When Living Ain\'t Easy

A huge thank you to everyone who has commented so far. Your kind words, inspired questions, and fun observations have kept my spirits from plummeting during the \'family fun with flu\' crisis. Big hugs and kisses to you all!

~ * ~

Chapter Twenty-Three : Butting Heads

Hermoine bristled as the Slytherin Prince walked into the room. If she hadn\'t already been told of his presence, he would certainly have been hexed to Kindom Come. As it was, her wand hand itched to follow the impulse, clutching her teacup tight enough to make it creak ominously. But her best friend was unfazed, so she forced a quick, cleansing breath and plastered a smile on her face.

\"Malfoy,\" she said through gritted teeth.

\"Granger, good of you to join us,\" Draco\'s voice held less antagonism than she\'d expected, as if he were addressing a fellow housemate even. \"Has Harry brought you up to speed on our projects yet?\"

Warm brown eyes sought green, the question of how to treat her classmate\'s reputation of abuse clear on her expressive face. Harry understood well enough -- none of his friends had been as often targeted by the Malfoy heir as Hermione.

Holding her gaze, Harry answered, \"Not yet, Draco. She\'s just arrived; we haven\'t gotten beyond who not to curse yet.\"

Lucius watched the play of expressions on the young witch\'s face. This was one topic that had yet to be discussed with his new -- if still prospective -- lover. To facilitate matters, he decided not to let them flounder about.

\"Miss Granger, a multitude of changes have occurred since last we met. Perhaps the best place to begin is with an explanation, and an apology. I am certain that you can appreciate the need for... playing a role, yes?\" She nodded hesitantly. \"Very good. Now, as Slytherins, it is imperative that we act with the expected degree of... disapproval toward certain types of people. Muggles, Muggle-born, Weasleys... all must be treated with less courtesy in the public venue, else we fall under suspicion from our peers.\"

\"I understand that, sir, but-\"

\"Please Miss Granger, allow me to finish. There will be ample time for debate in just a moment.\" When Hermione calmed back down, he continued, \"This excuses little, of course. It is a necessary evil to maintaining good health, no matter how odious. In my son\'s defense, he was trained to behave thus, just as my father instructed me. Only in these circumstances, private and carefully warded for secrecy, can we treat any non-Slytherins -- or any person of less than the most elite heritage -- as equals. I do hope that Draco has learned to appreciate each person on his or her own merit, but for the necessity of our prior behavior, I offer my most sincere apologies. A young lady of your strength and intelligence deserves much better.\"

Finishing with a solemn bow, Lucius sat in an armchair and awaited the verdict.

Hermione\'s mouth opened, then closed with a snap. The older blond\'s words replayed in her mind, and she found herself believing his sincerity. Helpless against her troubled thoughts, she looked back to Harry. Always before, she had relied upon her best friend\'s instincts -- if he believed Lucius Malfoy, then she must do the same.

As the witch turned back to him, Harry was busy giving Lord Malfoy a mock grimace. \"Really Luc, did you and Severus take some sort of class to sound so... stiff?\"

In a stage whisper that Hermione would never have imagined her professor using -- complete with wink and leer -- Severus said, \"Harry, are you honestly complaining about dear Lucius and myself being *stiff*?\"

The blatant innuendo from her teacher forced a startled gasp from Hermione, which was quickly overwhelmed by Harry\'s laughter and both Malfoy\'s snickering. Before she could regain some small measure of balance, Draco made it worse.

Stepping slowly toward the witch\'s position, wand extended in a gesture of truce, Draco said his own piece, \"My father is correct, Granger. Maybe I took it too far at times -- I\'m sure from your viewpoint that it would seem so -- but as Lucius Malfoy\'s heir, every last Slytherin, every Death Eater child, would follow my example. I couldn\'t go to the loo without someone noting whether I stood or sat to relieve my bladder. I regret the antipathy between us more than you know. If for no other reason than to have a capable and intelligent study partner!\"

Draco\'s arms flew wide in a dramatic pose, but his words rang with honesty.

