore said as if reading her thoughts.

"How can all be well when You Know Who is wandering around?" Tonks joked, a teasing gleam in her eye.

Dumbledore chuckled and said, "Indeed, Nymphadora, I meant in regards to Hermione's concern for Harry. He is with the Weasley family, playing a pickup game of quidditch I believe."

Hermione smiled and murmured, "Thank Merlin."

Dumbledore gestured to the living room and said, "I was wondering if we could discuss some things with you, Miss Granger."

Hermione nodded once and gestured to the sofa and asked, "May I get you some tea?"

Dumbledore shook his head and Tonks followed suit.

"We have only a brief time before your parents return from their errands," Tonks said.

Hermione wasn't going to ask how they knew her parents were out, deciding it was more important to know the reason for their visit.

"How can I help?" she asked.

Dumbledore shifted in his seat while Tonks looked anywhere but at Hermione. Hermione felt an odd sense of unease come over her based on their body language.

"You are quite a gifted student und I am seeking someone who would be willing to assist a fellow student in their academic pursuits," Dumbledore began.

Hermione was confused as to why they were acting so strangely over such a simple request. As a prefect, Hermione had already agreed and had experience tutoring students.

"Of course, I would be happy to help, however I am not sure why this seems so weighted a request though," Hermione admitted.

Dumbledore offered a small smile before replying, "The favor is not in the task, Miss Granger, but in the pupil I am asking you to work with."

Hermione considered his words before one person came to mind.

"Malfoy?" She asked in surprise.

Tonks chuckled and Dumbledore looked at her out of the corner of his eye before focusing back on Hermione, "Yes, Mr. Malfoy is in need of your skills."

"I-how is that? We are always competing for top grades," Hermione said, furrowing her brow in confusion.

"He is attempting to complete the coursework and test out of 5th year Ancient Runes and Muggle Studies. He needs a miracle, only you can deliver," Professor Dumbledore said.

"There is only one month until we leave for school," Hermione said, doing the timing in her head. She would need to dedicate her time around the clock.

"I understand it's asking a great deal of you, Miss Granger," Dumbledore said, "But I wouldn't ask if the need wasn't dire."

Hermione sighed and thought through what this would entail. Working with a person that not only hated her but represented everything wrong with the wizarding world. Not to mention, she would need to completely disrupt the timeline she had to prepare for when the time came for Harry to…do whatever it was he was going to do.

"It has to be me?" Hermione asked warily, "Professor, I appreciate what you are telling me, however, I am very invested in helping Harry prepare in every way I can."

Dumbledore nodded and said, "I understand completely. And I will do everything in my power to assist you and Harry as well. Mr. Malfoy…"

Dumbledore trailed off and he looked to Tonks, "You know, Nymphadora, I could use a cup of tea after all. Would you mind making us some as we discuss this further?"

Tonks looked between Hermione and Dumbledore before she took her leave and left the room.

"Miss Granger," he began in a soft voice, leaning towards Hermione, "Mr. Malfoy is at a crossroads and I would like to make sure he chooses the path of least harm to everyone. It could make all the difference in this war against Tom Riddle."

Hermione studied him, swallowing against a lump in her throat.

"And yes, for reasons I can't explain, it has to be you," Dumbledore said, a mysterious look on his face that drove Hermione to want to shake him for answers.

"Very well, Professor," Hermione finally relented.

Dumbledore smiled as Tonks entered the living room, levitating a tray with tea and cakes.

"I hope your parents don't mind," Tonks said, "Strawberry cream are my favorites."

Hermione smirked and helped herself to tea as she listened to the particulars of her tutoring Malfoy.

Draco

Draco was folding his laundry carefully as Ted had taught him, lining up the seams and folding until it was a perfect square and would fit neatly inside the drawers of his wardrobe. Of all his tasks, he didn't mind folding. The repetition and simplicity was somewhat meditative, allowing him to forget how messed up his life was.

"Draco!"

Draco rolled his eyes to the ceiling, knowing his aunt knew better about acceptable noise levels, but flagrantly dismissing them.

"Your tutor is here!"

Draco sighed, placing his gray cashmere sweater on the pile of folded laundry.

The freaking tutor…

Draco stood from his bed and walked down the hallway. Since arriving a couple of weeks ago, Draco had been surprised how settled he felt in this home despite his strong objections to do exactly that.

Draco walked down the stairs, his feet slightly dragging as he listened to chatter in the front room, letting it guide him.

As he rounded the corner in the main room, he paused when he realized he knew that voice talking to his aunt and cousin. One glance confirm what he already feared.

Granger.

Of all the witches and wizards in the world, it had to be her? This wouldn't do.

"Draco, there you are," his Aunt Andromeda said, catching him in the doorway, "This is your tutor, Dumbledore said she is the only one that can help us get through this successfully."

"Of course he did," Draco bit out as he came into the living room.

Hermione turned to him warily as if expecting him to attack.

Draco studied her and found she had changed over the summer. She had tanned and her body had lost the gawky awkwardness of her pre-teen self. Her hair fell in healthy, shiny waves instead of a ratty mess. And he had never seen her in anything so feminine before, but here she stood in a white sundress with bright flowers along the hem.

Despite her changes, he couldn't do this. He couldn't fake any enthusiasm for this.

"I was just about to tell your Aunt that you may not be receptive to me helping you," Hermione said in her annoyingly knowledgeable voice, before he could get his protest out.

"Draco?" His Aunt Andromeda asked, looking between him and Hermione in confusion.

"Andromeda, what Draco is struggling to-"

"I am not struggling Granger," Draco snapped.

There was moment of silence between the three women and Draco.

Hermione looked like he had just proved her point and Nymphadora and Andromeda looked at him as if he was possessed.

"There is a history here that would prevent me from accomplishing what I need to," Draco said, admittedly, somewhat cryptically.

Hermione turned to Andromeda and Tonks and said, "I am muggleborn."

As if that explained everything. Draco rolled his eyes and Andromeda looked to him in anger.

"That's the issue here?" Andromeda asked in exasperation.

"She also broke my nose in third," Draco said weakly.

Hermione put a hand on her hip and said, "I don't deny it and would do it again."

Tonks barked out a laugh before covering her mouth to quell it. Andromeda looked angry and unamused.

"Hermione," Andromeda said in a firm tone, placing her hand on Hermione's shoulder, "I am grateful that you are willing to help Draco, despite your past dealings with him that were unpleasant. He will accept any help from you that you are willing to provide and without any further insult or injury. Otherwise, he will not only not pass these courses, but he will not fulfill the requirements of the courts to return to his home."

Draco ground his teeth until he was sure they would be dust, biting back his protest. He needed to get back to his mother. He had only seen her once since being here and she hadn't seemed well.

"Draco," Hermione said tentatively, "I know you aren't happy about this, neither am I, but I can put it aside to get you caught up. Can you?"

Draco studied her and wanted…he didn't even know. He wanted to scream and rage at her, hex her, but….there was also a desire to let her help him. He needed her to get what he wanted and she was being the bigger person to help him.

"Fine," he bit out.

There was another silence that fell over the room and Andromeda looked at Draco pointedly.

Hermione also looked at him expectedly and his cousin looked like she was biting back a laugh again.

"Thanks," he finally said.

Hermione nodded and said, "Okay, let's get started."

Thanks for reading and enjoy your Sunday :)