The Price Of Knowledge

The Price of Knowledge



Chapter Sixteen


I tried desperately to ignore Harry for the next several days. I refused to concede. He was wrong, I was right. I was always right. Sometimes, he didn’t know it right away, but eventually he learned the error of his disbelief. I only spoke up when I knew what I was talking about: which was usually all the time. It helped to be so well read.

Only this wasn’t something you could learn in a book, this was reality rearing its foul face and breathing on you. Too close for comfort.

Harry was shooting dirty glances my way, but had said nothing to any of our fellow Gryffindors. I knew the others would not be so quiet in their displeasure. That meant he expected me to end it and make amends. He had better learn to deal with his disappointment because he was still wrong.

Harry didn’t know what he was talking about.

No matter how many times I repeated that notion to myself, it didn’t quite offer the reassurance I hoped. I thought it would gain strength, but my confidence was waning. Maybe I was a little over my head.

I had the contract to help me anyway. Draco was bound by it, as was I, until it was finished. Luckily, I was too vague in my item descriptors – otherwise when Harry approached me I would have been on the receiving end of a very nasty hex.

I didn’t extend the rule to cover acts against either person though – otherwise I wouldn’t have turned his hands blue and given him that detention ten days ago. So I was still in a vulnerable position. Slytherins were always pulling pranks on Gryffindors…and vise versa.

But Draco wouldn’t be so childish, would he? Besides, NEWTs were fast approaching. No one had time for such nonsense! We were young adults, bound for the real world. Such frivolity would only take us backwards, not forwards.

But I was about to be made a fool.

Neville and I were on our way to the Herbology greenhouses when we ran into, quite literally, Pansy Parkinson and Daphne Greengrass.

“Wotcher, lowly Mudblood!” Pansy cried, pushing on my shoulder.

I fell back a step, but wasn’t hurt. I was actually startled at the anger in her tone –I quickly dismissed it. Being a closeted lesbian was probably very taxing on the nerves. I was about to let it go when Neville spoke, and I wish he hadn’t: “You don’t need to push. It was an accident.” His tone was soft, somewhat shaky. Neville had never been the most comfortable expressing himself, but over the years I had known him, he had become more adamant about speaking up.

Of course, I wish he hadn’t. Pansy was quite obviously in a snit and would be extra cruel because she would have to demonstrate her power to Daphne. Daphne could be sweet when alone – but she would be cold and detached when the other Slytherin girls were around. She sought approval, not caring if it was for being truly good or being truly bad, and I felt sorry for her.

Although at that moment, my sympathy was short lived.

“I’m not surprised you practically knocked us over. Clumsy Longbottom and Mudblood Granger – did you even look up from your book to see where you were going?”

“Really!” Daphne agreed in tone but her facial expression didn’t coincide.

I was really tired of this bookworm label. So I read…a lot. Big deal. More students should follow suit. I enjoyed learning! Big deal. The world was an astounding mystery begging to be explored. Life’s possibilities were only limited by our vision. The narrow-minded pair didn’t deserve a retort. I grabbed Neville’s wrist and started to move away.

“Look at the cute couple!” Pansy teased. “Granger’s off to study Longbottom’s cock. Or maybe it’s the other way around!”

I wanted to ignore her. I really did. But one hex… would be so satisfying…

“Squib probably couldn’t keep it up under Granger’s command. She’d have to be the one pegging. We both know Gryffindorks are known for their ‘courage.’ How often does she take you, Longggggbottom?”

This was just absurd. “Ten points from Slytherin for provoking a fight,” I ended up stating firmly. I held onto Neville’s wrist. “Grow up, Pansy.”

Pansy’s eyes darkened. “Maybe I could take lessons from you, Muddy. You seem to be getting around lately.”

I think my jaw dropped. “What did you just say?”

Pansy smiled sweetly, although her words were laced with venom. “You heard me perfectly well. Did you find a Glamour or something stiffer to inspire this new look, Mudblood?” She did a mock pout and thrust out her chest. “I suppose we now know why you’re called the ‘Head’ girl.”

My wand went out in a flash. I didn’t intend on doing it, but I wasn’t thinking, I was just reacting. Suddenly, my wand went flying by a well-aimed “Expelliarmus!”