After collecting herself, Hermione\'s brain assimilated the newest facts and allowed her to respond. \"I think... yes, I understand. And I accept your apologies. It makes more sense than the ruthless prejudice did. Now,\" back to no nonsense, self-assured Hermione Granger, \"if we can dispense with the formalities, please call me Hermione, and let us get to work.\"

\"That\'s my \'Mione!\" Harry said before launching himself from the older wizards\' arms into a fierce hug with his best friend.

Each Slytherin requested that she use their familiar names as well, then the quartet walked her through their proposed topics of research.

~ * ~

It was only after two hours of research and four pots of strong tea that Hermione was able to drag her best friend out to the back yard for a private confrontation. Her eyes widened to anime` proportions as she took in the extravagant garden, but nothing would derail her from the hundred-and-one burning questions that were racing through her head.

Leading them to the furthest bench from the house, she flopped onto the comfortable wooden seat and waited impatiently for Harry to join her.

\"Alot\'s happened since we came back, \'Mione...\" Harry began, his voice soft and bewildered. He covered all the events of the past few days, even relaying his personal thoughts, before ending with, \"It just feels so *right*. Like all this time I\'ve been headed in the wrong direction, and finally I\'m on the right track.\"

\"But Harry, this is Professor Snape and Lucius Malfoy!\" Practically vibrating in her seat, the witch\'s mind whirled with doubts. \"How is it that you\'ve never reacted like this to either of them before? Oh gods! He didn\'t... *do* anything to you, you know, in detention or something, did he?\" A scandalized horror coated her words, and she began to stand, drawing her wand.

Before she could fly off to hex either of his... whatever they were, Harry caught her arm. \"\'Mione, wait! It\'s nothing like that.\" Only the calmly reassuring presence kept her still. He sounded so... peaceful, so very certain, that Hermione relented and forcibly relaxed again.

\"Neither of them has *made* me do anything. Merlin! They haven\'t even kissed me yet. But they make me feel so safe and warm and so very wanted. For just me, Hermione, not the boy hero or the Gryffindor Seeker, or Dumbledore\'s Golden Boy. Just me. Just *Harry*. With anyone else, I\'d always wonder *why*... even Ginny. Maybe especially Ginny. Don\'t you remember all that hero worship in her first and second years? But Sev and Luc... that\'s just not a part of this thing with them.\"

Harry\'s eyes went distant, and a slow, sad smile crinkled his face.

\"You\'ve always worried about me, not being able to let it all out and just cry or scream or whatever. It was the most... liberating experience, \'Mione. We\'d just gone over the components for those Voodoo dolls, and Sev brought back enough to do the whole Inner Circle, and I hugged him for it. And somehow, he didn\'t hex me, even when I started bawling all over his shirt. Then Luc joined the hug, and it\'s like a switch flipped inside me. I cried so hard, and they kept me from unraveling.

\"\'Mione, I honestly don\'t remember the last time I really cried. The Dursleys made sure I never made so much oise, and nothing since, not even Sirius, could make me let it loose. And maybe I just never felt safe enough. Or maybe it\'s just them. Probably.\"

In all the years of their friendship, Hermione had never witnessed Harry so open and calm. She couldn\'t help but hope that he had finally found the anchor he needed, even if he\'d found it in the dubious company of the Slytherin icons. The look on his face was difficult for her to place, as she\'d never seen it before. In a flash of insight, she finally identified it -- peace. Peace with himself and with his choices. And that was the crux of the matter, wasn\'t it? This was *Harry\'s* choice, and if she was any kind of a friend, she would support him in it.

\"Oh Harry, of course I\'m happy for you! It was just a shock,\" Hermione said softly, dragging him into a breath-stealing hug. \"As long as they are what you want, you\'ve got my full support.\"

The last knot in his chest loosened at his best friend\'s approval. Harry knew there would be tough times ahead over his choice of lovers, but as long as Hermione stood beside him, he wasn\'t going to worry about the idiot masses.

