Circle of Love

“The Wolfsbane potion was created only recently by Damocles Belby. It helps control the dangerous dementia that make a werewolf harmful to society,” Snape said as he spent the next few minutes thoroughly explaining the potion and its ingredients as he wrote the steps on a chalk board.

“Aconite is also called wolfsbane or monkshood. It is very deadly, so careful handling procedures will be observed.” Snape let his eyes wander from one student to the next, letting his words sink ing. He then handed them each a pair of dragonskin gloves. “These will protect you. Wear them at all times while preparing the potions I will teach you here.” Severus slowly pulled his own gloves on as he watched them put on theirs.

“The steps are written on the board in front of you, and I have set out on your tables all the ingredients needed.” Snape took his place in front of his own table. “Please follow my moves exactly.” Snape began the long process as he kept a careful eye on the young wizards and witches in front of him. Harry sat close to Ginny as he crushed and added the aconite. Draco stirred his own potion while Hermione, who he was teamed up with, tapped her wand at another ingredient making it crumble to the powder needed. “So far so good.” He complimented them. Harry looked up at him in amazement. His jerky head movement made him forget about the Armadillo bile and an extra drop accidentally fell into his cauldron.

“No Potter, start over.” Snape sighed as he waved his wand and removed the elements in Harry and Ginny's cauldron. Draco snickered softly and Hermione kicked him lightly under the table, giving him a look of warning.

“You have a problem, Malfoy?” Harry glared at Draco, his fist clenching beneath the table.

“Nah, Potter. Just watching you blunder through.” Draco sneered, ignoring another kick from Hermione.

“Don't even know why you are here, Malfoy. You'll probably tell your master everything that goes on!” Harry stood up to stare down at Draco. “It's all a lie. He's spying for Voldemort as he laughs behind our backs.”

“Harry!” Hermione whispered as Ginny pulled on his arm to sit down. Draco stood up himself and glared back at Harry, heedless of Snape's or the girls' presence.

“Same old argument, Potter! What would you like me to do? Bow down at your feet and worship you, the Chosen One, for you to believe me?” Draco made a mock bow before plowing is head into Harry's stomach, pushing him out of the way as he stormed out of the makeshift classroom.

“Petrificus Totalus!” Snape shouted, pointing his wand at Harry when the latter made to follow the Draco. “Enough, Potter. You're never going to learn. Allies don't have to be friends, and you don't have to like us to work with us. Class over for now.” Snape said as he left Harry to land with a thud on the floor. Ginny gasped, trying in vain to catch his fall.

Hermione slipped out of the room while Ginny sat down by Harry's still form on the floor. She was angry at both of them for their pigheadedness. She felt stuck between them both, her best mate and the wizard who saved her life. Draco had changed from the prat in school. Sure, he was still irritating but he had grown up and she honestly believed his changes were towards the good.

“Draco?” She said as she softly knocked on his door. Where else would he have gone? She wondered as she turned away after a few minutes and walked towards her own room. Her footfalls sounded quietly though the corridor. She had just reached her own door when Draco’s opened abruptly.

“What do you want?” Draco sneered at her, his anger still evident as he folded his arms across his chest and tapped his foot lightly on the floor as he leaned against the door frame.

“Just wanted to say sorry-”

“Why? Sainted Potter sending you on errands now? I don't even know why I even bother.” Draco said bitterly, retreating back into his room. Hermione walked back over and caught the door before it shut, following him inside and laying a hand on his shoulder.

“Harry-” She started but stopped as he shrugged her hand off and turned to face her. “Draco, you haven't been the nicest to anyone of us the past.”

“I'm not here to be nice. I'm here to avenge my mother.” Draco whispered harshly. “I also happen to believe what the Dark Lord wants is wrong. I don't like Potter, I don't like having to be in the same space as him. But I have little choice now, do I? I don't like--”

“Me?” Hermione tentatively extended her arm and touched his cheek as she let go of the door and it closed behind her with a click. Momentarily, Draco seemed shocked by her gesture, but didn’t pull away and continued quietly.

