Help Me Draco

Hermione was now looking at every man at Hogwarts. She limited the search to the seventh years, since they would be the ones with the maturity to be able to swear secrecy. Younger ones would not be able to keep themselves from bragging.



She had asked Ron not to say anything to anybody, not even Pansy and he agreed. She was assured he would keep quiet. She looked closer at the Slytherins, thinking she would strangle Draco if he had gone to Crabbe or Goyle.



Would he have chosen a close friend of his or hers? Would he have gone to a friends but not a close one? Would he have gone to a Slytherin at all? Draco knew how to keep a secret, that much was evident. Apparently the person he had chosen knew how to keep a secret as well, because she could detect nothing unusual from anyone.



She told Draco about her anxiety as they walked along the corridor. “Does it really matter to you that much?” He asked with a smile.



“Yes and no.” She said. “I don’t think I really want to know, but the fact that I cant figure it out is mind boggling.”



Draco laughed. “So you are more upset that you cant solve the puzzle.”



“Yes, I am completely confused.” She said.



“Zat is unusual for you.” Hermione spun around to see who spoke.



“Viktor!” She jumped up and hugged him. The Bulgarian hugged her back and lifted her off the ground briefly.



Draco saw murder in his owns and fought to hold himself in check rather then prying Hermione out of his arms. He held her too long in Draco’s mind and he counted over and over again until she was set back on her feet.



“What are you doing here?” She asked.



“Speaking vis Dumbledore. I ‘ave been made ‘ead of the school quidditch coordination, and was discussing ze tournament from a few years ago.” He explained.



“That’s great.” She looked back at Draco and smiled. “I’m sure you remember Draco Malfoy from the visit.”



“Yes, a pleazure.” He offered a hand. Draco shook it with politeness and slipped an arm around Hermione, closing his fingers around her shoulder.



“I trust you had a pleasant journey.” Draco said, holding firmly to Hermione.



“Yes, a long one, but Dumbledore ‘as offered me a guest room until we ‘ave finished out talks.” He said. Draco’s temper rose but he held it in check.



“Viktor Krum?” The Bulgarian turned and smiled, offering a hand.



“Mr. Potter. A pleazure.” He greeted Ginny as well, then Ron and Pansy, who had been flying with them. Ron exchanged a look with Draco and saw the frustration. He knew Draco was coming to care for Hermione and having Viktor around wasn’t going to help. If he admitted to Hermione how he felt it could make things easier or harder. She could return his feelings and they could have something wonderful, or she could say that she wasn’t ready for that type of seriousness and stop seeing him.



Draco knew Ron understood how he felt. He had his own issues with Krum during fourth year when he took his own fancy to Hermione. Maybe Ron would know more about how Hermione felt about him.



As they walked to the great hall, Draco kept his eyes on Krum. His anxiety took root again when Krum walked with Harry toward the Gryffindor table. “Hermione, why don’t you come and eat with me tonight?” He asked.



“I told Ginny and Luna that I would give them notes for their potions books during dinner.” She said. She smiled when she saw his face fall slightly. “Why don’t you come and sit with us then.”



He brightened his smile and followed her, walking just a bit slower so he could keep an eye on Krum. He placed himself on Hermione’s other side as she sat with Luna and Ginny. Placing himself between her and Krum didn’t go unnoticed by Ron. He sat opposite them and Draco was able to talk with him easily while Hermione was busy with the younger girls. Draco took advantage of Harry distracting Krum to speak to Ron.



“Was she taken with him?” He asked quietly.



“Not as much as he with her.” Ron told him. “She wrote all the time, but he was the one who invited her places.”



“Really?” He asked.



“Yes, his families home and vacations spot from what I know. He was very interested but I didn’t see anything more then friendship.” Ron said honestly.



“Do you think he still wants something?” Draco asked, thankful that the hall was loud and boisterous.



“I don’t know.” Ron admitted. “He may be. If he tries to get her alone that would indicate something I suppose.”



Draco sighed and nodded. “If you hear anything……..”



“You’ll be the first to know.” He said. They went on about the next house match up as dinner went on. Draco walked her slowly back to her house entrance keeping an arm around her the whole time. Before releasing her, he took her in tight hug and snogged her thoroughly.



When he let her go, she licked her lips, but still didn’t release him. “What was that for?” She asked with a smile.



“Do I need a reason to kiss you?” He asked. He listened to her giggle then watched as she vanished behind the portrait.



He walked back to his own house slowly. He was shocked that he was feeling this way. Hermione was wonderful to be with but why this new possessive feeling? Even the kiss tonight had been more then he admitted. He was marking his territory and he was doing it because he saw Krum speaking with Dumbledore a few levels away. He wanted Krum to know that Hermione was seeing him.



Hopefully Ron would hear anything that would cause worry. He got into bed and was restless from the beginning. Hermione paying that Bulgarian any attention made his blood boil. After what they had been through, he hoped she wouldn’t just leave him, for a cheap accent.



He tossed and turned all night, afraid but not able to figure out why. He felt something for Hermione but he was unsure of how strong it was. Jealousy, when it came to woman was something he wasn’t accustomed to. What was he going to do if she decided she wanted Viktor. Now that she knew the passion that she was capable of, would she want to try and find it with Krum.



Draco got little to no sleep that night. In the morning he was tired and stressed. Her used a spell to keep from looking like death warmed over. He sought out Hermione at breakfast and panic set in. Krum was sitting next to her and carrying on a conversation. Over the past few months Hermione had gotten into the habit of looking for him at breakfast to give him a smile. He had been sitting there for over fifteen minutes and she hadn’t looked up at him.



He felt like hurling his plate through the window. He felt a self pity that he hated. He wanted her to look at him. He wanted her to see how it upset him to be ignored and he wanted her to feel guilty.



He was puzzled over his own reaction. Why did he want her to feel hurt? Why was he feeling hurt? Did she mean that much to him that he was agonizing with himself? He looked up and saw her looking at him. She was wearing a smile but it faded to confusion when she saw his expression.



She was confused? She ignored him, carried on with Krum like he didn’t exist and she was confused? Krum held out a plate for her, offering something, and Draco took advantage of her distraction. He shouldered his bag and got up rushing out of the hall. The last look she had of him was his robes flying behind him.



He avoided her until their first class then didn’t bother looking at her. His feelings were hurt, he could admit that now. He heard her calling him after class but he rushed away. He ducked into a deserted lavatory that was rarely used and locked himself in a stall. When the only other occupant had left, Draco gave in. He buried his hands in his face and cried.