~ * ~

\"Lucius, I sincerely doubt that a monitoring charm is necessary.\"

The blond\'s body twitched, betraying his surprise at having been caught eavesdropping. \"Really Severus, must you lurk? I was simply trying to make sure that the chit didn\'t upset our Harry. Now hush! I don\'t want to miss this.\"

The Potions Master sighed, rolled his eyes, and leaned his head close to the silver mane. He too wanted to listen to their... Harry\'s explanation of recent developments. He bristled a bit at Miss Granger\'s accusatory question, but his old friend laid a calming hand on his arm.

\"She is simply looking out for him, Severus.\" A sharp nod of acceptance followed.

Hearing their young lover\'s quiet assurance as he explained their budding relationship made both Slytherins relax. Twin exhalations of relief escaped them at the Granger witch\'s acceptance. Neither would have abandoned their relationship with Harry over her disapproval, but it would certainly make things easier to have the \'know-it-all\' in their corner.

As the two Gryffindors drifted into more mundane talk, Lucius canceled his spell. \"Well, I think I might actually learn to like the girl.\"

\"Indeed. Mr. Potter is most fortunate to have one such stalwart friend.\" Severus pressed a hard, meaningful kiss to the blond\'s lips, breaking off to whisper, \"Our family has increased, eh Luc?\"

A quick smirk. \"Just so. Never thought I would have to claim a Gryffindor, but the witch is practically his sister in all but blood.\" He straightened up, moving away from the back door. \"At least she\'s got a good head on her shoulders. But we really must get Draco to do something about that hair!\"

Chuckling over the image, Severus threw an arm across his lover\'s shoulders and walked them back to the study. \"If you can convince her to trust your dear son enough, I wish you all the luck.\"

Lucius hummed thoughtfully. \"There seems to be quite a bit of... animosity between Draco and the Granger witch. Of course, I\'ve heard a bit about their rivalry, but there seems to be some deeper anger on her part toward Draco. Not that I can blame her for holding a grudge-\"

\"Luc,\" Severus\' voice was gentle, but his eyes held a warning. \"Let them work this out for themselves. I suspect we have an incomplete picture of the situation.\"

\"Yes, of course. You can\'t blame me for hoping...\"

\"Lucius.\"

\"Really Sev, I know! They must settle their own differences. But I can see no other witch of his acquaintance worthy of my son. My one heir. Shouldn\'t I want the best for him?\"

Placing a soothing kiss on the blond\'s cheek, Severus agreed tentatively, \"They must each find their own path, love. If you push, it will only encourage them to be more stubborn.\" He removed all contact, sitting heavily on the sofa. \"Now, look busy. They need not know of our intrusion.\"

~ * ~

By no means was the elder Malfoy alone in his talent for surveillance charms. Draco had listened to his classmates long enough to verify that Granger was not going to endanger his father\'s happiness. With a smirk, he transferred the charm to the other Slytherins, becoming incensed when the older wizards\' discussion turned to him. But no, they were only looking out for his well being.

The hinted suggestion of a buried attraction to the Gryffindor witch caused Draco\'s breath to catch in his throat. Was that why he was always so much harder on Granger than the other Gryffies or Muggle-borns? The thought merited careful consideration.

And just maybe his father had a decent idea. Not that Draco would admit to listening to either conversation. But a well-placed comment, a subtle hint, maybe using Harry\'s new look as incentive... If she would let him near her without cursing him. It was worth investigation, at least.

Quietly closing the bathroom door behind him, Draco moved toward the kitchen to summon Dobby for a late snack. His expression thoughtful, the blond was only distantly aware of his classmates\' return from the garden.

~ * ~

Harry and Hermione came back inside, arm in arm, both vastly relieved after their talk. A quick check showed the older wizards in quiet study over a few old scrolls, and Harry was loath to disrupt them. The Gryffindors continued to the kitchen, hearing a soft pop just before they entered the room.

On the table lay a large selection of late night treats, with Draco snagging bites of various sweets from his usual seat.

\"Well, don\'t just stand there. Pull up a chair and help me make a dent in this,\" the blond begged, rolling his eyes in false exasperation. \"I swear, Dobby must think I\'m about to waste away.\"

Hermione wanted to say something about house elf rights, but she had made a promise to \'play nice\'. Seeing his friend\'s agitation, Harry attempted to divert the threat of another argument.

