Dancing With Dragons

Chapter 20: Giving Malfoy Five Days


“Well I told you it was a long story.”
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The trio snuck out of the hospital wing but first they took a second to check on Neville. She couldn’t help but tear up at the sight of what was left of bruises that dotted his face. She kissed him softly on the cheek. He stirred slightly in his sleep; draught induced coma. She wanted to tell him how sorry she was but she chocked on the sentiment. It wouldn’t have been the whole truth. If the sword got to Harry, which seemed like a good possibility now, wouldn’t she do it again? Yes. Did that make her a horrible person? Probably.

As soon as they were far enough away from the hospital wing Hermione stopped. “The prefect meeting is in forty-five minutes, which, by my calculation, gives you just enough time to tell a long story.” Ginny sighed, but went right into it.

She didn’t spare a detail and it was fine because now that the journal was burned it didn’t matter. Hermione clasped her hands over her mouth and hissed at the right moments and Ginny had to constantly tell her to shut up and let her finish.

After the story ended Seamus talked first, “What the bloody hell were you thinking Mione? Telling Malfoy about the journal most certainly could have gotten Harry and Ron killed. I still don’t understand how it didn’t. He is up to something. I know it. I mean if you had just told one of us sooner this all could have been avoided.”

“Well maybe you’re right Seamus, but I didn’t plan on getting caught and than almost dying. Maybe it was being half dead that made me trust Malfoy for a moment. Maybe it was because I thought he was my last hope.” She felt a small pain go through her side and realized the pain had been so bad she was remembering how it felt. She had that happen once before when they had all dueled at the Ministry. She didn’t like thinking about that night.

“I am sorry Hermione, really I am, but don’t put that on me. That’s not fair.”

“Oh stop it, both of you. I don’t care why Malfoy did it he just did and now we all owe him. Which I fucking don’t like so just can it both of you.” Ginny was fuming and at times like this, with her flushed cheeks and red hair, Ginny looked ablaze. “He said he owed you Hermione. Must have owed you big. What did you do for him?”

Hermione voice stuck in her throat for a moment. Here was her golden opportunity to tell her friends what she had done. ‘Just purge the evil,’ she demanded herself. But in the end she couldn’t. She couldn’t look both her friends in the face and tell them she had slept, literally, with the enemy. She didn’t owe it to Seamus, not really, but she owed it to Ginny. Still she couldn’t bear tell them that, even now, a part of her trusted Malfoy. Trusted him because he had saved her more times than she could count now. She couldn’t say it when she knew that, in less than week, he would be a Deatheater. Malfoy would be dead to her than so why tell? But really she was just a coward.

“He’s right, he owed me. I helped him get out of a jam with…Amycus. They don’t seem to like each other much. Well, neither of them like me much either, funny how that works.” She was rambling trying to think of a good lie.

Ginny looked pointedly at her. “It doesn’t sound very funny Hermione. You look like someone beat the shit out of you so I don’t think it very funny at all. Malfoy did this didn’t he? What did he owe you that he could beat the shit out of you to the point you almost died and then suddenly have an attack of the conscious, save your life, and than coming running to me with invaluable information concerning Harry.” Okay Ginny was pissed.

“He swore an oath that he owed me so it was sort of magically binding. You know you have to say the spell for it to mean life or death but every witch and wizard knows that if you say you owe someone and your really mean it you don’t want to break it.”

“Oh really, I wasn’t aware Hermione.”

“Can I tell you both that we don’t have time for this right now and that I am really confused,” Seamus huffed.

“Shut up Seamus,” Hermione and Ginny snapped. He went back to looking lost and angry.

“Listen I took the blame for something that would have gotten Malfoy in a lot of trouble. Hell, in a lot of danger so he told me, stupidly he has reminded me countless times, that he owes me big. And for both your information Malfoy didn’t do this to me.”

“Sure Mione.” But Ginny softened around the edges. “What’s going on here? Why would thee Draco Malfoy owe you something? I mean he does owe you for being such a hatful prat all these years but why would he tell you that he owes you?”

She needed to purge, even just a little. “I dunno Ginny. I guess for a moment I thought I saw good in him. He wasn’t being as arrogant and prejudice when it as just him and me. I thought I could save him. Even if it was just one person it seemed important. Can you understand that?”

“Yea,” Ginny sighed. Seamus and Hermione both gave the normally stubborn red head surprised eyes.

“What? I mean I don’t know if I would have kidnapped somebody to help them but, hey, he is still a Malfoy, and he is right I would never have trusted him. He owed you but some where in that twisted brain he realize he didn’t just owe you by not calling you mudblood…sorry for using the word.” Hermione just kept staring.

“Okay, let me try to explain better. If Malfoy were as evil, stupid, prejudice, and arrogant through and through as we thought his idea of owing you would have been, to say, not torturing or teasing you. He would have thought his mere presence was pay back enough. You know that kind of magic is somewhat personal. It’s not like the magic decides what is equal or how much pay back is enough. If the person really believes they have done enough, and not just because they wished they done enough, they have fulfilled their oath. Well in less the other person was around to tell them they no longer owed them anything. That’s neither here nor there.” Hermione could tell Ginny was getting frustrated, but she understood what the girl was saying. “So you see somewhere in that twisted brain there is enough left to do something decent. Even if it can’t ever truly be reclaimed. I mean for a second I could have swore he cared.”