I turned to face down the culprit who had intervened – Draco?

Draco put his wand away and waved his finger. “That’s not very nice, now is it? What if a professor came by and saw the Head girl hexing another student?”

Pansy’s eyebrow raised and her arms were folded under her breasts. She was still angry with Draco; her body language said that and more. “I could have handled it, Draco.”

Draco leaned in and whispered something into her ear. I strained to hear, but couldn’t. Pansy started smiling. it was evil, through and through.

Pansy reached over and picked up my wand. “Oh, Professor!”

My jaw didn’t need to drop; it was still down from the last time. I turned around and felt my blood run cold. Right behind me stood Professor Snape, his pallid face unsympathetic and unrelenting.

“Here you are, Professor.” Pansy handed him my wand and batted her eyelashes a few times. “She was going to hex me! Draco-honey stopped her, though. I could have been badly hurt! We both know she’s so good at DADA, I could have been sent to the Infirmary. That’s not what a Head girl should be doing, is it?”

Pansy was a horrible actress. The sickly sweet and demure act was stomach churning. Professor Snape was a highly intelligent man, not to mention a gifted Legilimen. He would have seen through this, right?

“It is very unbecoming behavior for a student representative.” Apparently House loyalties ran deep. “Come with me, Miss Granger.”

I mentally screamed at him, Pansy, Daphne, Neville and especially Draco. What a prat! He knew Professor Snape was right there, he knew this would happen! I was set up! Bloody hell! Bugger! Fuck!

Pansy smirked and waved. Neville offered a sympathetic look. Draco’s face was expressionless. I followed Professor Snape inside with a heavy heart.


The time I should have been in Herbology was spent with Professor McGonagall. She had a free period, and upon hearing Professor Snape’s rather biased recollection of events, sat down to what was arguably the most embarrassing and upsetting lecture I had ever heard.

“Head students do not use their wands against any other student! Head students must be the example at all times, not just when they see fit. You were chosen for many reasons, your behavior being one. I am truly appalled and disquieted by this news, as well as the fact you’ve been falling behind in your studies. What is this about failing to hand in assignments, Miss Granger?”

The lecture soon became an hour long interrogation into my motives as of late, along with an essay on proper conduct, as well as another essay on wasting instructors’ free time.

“Well, Miss Granger? Do you have anything to say for yourself?” Professor McGonagall asked upon her conclusion.

I chose to shut my mouth. I dropped my head and shook it no.

“Very well. One hundred points from Gryffindor and a week’s detention.” I winced as I heard the words, but the punishment for hexing another student would have been far worse.

“I’m only pleased that Mr. Malfoy had enough sense to get Professor Snape. You would do well to follow his example.” Professor McGonagall rose from her desk and flicked her wand at the door. “I will inform Professor Sprout of your reason for not attending her class. You will need to get any assignments or homework from your classmates. You are dismissed, Miss Granger.”

I stood up rather awkwardly. “I’m sorry, Professor McGonagall. I will try harder.”

Her stern features softened for a moment, and she reached out one hand and placed it on mine. “I am really surprised in you, Miss Granger.”

“Me too,” I agreed, and meant it.

I left Professor McGonagall’s office feeling foolish, disheartened and angry. I was angry with myself, with Pansy, and especially with Draco. This was his entire fault!

I was planning what I would say to him the next time we were together when it was he who found me. Class was still in session – he must have been playing hooky. He was waiting for me outside the Ancient Runes classroom, leaning against the cool stone with his arms folded across his broad chest. He looked smug. I wanted to punch him in the face – much as I did years before. Just one blow…it would be so satisfying….

“So McGonagall really laid into you, didn’t she?”

“This is all your fault!” Not very eloquent, not exactly what I was hoping for, but effective. I was very glad the halls were empty.

“Moi? I don’t know what you are talking about. You’re the one who was caught hexing another student. You’re the one who’s been late handing in assignments. I really don’t see how any of this is my fault.”

“You…Slytherin!” I really wasn’t on my game today. “You are the one who involved Professor Snape…you rat!”