“I don't like being alone! My mum's dead, my father hates me.... Snape has even been ordered to dispose of me.” Draco's gray eyes bore into hers as he spoke. “You? You I have begun to like.” He lifted his own hand and gently caressed her cheek with the back of it, finally pushing a lose strand of hair behind her ear. “I'm confused, Hermione. That kiss the other night was amazing. I feel drawn to you, even though we've hated each other since the first day we met. I deceived you about your parents' death, but you forgave me. You forgave us. I wasn't raised that way. It was get even or failure.”

“I'm still not happy about that, but I can look at where Professor Snape is coming from on it. My mourning a lie will keep them safe, so be it. Their faked deaths gave the Order cause to move those others in danger without endangering Professor Snape, then so be it.” Hermione tried to keep the conversation flowing as her heart began to race and her mind began to stray from her train of thought. She closed her eyes when his forehead touched hers.

“Where do we go from here?” Draco murmured, leaning in and gently pressing his lips to hers, slowly kissing her, giving her a chance to pull away.

“Forward.” Hermione answered, running her fingers through his hair and boldly pulling him closer, pressing her body to his. He wrapped his arms around her as their tongues met and lightly danced. Draco slowly pulled away and continued with rained soft kisses on her face before resting his head on her shoulder and sighing.

“Just let me hold you for a moment.” He said burying his face in her bushy brown locks, breathing deeply as he felt her heartbeats, erratic as his own. Draco guided Hermione to the bed and sat down, leaving her standing over him. He let his hands caress her sides, slowly moving them up and down her body. Hermine leaned forward and he pulled her into him as their lips met again.

He leaned back, drawing her with him, laying down on the bed, kissing and caressing. After a while, they snuggled close, their arms wrapped around each other, their legs tangled together. Hermione placed her head on his chest, listening to the thump of his heart and the sound of his breathing beneath her ear. Her fingers drew a pattern on his arm while his fingers played in her hair.

“I like you also, Draco.” She mumbled into the cords of his jumper, her eyes closed as she felt him kiss the top of her head.

“Forward,” Draco whispered as he felt her relax. Her breathing slowed and soon she fell asleep in his arms. He let his head fall back on his pillows as he too gave in to slumber, feeling less alone then he had in months.


****

“Professor! You have to do something!” Harry exclaimed as he entered the sitting room, Ginny following behind.

“What is it now, Harry?” Remus Lupin sighed heavily and pinched the bridge of his nose before looking at the red-faced boy standing before him.

“Malfoy and Snape!” Harry blurted out. “Malfoy attacked me and when I went to defend myself, Snape bound me magically. It’s obvious that they both still work for Voldemort.”

“Let it go, Harry. I trust them both just as Professor Dumbledore did.” Remus said firmly.

“Trust? Look what trust got him!” Harry shouted as he pointed to the portrait of his former headmaster, who looked back at him pain and disappointment showing even in his painted eyes.

“Harry Potter!” Albus interjected finally. “You need to let go of your hatreds, it is consuming you and blinding you.”

“Professor!” Harry said stepping closer to the painting. Remus and Ginny watched from behind him. “I know you can only advise us with your knowledge you had prior to your death, but how can you say I should trust your murderers?”

“Simply put, Harry, Snape's Vow with Draco's mother prevented him from doing little else if the fates brought the circumstances to light. It was not desire to do it, and I had to get him to Oath with me to follow through if he had to. I didn't want Draco Malfoy's soul stained with my blood.”

“But you all want me to stain mine with Voldemort's? How bloody ironic.” Harry spat out and slumped down in a chair. Ginny sat down on the arm of the chair and gently gathered him in her arms.

“Harry, when the time comes you won't be alone. You will be surrounded by friends who love you, and they will help you. That love will clear away any stain that falls upon you. You have to learn how to accept that love and their help to succeed without falling yourself. The time grows short, Harry. Learn.” Albus said before leaving his portrait for another.

“Listen to Professor Dumbledore's words, Harry. We'll all be there with you, supporting you all the way.” Remus said tiredly.

Harry nodded, returning Ginny’s hug. “I won't like those two, but for now I'll trust them.”

“You can both take out any aggression in the lessons Tonks and Shacklebolt will be teaching later, constructively.” Remus added. “Go and eat lunch, get ready for them. They should be here soon.” Remus picked up his book again, hoping against hope that the matter was settled once and for all.

“Wonder where Hermione is?” Ginny murmured to Harry as they left the sitting room.