Hermione hugged Ginny again. She was really lucky to have someone like this. Seamus seemed to think them crazy. “You’re are both nutters. Women always look too deep into things about feeling and deep inner thoughts. Malfoy probably just thought that he owed you big enough that his normal arrogant bullshit wouldn’t work. He is probably more then happy to be free of it. Hell, now he has information against us. I don’t like it.”

“I don’t either,” Hermione said.

“But I though you said Malfoy wasn’t as bad?” Ginny looked up confused.

“He wasn’t or Merlin I dunno maybe he isn’t, but he will be.”

“Well that isn’t cryptic.” Seamus rolled his eyes.

“He is going to take the Dark Mark this Sunday and I can’t stop him.”

“Why would you want to stop him?” Seamus scowled. “Take care of your own. You can’t save everyone.”

“First off just saving your own sounds an awful lot like pure blood propaganda. Secondly, it is one less Death eater to battle. And though I loath to say it Malfoy is a good duelist. Scary good.”

“I know I am Granger. So nice of you to finally admit it.” They all jumped and turned to the sound of Malfoy’s voice. Ginny and Seamus had their wands pointed but Hermione just stood there. Her breath was shallow but not because she was afraid.

He had obviously just come in from flying. His hair wasn’t perfectly in place and Hermione thought she liked it much better this way. His delicate white blonde hair was just this side of shaggy, and right now it was hiding the left side of his face, almost as if playing hide and go seek with his white milky skin. As if to say, ‘there are so many hidden things about me. Come and find them if you can.’ But then again she was probably just projecting. His white skin was slightly red and wind whipped. The gray of his eyes stood out more against the tired, but self-satisfying look that poured from him. Even the way he stood, which Hermione liked to call the confident male slouch, showed just how self-satisfied Malfoy was. That delicious smirk was slapped onto that Greek God face of his.

His lips looked lightly swollen and she took a mental note to ask why later, but right now they looked more kissable than she had ever noticed. How could she have missed how his lower lip was just slightly bigger so, even when smirking, he had that always pouting look. Not the kind the inspired thoughts of whining, but rather images of sex. The kind of pouting looks that male models, of the muggle world, always seemed to have. The size and shaped of the lips were almost girly, but those lips, set in his strong, masculine face, made him more handsome and not feminine; making the sharp angels of his face less hard.

His robes hung open and dirty. She realized than that it must be raining and Malfoy had only bothered to dry his hair and face but not the rest. Odd and some how vain. But it was a good show. His Qudditch pants and forest green t-shirt, turned almost black from the rain, clung to his body so that even if Hermione didn’t already known how well defined his was she would have. She looked away and blushed hard.

He caught her and laughed deeply. Ginny thought it was still from the comment. “She said you were good, but she never said you better than any of us. Plus, I wouldn’t put scary on the top of my list of compliments.” Hermione looked at Ginny with a slight smile. Ginny was always quick witted with come backs, especially when Hermione stood there like a dolt.

“Please Weasel. Next thing you’ll know Granger will be telling you how handsome I am and how well endowed I am. All true of course, but its nice when you have admirers.” He was talking to Ginny, but he was looking at her. She fought hard not to squirm. She had nothing to compare Malfoy’s size to, but she wouldn’t say he was small. And saying Malfoy wasn’t handsome was like saying the Wesley’s didn’t have red hair or that Voldemort was kind of a cool guy.

She should have wanted to kill Malfoy. Scream and yell and tell him to stuff it where the sun don’t shine, but she couldn’t. What she really wanted to do was pled him to reconsider. Give her a reason to not feel stupid for still trusting him, even a little one. Beg to let her help him and than maybe kiss those lips. She so didn’t think that last part. What was wrong with her?

Ginny smile widened. “Funny Malfoy it wasn’t you the girls were talking about. I actually heard Zabini has something on you. A few inches on you that is.” Malfoy turned scary red and Seamus burst out with laughter. Seamus’ laugh was deep and masculine. It was if men had this certain kind of laugh for sex, smut, and sexual insults and innuendoes that women could never quite match. Seamus laugh seemed to say that he knew how deep the cut was. More than maybe Ginny or Hermione would ever understand. But it was just a laugh. It didn’t make Hermione feel hot and damp.

“I wouldn’t laugh Finnigan no girls probably ever even seen yours. You’re just jealous.”

“Jealous of you Malfoy? Never. Just because I don’t hop on every slag that walks doesn’t mean no one seen mine. Don’t jump all over me cause your best mate got more down stairs than you.”

