Tease

Painful Duties

Hermione walked back to the Heads common room, humming softly. She had actually been glad to see Draco glaring daggers at her. It was much more comforting than that mysterious smirk. It was like a calm before the storm, hiding the danger yet to be unfolded.

"Hermione!"

She turned to see a 5th year prefect running toward her.

"Oh hello"

"Here's a letter for you from Dumbledore"

"Thanks"

Hermione unfurled the parchment.

Ms. Granger and Mr. Malfoy,

As Head Boy and Head Girl you will be in charge of the end of the year activities for the 7th Year. The event of the most pressing importance and in need of the most planning is the Graduation Ball. Please see to it that all the necessary planning is completed. Some of the things to remember to include are: decorations, seating arrangement, music, speakers, and the annual presentation. Send a general outline of the plans to my office.

Prof. Dumbledore

A graduation ball! Hermione smiled excitedly. She loved planning events out and was thrilled at the opportunity. At the Yule Ball in 4th year, she had noted several items that needed to be changed.

She eagerly took out her planner and turned to a blank page.

Let's see decorations - Diagon Alley

Presentation - ask Prof. Flitwick for charmed pensieve

Music - Yealey Spinell's Musical Melodies

Talk to Draco about...wait WHAT!

Oh no...

Draco is Head Boy, meaning I have to work with him.

In Potions, her piece of wormwood had fallen onto the floor. Draco had picked it up and she had looked surprised and was about to thank him. Until he snapped it in half and disintegrated it into a fine powder.

Why me?

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"Dr-Malfoy"

He quirked an eyebrow at her and then examined his nails.

"Malfoy!" Hermione said irritated.

He yawned and looked away, bored.

"Dumbledore told us to plan the ball!"

"Malfoy! Malfoy! MALFOY ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME?"

He tilted his head a little but then shook his head as if he thought he had heard a sound but realized it was a figment of his imagination.

"Fine"

She smoothed the back of her skirt and sat right onto his lap.

"What are you doing?" he asked incredulously.

"Ok so let's discuss the ball. We can have a-"

"I'm not discussing anything unless you get off me," he glared at her, shifting around.

"Why? You're too weak to do it yourself?" she taunted.

"N-"

"I'm sure Blaise would have been able to do it"

He narrowed his eyes so sharply, she sucked in her breath.

"Get the fuck off! Pansy's coming"

Hermione frowned. The thought made her want to blanch but she tried schooling her features into indifference.

"I'm sure she'll enjoy the view"

"No she w-"

"Especially if you take your shirt off"

Hermione almost clapped her hand over her mouth, surprising herself with those words. But she tried passing it off as a taunt.

He just gazed at her, his jaw slightly open, but a bemused expression on his face. He keenly observed her sly smile, but it was faltering at the ends.

"Ok"

"Huh?"

Draco tugged the hem of his crisp button down shirt and brought it over his head. Hermione panicked at the sight of his torso.

Think! Page 223 - Hogwarts a History; the placement of the Divination Room is due to the suspicions that...

She tried getting off Draco but he held his grip on her arm. His bare chest was almost touching hers.

"Do I look good?"

"I-"

"I'm not too built?"

"Uh-"

"Or too rough?"

"Bu-"

He touched her with a slightly callused hand and she flinched.

"Do you think she'll like it?"

"Wha-?" Hermione asked, confused.

"You said Pansy would like the view. Will she?" he smirked.

Hermione glared at his smug face. If he had a little replay of the punch in 3rd Year, he'd learn to shut his narcissitic mouth.

She smiled sweetly. "Hmm - sure...if you exercised a bit more and got a little tan and maybe stayed off those sweets-"

Draco abruptly got up and Hermione shrieked, catching herself before she fell to the floor.

"Stupid mudblood twit," he muttered loudly.

Hermione gaped at him. He sneered at her.

He turned only to fall over the rug.

Hermione burst out laughing, clutching the wand with which she hexed him.

"Idiotic pureblood dunderhead," she called before disappearing into her room to calm down her laughter.

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Next: Planning a ball can be a pain, especially when you have a revenge seeking Malfoy as a partner.