“You like calling me names, don’t you?” He stepped forward, and in a flash my wand was out again. In as quick a motion, he captured my wrist and was behind me, holding onto it. His fingers were pressing into the bruise Harry had created, and I cringed in pain. I struggled, although I knew it was pointless. I was at the disadvantage with my wand behind me, and his strength surpassed mine. “Ferret, snake, rat – what am I really?”

“Despicable!” I cried.

He chuckled, low and right by my ear. I felt the vibrations down my neck. “I am all of those things and none of them. And don’t you forget it.”

Did he think I had forgotten our past together? That’s why I drafted the contract. I didn’t trust him, and while our past few weeks had been pleasurable…I wasn’t so deluded to believe something had really changed between us. He was still the slimy Slytherin and I would always be the foolhardy Gryffindor. We stood divided by everything-- status, name, House…

If I knew all of this, then why was I so disappointed? Did I really expect shagging would have improved our public relations? Harry’s words kept ringing in my ears, ringing so loudly my mind was starting to throb…

‘He is the same arrogant, malicious git who makes our lives hell.’

I was so confused by everything. I didn’t like the mixed messages. “Why did you do it?”

Draco released his taut hold on my wrist, but didn’t release me. His hands were on my hips, moving in circles, but not moving any further. I made no move to touch him, although his hands were trying to arouse a reaction in me. I refused to concede and be won by his talented palms. “Because I haven’t done anything to your House in a while. People were starting to think I had gone soft.” His erection was quite the opposite, pressing into my bum.

‘He’s a snake, and he is just using you, playing on your naïveté for his own purposes. He has blinded you with his empty promises and terrible lies.’

“So you were saving face then.” My eyes narrowed. “Then what did you whisper to Pansy?”

“I told her that it wasn’t me who was lacking House loyalties, then motioned to Snape.” Draco bit my earlobe, licked the gentle flesh behind it. I trembled ever so slightly. “You should have been paying closer attention. He was walking by when you drew your wand. So watch who you call a rat.” His pelvis jerked into me, but I tried not to illicit a reaction.

Okay, so that was plausible. Maybe he was telling the truth.

“I think we both know I’m not her favorite person. Especially seeing how her quote, unquote girlfriend wants to fuck me more than she wants to fuck Pansy.”

“Has she approached you?”

“I told you on the roof I wasn’t fucking anyone else.” His fingers dug into my thigh. “Are you still on that?”

“How do I know I can trust you?”

He groaned, rather loudly. “Bloody hell. It’s been almost a month. Have I done anything to you? And don’t count today. You did it to yourself. Just think, Granger, if it hadn’t been for me, you would have hexed another student.”

I hadn’t thought of it like that. I would be damned if I said it aloud.

‘He may not have shown his true colors yet, but he will.’

“You really don’t know what to think, do you? Well I’ll ask this…where did you get this nasty bruise?” He jerked my arm forward, so that there was the black and blue evidence right before our faces. I didn’t think he had noticed it, but yet again, Draco Malfoy had proven me wrong.

“It was an accident.”

“You mean Potter grabbing your wrist was an accident?”

I turned sharply. “How did you know-”

He tapped one of the diamond studs. “I heard everything, I was just waiting for you to admit it. What is it with Gryffindors perving? Your common room seriously needs some dirty magazines or something. Anything to keep you Gryffindorks from playing voyeur all the bloody time.” He shrugged. “Maybe it’s me. Maybe I should be selling Pensieves.”

I gave him an incredulous look. “You will not,” I scoffed, although I didn’t put it past him.

“Well it was an idea,” Draco said lightly before his tone lowered and became more serious. “Potter has some interesting ideas on what is good and what is bad. I’ll never apologize for being who I am, but I definitely don’t bother changing others to suit it. You’ll do well to remember who gave you this little bracelet to match your earrings.”

“They both had the same effect, didn’t they?” I inquired. “Weren’t they both meant to manipulate me?”

Draco snorted. “If you call getting into your knickers trying to manipulate you.”

He reached in as if he was about to kiss me when the clock struck the hour and the classroom doors opened, pouring out a flood of students. I moved against the wall to sidestep them, and when I turned back…Draco was gone.

‘The pieces will fall, and you will realize who your real friends are when no one helps you pick them up. Gryffindors are brave, honest, and loyal. You would do well to remember the last part.’

I had a lot to think about.


Tbc…