“Fuck you mixed-breed.” Seamus pointed his wand right at Malfoy's chest. “Ohh I am scared. Lets see, here is a little muggle talk for all you blood traitors and muggle borns. It’s not the size of the boat but the motion of the ocean. Oh and Finnigan next time you pointed your wand at me remember that even Granger admitted I am scary good.” He turned to Ginny but there was a different look in Malfoy’s eyes that Hermione didn’t understand and for a second it almost made her jealous. “And for me Weasel scary is number one on my list.”

He turned as if Seamus’ pointed wand were a mere joke. Seamus shook with rage and Hermione pulled his hand down. “Oy Mr. Motion of the Ocean where you going?” She heard the dark masculine laugh and she shivered.

“My huge boat and I are going to Prefects meeting Granger. If you want to watch my ass you can tag along. It’s the least I could do seeing as the poor unfortunately looking people you have to stare at all day.” Malfoy called over his shoulder and than disappeared around the corner.

“He is such an pushy, unbearable piece of shit.” But Hermione started after him.

“Where are you going?” Ginny pulled her arm.

“First, I told you I was going to that prefects meeting. Secondly, I want to know what more, if anything, Malfoy heard. Stupid to be talking like this in the halls. Listen we’ll meet in the dorms, lets say, two hours. I really need a bath. Then will go some where…more private.” Hermione jogged away to catch up with Malfoy, not waiting for a response. They would be there.
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She turned the corner and slammed into Pansy. “Watch where you’re going mudblood.”

“Nice to see you too Pansy.” Hermione didn’t have time for this. She wanted to catch up with Malfoy and say… say what? She didn’t have the faintest what she would say. ‘Thank you Malfoy for saving me and then telling Ginny my dying words and not blabbing them to Snape,’ seemed about right, but she was beyond pissed at him. She took a step around Pansy not really paying any attention to the girl.

“Oy mudblood are you listening to me?” Hermione stared at the girl in surprise.

“No, not really. I have to go.”

“Chasing after Malfoy again you slag? I know you want him mudblood, but he is too good for you. So stay the fuck away from him.”

Hermione laughed in her face. “Malfoy too good for me? Our definition of a good person is so different Pansy. Now if you don’t mind I have a meeting to go to.” Suddenly Pansy grabbed Hermione’s arm. She started squeezing very hard. If Hermione hadn’t just gone through hell she might have been scared. Instead she was just pissed.

“Get your fucking hands off me Pansy.” But the girl just squeezed harder and Hermione gave her hard eyes.

“Looks like someone roughed you up Granger. I’ll have to go give them my thanks. But just remember mudblood that I am watching you and I’ll kill you before you touch Malfoy.”

Hermione almost told her it was too late, but decided on, “Get in line you puged face slag.” She dug her nails into the back of Pansy’s hand until the girl yelped and pulled back. “I am walking away now but you remember something. First, I touch whom the fuck I want when I want. Secondly, I’m-not-scared-of-you.”

“You should be bitch.” Pansy stormed away. Hermione almost called after her wanting to explode on the girl, but she needed to find Malfoy.

She jogged around the last corner that lead to Prefects Meeting Room and saw Malfoy talking to a fifth year Ravenclaw. Hermione thought it was Becky or Becca something. Shit, why couldn’t she remember? She felt bad because the girl seemed so shy and innocent. Hermione had always tried to be kind and inviting, but the few times that Hermione had, had to patrol with the younger girl she had been so quite. Very smart, but painfully shy. That was why it was so odd the Malfoy was talking to the small girl. The girl didn’t look in the least bit scared but rather like she was contemplating something.

Hermione walked up as the conversation finished. “Hello Miss. Granger,” Becky or Becca something piped.

“Hermione is fine...ummm dear. Do you mind letting me and the Head Boy talk for a moment?” The girl look like she wanted to say more, but instead she looked down and hurried away through the large carved wooden doors of the Prefects Meeting Room.

“Can I help you Miss. Granger?”

“Ha-ha funny Malfoy. Listen I wanted to say…” But for the life of her Hermione couldn’t think of a thing to say. Well, maybe it was that there was too much to say. Where to start? She suddenly felt so tired.

“It’s okay Granger I leave must girl’s speechless.”

“Oh please Malfoy it’s not your good looks that are stunning girls into silence it’s your total lack of humility and disturbing brutish male arrogance.” Sad but true Hermione felt more at home yelling insults at Malfoy than thanking him.

“Why be humble when I look this good?” He took a step closer and it took all she had not to react by pushing him back. “Did you just say you find my good looks stunning?”

“Malfoy?”

“Yes Granger,” He whispered and stepped closer. She started to panic. She could smell his cologne but under that was his deep male scent mixed with sweat. For a second she was back in the dungeon with Amycus. Malfoy and Amycus smelled completely different and yet Amycus had, had that same deep sweat smell of heavy fighting or exertion.

“Step back Malfoy, please.” She hated to beg but she didn’t have much more calm for anything else.

“Making you nervous Granger?”

“It’s not particularly because of you Malfoy,” she spat, “ and it’s not in a good way.” Her chest started to heave. “I can’t take you this close right now.” A second ago she had wanted to jump on him, but having him this close with out her permission was just making her upset. For a second she wondered if she would always be like this.

Suddenly Malfoy gave her serious eyes and pulled way until three or four people could fit in between them. “What are you doing here Granger?”

It took her a second to follow the quick change of conversation. She shook her head feeling her breathing ease back to normal. “Prefects meeting. Same as you. I feel fine so lets just do this.”

“I didn’t ask because I was wondered if you felt alright. Even though I can’t believe Madam Pomfrey let you out.”

“She didn’t. I snuck out Malfoy if you must know. And if you don’t care about my health, not that I would suspect you would, then why are you bloody asking me why I am here? I don’t want anyone to talk about my absence anymore than I am sure they already have.”

“Oh fancy your self an important topic of conversation Granger? Did you ever think for a second that your Head Girl position might have been revoked? You are suppose to up hold the rules of this school so you’re put on a much stricter expectation level than the rest of the student.”

“And?” But Hermione didn’t really need Malfoy to finish. Her stomach suddenly sunk. She had been so busy trying to ignore all the terrible things that had happened to her by concentrating on getting to her meeting she hadn’t even considered that she was on grounds for dismissal.

“Oh Merlin Granger. I can’t believe people really say you’re the smartest witch of our age. You were found defacing the Headmasters office. AND, as if that wasn’t bad enough, you were caught smuggling a student off school grounds. That would enough to expel you even if Dumblefuck was still Headmaster. But he’s not Granger and no one is here to save you.”

“I don’t fucking need saving Malfoy. I would never have had to do any one those things if we had just ruling at this school!” She stepped closer to hiss at him. “And deep down in side you know that’s true or you wouldn’t have been trying to do the same thing as I was last night. I just got caught because I am fucking mudblood.”

“At least you’ve finally admitted it.” Hermione spun to face the high-pitched voice. What she found was Pansy’s smug smiling face.

“Fuck off Pansy. What didn’t have enough punishment for one night?”

She expected Pansy to react badly. Hell, Hermione had actually hoped she would because she needed a fight, bad. But instead Pansy smile grew bigger and she glided across the hall too hang all over Malfoy. Hermione just shook. She knew she shouldn’t be this mad when the girl hadn’t said more than seven words to her, but suddenly she wanted to kick Pansy’s ass…muggle style.

“Malfoy should I tell her or do you want to?” She giggle and it tore at the inside of Hermione’s brain until she saw red. She walked up to push past the duo and head through the doors. There was no way she was going to lose her Head Girl position. It was all she had left here. She had gone back to this hellhole because Harry had asked, because they needed the sword. She had given Dean her spot to take the sword because she felt she was still needed as Head Girl. With Head Girl she still had some power to help her fellow students. As Head Girl she still had enough freedom to keep the DA going. What did she have with out it?

“Get out of my way you stupid slut.”

Pansy placed a hand on Hermione’s chest to stop her. Then she quickly wiped it as if she had touched something dirty. “Eww Mudblood.” She giggled. “As new Head Girl I can’t let you in our meeting.”

Hermione sputtered. For the first time she actually took a close look at Pansy. She gasped in horror. Pansy was wearing the Head Girl’s robes. They were sparkling in the hallway light. “I know don’t they look great on me? They were just going to give me yours but I refused to wear anything a mudblood touched. Anyway I think they would have been a little to big.” Pansy laughed loudly and made hand movements around her body to indicate that Hermione was much fatter than she.

Hermione defiantly saw red. Just pure rage poured through her body. She had to swallow past it for a second. She went for her wand, but decided it would take too long. Instead she took both her hands and roughly shoved Pansy out her way. “Over my fucking dead body. You hear me? You’ll be Head Girl over my fucking dead body. A brainless slugdrugger could do the job better.” Hermione wasn’t even yelling. Her voice was low and murderous but yet it rung out in the halls.

“Granger…” Malfoy started.

“Shut the fuck Malfoy.”

Pansy stood looking red in the face. “Your dead body will be arranged Granger. Don’t worry about that! As for Gryffindor that will be hundred points for putting your disgusting hands on the Head Girl and another hundred for talking back to Malfoy your superior!”

Hermione head shot to the big house score reader that was place in the same hallway as the Prefects Meeting Room. She waited for a second in horror to see if the Gryffindor’s score would turn back two hundred points. She cringed, it wasn’t as if the Gryffindor were doing very well as of late. But nothing happened.

She turned smiling. “Not Head Girl yet Bitch. That’s hundred points for threaten the Head Girl with death.” She heard the glorious chime of the points being reduced. Her smile widened. “Hmm and another hundred points because I don’t fucking like you.” She pushed past Pansy with a wicked grin going ear to ear. It would be over her dead body! She would take anyone but Pansy to replace her.

“Draco you can’t let that mudblood talk to me like that!” It was the last thing she heard Pansy whine as the door closed behind her. She walked a couple feet into the room before she stopped dead. Everyone was looking at her stunned. Apparently everyone else had realized the obvious. Sam was sending her dead glares and Snape was staring at her as if he had seen a ghost. She was stunned for a moment. What the hell was she going to do? She didn’t have any friends here, not really. She almost lost her courage when she felt Pansy roughly push past her.

“Your funeral Mudblood.” That was it. She followed Pansy and Malfoy to the head of the meeting. She stood besides Malfoy so that he was sandwiched between the two “Head Girls.” She spared a glace up at Malfoy who was smirking so hard it must have hurt.

“Something funny Malfoy?” She growled under her breath.

“Nothing funny at all Granger. I just love seeing you mad like this.” She turned away from him not sure what to say to that. It made her feel uncomfortable the way the word love slid from his lips.

But Malfoy’s lips didn’t matter right now. She was just going to pretend Pansy wasn’t there. Ignoring the obvious, when needed, was one of Hermione’s specialties. “Okay everyone. Everybody quite down and lets start this meeting.”

Pansy leaned around Malfoy giving Hermione hard eyes. “Granger.” She hissed. She ignored it.

“Now I know that I missed last night’s patrol so thank you for whom ever took my shift. I know we have a lot to talk about…” Finally she saw Snape step out of the shadows. ‘Lets get this over with you over grown bat,’ she thought.

“Hermione Granger if you please.” He gestured her to come down from the podium.

“When the meeting is over headmaster.” Hermione turned back to the prefects hearing a collective inhale.


“Miss. Granger I find it highly inappropriate that you are here. You know full well that I made Pansy your replacement. Shouldn’t you be in the hospital wing?” She realized Snape was trying to reason with her. It was funny how Snape still carried this air of concern. As if the bastard still had an affinity for the traditional rules of the school.

“No need for a replacement Headmaster. I am feeling quite well now.”

“I don’t think you understand. I no longer feel it fit that you should help run this establishment. You are an unfit candidate. I’ve have felt that way since you were instituted and you’ve done nothing but prove how right I am.” She wanted to slap him but she would use that same professional back talk.

“Though, I can see why you feel that way…Headmaster… I was not aware of my resignation. Nor was I told of my replacement and furthermore not only did I serve my punishment, which I feel is highly inappropriate to talk about here, but I was never charged with anything more. I’m just here trying to do my job.”

“Enough! Step down Miss. Granger. As Headmaster I am revoking your right as Head Girl. You are a disgrace to this office. If you would but come into the hall with me we can discus this without your further embarrassment.”

“I am not embarrassed in the least, Sir.” Though it was a terrible lie. When Snape realized he couldn’t lour her with underlining threats and seemingly good-natured bureaucratic shit he was going to be cruel. “I don’t think there is much to talk about. Pansy couldn’t even take points away from me so she is obviously not Head Girl so until than I would like to continue with my work.” She turned back to the group. All of them, even the Slytherins, look uncomfortable and unhappy, though of course for different reasons.

“Get the hell out. No one wants you here Mudblood.” Pansy yelled.

Suddenly Lavender stood. “Not true. I am not sure what Hermione did but she is the best Head Girl this school has ever seen and I for one don’t want her gone.”

“Shut up you stupid girl.” Snape hissed coming closer to Lavender. Lavender looked scared but she didn’t back down.

Then Tom stood. “I second that. I vote to keep Hermione as Head Girl.”

Snape looked ready to blow. “AS if any of your opinions matter. You don’t have a vote you dolt. So get the bloody hell down here Miss. Granger.” But Snape’s bellowing was lost in the utter disarray that exploded over the room. People were standing up and yelling at one another. Most were screaming for Hermione’s dismissal but there were more than few who out right disapproved. Snape was roaming through the crowd cursing and trying to pull students apart.

It took a moment for Hermione to gather herself. She was in utter disbelief that her removal would insight such a violent debate. Also, she was reveling in sheer anger and horror that over took Pansy’s face.

Finally Hermione raised her wand and made a lout bang noise over the group. “STOP! Listen I am flattered that you all have taken such an interest in my plight, but this is uncalled for. I will step down…for now but…” half the room wasn’t even listening. Suddenly there was a tap on her shoulder.

It was Becky or Becca something. Her eyes were wide yet Hermione could see a determination in them. “May I say something Hermione?”

“I don’t know if that such a good idea right now.” But in that instant Malfoy stumbled into her suddenly making Hermione’s wand fall from her hand. She and Becky or Becca something both reached for out for the wand, but the fifth year was just a fraction of second quicker snatching up Hermione’s wand and turning to the semi calmed crowd.

Becky or Becca whatever held the wand to her mouth and her small voice boomed out over the incoherent roar. “Headmaster I am sorry I wouldn’t dare normally do this, but there is slight problem with just letting Miss. Granger go as Head Girl.”

“I am Headmaster here I can do what I want,” He bellowed shoving the last standing student in a chair.

“Of course Sir, of course. But see when Head Boy and Girl take their titles they must sign a document. They are bound through that magical document to uphold their duties till the end of the term. In 1785 Headmaster Heckterthorne went through five different heads in a very unethical manner so after that it was saw fit that though the Headmaster had final say in whom the candidates for the office would be he or she could no longer have the final deciding vote. All the heads of house make the deciding voted. Then if there was a tie it would go down to the fellow professors based on rank.”

“Your point?” Pansy growled.

“My point is that the same rules apply to disbarring a Head as well. While Headmaster Snape can put a Head up for dismissal at any time he cannot alone remove the title. You see Headmaster, while I am not arguing against your claims; Pansy could never be made true Head Girl. The dorms wouldn’t accept her. She would be unable to give detentions or take points of more than twenty-five like a true Head. Furthermore the only replacement that could be given while a Head is either ill or indisposed is there second, which right now is Helen Everbee.”

“ENOUGH! I knew all this all ready. I am Headmaster here. I was planning on holding the dismissal council,” Hermione could tell he was lying but her whole world was spinning. How had she not known of this? How could she have signed that document and not take a moment to read the fine print? “ this Thursday. However I decide who Miss. Granger’s replacement is. This meeting is dismissed.”

Suddenly Hermione was being pulled off the stage roughly by Snape. He pushed her into the hallway, but Hermione could do nothing but smile. She looked up at Snape. “Think this is funny! You put her up to this didn’t you? Think you’re mighty clever?”

“What? No. How could I have orchestrated that whole thing when I was lying in the Hospital wing less than an hour ago? To be honest I didn’t even know about that Head Claus thing.”

“You don’t fool me Miss. Granger. You have no right to this office. You are a disgrace to everything this establishment upholds. You are a blemish upon Hogwarts.”

“I sorry you feel that way Headmaster.” Like bloody hell she was sorry. “Am I free to go now?” She tried her best to look bored.

“No. Until further notice I want you to move back to the Gryffindor common. You’re not to give a single detention, give or take a single point, or even look funny at another professor or so help me Merlin I will find away to brake that magical clause. And I wouldn’t get too smug yet Miss. Granger. I would remind you that Amycus is Head of house and I don’t think he likes you very much.”

“Funny, I think he likes me a little too much Headmaster Snape. Now if I may go.”

Snape grabbed her arm again and Hermione felt the newfound panic worm through her body. “Don’t fight this Miss. Granger. I think it would better if you stayed under the radar from here on out.”

She pulled out of her grasp with a lot of effort. “Better for whom? You don’t fool me Snape. Until your…your kind physically removes me from this school and my office I am here to be constant reminder of what you all face.”

Snape’s face became unreadable. “They’ll take everything from you Hermione Granger. Everything.” Normally she would have said that was a threat, but Snape hadn’t said he would take everything just “they.” It left her more unnerved than if he had just blatantly threatened her.

“They can try. Good night Headmaster.” She watched Snape leave her, his robes bellowing out behind him.

As she turned she slammed into a small figure. She was really getting sick of that tonight. She looked down…

“Oh I am sorry…ummm”

“Rachel,” Malfoy’s deep slightly chuckling voice came behind her. “I didn’t know you had such spunk in you. But that will be ten points for Ravenclaw for being such a noisy know-it-all and sticking me with Granger.”

“Malfoy! Oh Rachel dear thank you so much! How did you know all that?”

“It’s in the latest copy of Hogwarts A History. It just came out two months ago.”

Hermione smiled down at the girl and for a mere moment she saw a reflection herself. “So very smart. I guess I have been neglecting my reading.”

“You can borrow mine any time you want! I really hope they don’t get rid of you. I don’t want Pansy to be Head Girl. She is something awful.”

Hermione laughed. “Agreed. Listen it’s getting late you should run along, but first I think ten points for being so knowledgeable on Hogwarts history,” Rachel beamed up at her. Take that Snape,’ her mind jeered,’ “and another ten for saving my ass back there. Now run along.” Hermione chanted Rachel in her mind over and over again as she turned back to Malfoy, who just stood there with a stupid smirk. Rachel, now there was name she couldn’t help but remember for all her life.
-----------
“What are you doing?”

“Whatever the fuck I please Granger. I am not the one who got kicked out of my dorm.”

“Ha-ha. Shouldn’t you be off celebrating somewhere? Doesn’t look like I’ll be Head for much longer and if Pansy takes that my place,” Hermione shuttered, “you two can make a fuck fest out of it.”

“My my Granger what a dirty mouth you have lately. Couldn’t have anything to do with hanging out with a certain Sex God couldn’t it?”

“Not bloody likely. Just sod off.” She was suddenly so angry.

Malfoy grabbed her arm and she did the only thing that felt right. She grabbed his arm and twisted it until she heard him curse and he was kneeling on the ground. “Don’t put your hands on me again MALFOY! I think I’ve had quite enough of that for one day. Just because Snape and Amycus get away with it doesn’t mean you will.”

“Really? Because you seemed fine when my hands were all over you two days ago. And where that fuck did you learn that bitch.” Hermione just walked away.

“Don’t walk away from me mudblood. Is this what I get for saving your fucking life? Is this the kind of gratitude you give those who risk their necks for you! I bet you sucked Potter and Weasel off ever time they saved you pretty little ass.”

“I…I…I. Oh Malfoy I don’t know. Thank you. I mean how many times can someone say that. How many fucking times do I need a knight in shinning armor to save me? What does that say about me when I need you of all people to save me! You do these things for me and I want to see the good in them, but the next second your talking about taking the Dark Mark and calling me a Mudblood. I can’t trust you and I never should have.”

“Oh so this is all about your wounded pride? You almost broke me arm because you can’t keep your stupid arse out of trouble and it’s my fault that I have to keep rescuing you. And I am what I am Granger. I never lied to you about it.”

“Your right, but some how your wrong and I know Malfoy.” She threw her hands up. She felt tears sting her eyes but she be damned if she cried. She turned again and flung the dorm’s portrait open. She had to get her shit packed and then have the meeting with Ginny and Thomas. She didn’t have time for this shit with Malfoy. She had hoped that maybe just maybe she could rub off on him enough that he’d choose differently but no matter how he felt for her he wasn’t going to change. ‘Wait? Felt for her? Malfoy doesn’t feel anything for me. He’d gotten what he wanted, but than why did he keep saving me?’ She tried to physically brush the thoughts away.

She felt Malfoy running up the stairs behind her and she turned to meet his anger, but it’s not what she got. No anger was there, anger was always there when it came to Malfoy, but there was something more and that more made her want to look away.

“Stop running away Granger. Stop always running away from me!”

“Where do you want me to go? This fucked up situation has left me with two options. I either run at you or away from you. I tried to straddle the two and Merlin knows for some twisted reason of fate life keeps pushing us together, but that doesn’t mean I am going to help it along. Not anymore.”

He stepped closer and she cursed herself for being caught between a wall and another man again today. She put her hand against her chest. “Not to close Malfoy…please.” She added.

“Okay.” He took her hand and held it but true to his word he didn’t come closer. It was awkward having her arm extended as he held it but there was pleasantness to it. “Is it so wrong to run to me? I am not Snape and I am sure as hell not Amycus.” She opened her mouth but he stopped her. “I know I am not Potter or Wesley and I never will be but I am that bad?

What the hell was wrong with Malfoy? One second he calling her a mudblood now he needed her approval. Was he that bad? “I don’t Malfoy. I wanted to believe that deep down you weren’t that bad. No, fuck that I know you’re not that bad because I see past so much of that bullshit, but you’re not good either. You make bad decisions and no matter how much potential good or whatever word you want to use I cannot condone those actions. In five days Malfoy you’ll be…you’ll be one of them.” Suddenly Snape’s words came back to her. “They'll take everything from you Malfoy. Everything.”

“They already have Granger. From the moment I was born they had everything I had to offer and took so much of what I could. I am okay with that now.”

“Well I am not and I am certainly not going to run to it.” She pulled her hand away.

“Don’t.” He tried to grab her hand. She pushed open her door and tried to hide the tears. She could not cry these tears for Malfoy. She could not feel, or bleed, or crave his redemptions anymore.

“Granger give me those five days. They can be ours.”

“What? You’re talking non-sense.” She pulled out her wand and started packing.

“Maybe. I mean of course not making sense but I always do when I am around you.”

“Thanks,” she sighed sarcastically. Her clothes twirled and swirled in fantastic pattern of colors as they folded themselves and packed neatly into her trunk.

Malfoy suddenly hugged her from behind. She stiffened for a moment but felt his warmth and that oh so Malfoy sent of ginger and earth and she relaxed. They were silent for some time as watched all her possession twirl and fall. She watched her life being packed away into one small trunk as tears slid down her face. “Don’t do this Malfoy.”

“Don’t not do this Granger. Give me five days. Is that so much to ask when you have a lifetime? Five days of just us like it might have been if you weren’t a… muggle born and I wasn’t the son of Death Eater.”

She turned in his arms about to tell him how much harder it would be to see him fall from grace, but really Malfoy didn’t have very far to fall. Besides he looked so hopeful, so genuine that she couldn’t say no. “Five days Malfoy. I can give you five days.” He kissed her than and she was sure in that moment that her heart broke. Ached from the very sadness and unfairness of it all. She was also sure in that moment that this is what love was like. But she didn’t love Malfoy and even if she had children of war had no time for love.

She hadn’t taken more than two steps into the Griffyndor common room when she felt two hands grab and pull her off towards a deserted area of the room.

“Merlin Ginny relax.”

“What do you mean relax,” Ginny hissed, “you run off after Malfoy without so much of an explanations and then I hear from Lavender that Snape is trying to replace you and they are going to hold a council meeting. I looked that up Hermione that hasn’t happened in the entire history of Hogwarts. You're the first in History. You’re the first.”

“I understand what it’s the first in history mean Ginny. Thanks. And how do you know that anyway I couldn’t have been more than half hour?”

“You’re not the only one who reads Mione and you sent everyone the new copy of Hogwarts a history for Christmas!”

“Merlin I am the only one who hasn’t read it?”

“Who cares about that right now? Seamus is at the old prefect’s bathrooms making sure that its clear. He said if he didn’t come back in thirty it should be clear so lets go.”

“Okay but first I owe someone a thank you.”

It didn’t take her long to find the two childish blond pigtails of Lavender but she really was a pretty girl if she would stop wearing pink and wearing Pippy Longstockings pigtails. Hermione laughed inside at that muggle reference.

“Lavender?”

“OH Hermione you were so brave today. I hope my out burst didn’t get you into much trouble. Snape looked mad.” Lavender shivered.

“No actually I came over here to thank you. If it wasn’t for you and Tom I don’t know what would have happened. I don’t think Rachel would have felt brave enough to come up and share that bit of information. Hell I don’t know if my courage would have lasted much longer.” Suddenly Lavender was hugging her.

“No thank you Hermione. You being so brave putting your self out there by still being Head Girl and helping all the student has helped all of us.” She looked serious all of a sudden. “I just can’t help but worry about Ronald and Harry.”


Hermione smiled she knew that Lavender still had a thing for Ron. It use to bother her but when she actually looked, like she was now, she could see the warmth and caring that poured from the girl when she talked about Ron. Ron deserved that. “I do too but I just have a feeling that there both fine.” She winked at Lavender and turned before the girl tears brought some of her own.


“What was that all about?” Ginny asked as she pulled the girl from the common room.

“Nothing. Just thanking Lavender for sticking up for me.”

“Is this a start of a new found friendship? I mean you know she still has a thing for won won.” Ginny made a disgusted face. “If you need me to put her in her place I will Hermione.”

Hermione started to laugh but she realized Ginny was serious. It reminded her of how much her life had changed and how much she’d been lying about it. How had she actually promised to give Malfoy five days? “No Ginny its fine… Lets just go to the meeting.” She added quickly to stop Ginny’s instance.

-----
An hour and half later she stumbled into her common room. Her mind was a jumble of their conversation. After settling Seamus and Ginny down from wanting to kill Amycus they discussed school events. She couldn’t believe the anger that her story had ignited in her friends and she left most of what happened out. She wasn’t ready.

Ginny filled her in on Pansy’s so called notions that Malfoy wanted to sleep with Hermione and that there had been some sort of bet. This was a topic Hermione quickly dismissed pretending she knew nothing of it. Even remembering the moment broke pieces in side her. ‘Than why do you trust him,’ her mind roared, but her heart sang, ‘because that was the first night he’d saved our life.’

They moved on to more serious topics of conversation and Malfoy’s betryal was forgotten. There was defiantly going to be a registration for all muggle borns or anyone who could trace muggle linage even two hundred years back. But it was hopefully months in the making. Hermione was not so much concerned for herself. Her muggle born status had been loud and proud from the day she arrived at Hogwarts even though it made an even bigger target on her back of which Hermione was sure it was so big that someone could see it from space. But she was really concerned for those who considered themselves mixed or true bloods. True blood were families who could trace their wizard linage on both sides for at least three generations. Though not pureblood no one would dare call them mudbloods. They needed to start spreading the news now. If students had family members that needed to be hid or fake linage to be made the time was now while the project was still in its infancy.

As the three went to leave, “Hermione what will you do if they revoke your Head Girl status?”

“Cry,” she laughed trying to brush it off.

“I am serious,” Ginny combated. “I don’t like that your positions puts you in so much spotlight but that spotlight also keeps you safe at times. There are still some people in the ministry on our side. Alone with no position and no power. Well it scares me.”

“You act like I am prime Minster or something. Its just a position at Hogwarts.” Hermione humped.

“WHAT!” Seamus exclaimed. “I can’t believe you off all people would say that. And you know it’s not true. They write articles about Heads and you’re the fucking poster child for muggle borns. As it stands now there still be someone what of an uproar if you just poof disappeared.”

“I don’t know what I’ll do. Maybe I wont stay. Maybe I wont be able to but until that happens it’s a non-issue. Listen I have a bit more to pack. So don’t wait up for me.”

She flung herself on the couch rethinking Seamus and Ginny’s words over a few more times. What would she do? Leave? Could she after what Lavender said tonight. It was an issue for another time and where was Malfoy? He made her promise that she would return. They had to make time he said. Time for what she didn’t know. Sleep hopefully. She was just about to get mad when her hands brushed something satin feeling on the couch. She looked down to find that she was actually sitting on hundreds of tiny black rose pedals. She grinned and groaned. ‘Oh Merlin Malfoy.’

Just like she thought, they lead to Malfoy’s room. She followed smiling twirling a few with her wand; lifting them into the air and letting them dance and fall around her, touched by her invisible wind. The door was slightly ajar and she could see soft lighting barely penetrating the dark to reach the hall. After Ginny had mentioned Malfoy tonight Hermione had want to stand him up. She hadn’t had the heart to do it but she still didn’t know if she’d make the right choice. She stepped through the doorway cautiously and her breath caught in her throat.