\"I didn\'t know you still talked to Dobby, Draco.\"

\"Hmm? Oh yes, even after he was freed from our house.\" Almost absently, the blond confessed, \"Dobby was a general house elf, but he always seemed to be available for me. Even after your ploy with the sock -- a most ingenious move, Potter -- he let me know that I would only need to call his name. I... would have missed him, quite alot, had he not been at Hogwarts.\"

Hearing the all-too-human wistfulness in Draco\'s words, the ire went out of Hermione. How could she chastise him about enslavement when the blond obviously missed his... friend? Such a notion saddened the young woman. It was one thing to despise the foul treatment of a minority group, but this was far more personal. She almost wanted to hug away the sorrow from her classmate\'s wilted demeanor.

\"Well, at least you still get to see him,\" Harry said, mirroring his friend\'s thoughts. \"Dobby\'s been a big help these past few years.\"

\"Mmm, yes, he\'s always been like that.\"

\"Oh, he\'s brought carrot cake!\" Hermione squealed, then blushed at her childish enthusiasm. Primly placing a slice on a plate, she took a seat and nibbled small bites of the desert.

Harry snickered at his friend\'s antics, grabbing biscuits and hot cocoa. \"No need for manners here, \'Mione. You\'re surrounded by men again -- just let go and enjoy.\"

\"Sure Granger, we\'ll have you belching a tune soon enough,\" Draco said with a wink. The witch\'s blush made him warm all over. \"Bah, don\'t mind our teasing. Your manners are impeccable. I\'m glad to see you like Dobby\'s cake too; normally he only fixed it on my birthday.\"

The blond\'s fond tone drew Hermione\'s attention. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched his impassive expression melt into something... tender. Yet another aspect to her school foe, and another facade ripped away. How hard must it be to subsume one\'s personality behind the cold, cruel mask of a Slytherin elitist? Her heart ached at the thought.

Draco watched the play of emotions on Granger\'s face carefully. He wasn\'t lying or exaggerating at all, but he also wasn\'t above using the harsh truth to draw the witch away from her comfortable hatred of him. And with her softened, it seemed a good time for...

\"Hey Potter, have you shown off your new wardrobe yet?\" His attention turned to Hermione, a sly grin in place. \"Never would\'ve believed it, but your friend here let me play dress-up with him. I finally got rid of those horrible cowlicks.\" For good measure, he laughed aloud at the mock glare on Harry\'s face.

Fake irritation turned to easy satisfaction, as Harry told his favorite witch, \"Yeah, it started out with me pranking him, then Draco \'got even\' with a make-over while I napped. But we called a truce after I saw his handiwork.\" Standing to turn a full circle, he continued, \"Not too bad, huh? And you should see my new clothes! No more of Dudley\'s hand-me-downs.\"

Whatever irritation she wanted to feel, out of loyalty to her best friend, Hermione couldn\'t deny the justifiable smugness on Draco\'s face. All it took was a good long inspection of Harry\'s happy acceptance of his new appearance, and Hermione would have gladly kissed the artist responsible. That the perpetrator was Draco Malfoy mattered very little.

\"Very nice, Harry,\" she beamed at the preening brunet, then turned to address a slightly worried blond. \"Draco, I\'m impressed. Regardless of how you did it, Harry has long needed someone to deal with his wardrobe. And his hair, thank Merlin! I\'m not sure about the glitter, but overall it looks so much better.\" She gave him a true smile, free of any lingering animosity.

Breathing a sigh of relief, he returned with a grin of his own. And just maybe now was a good time to offer... \"Thank you. Hermione.\" He said her name softly, keeping close watch to make sure she approved of the familiarity. \"I learned a vast assortment of charms from my mother. Quite a few for hairdressing, a number of simple glamours, plus the general sort to tidy clothes. Potty\'s hair terror was hardly work, but satisfying all the same.\"

Hermione\'s face took on a \'Quiet, let me think\' expression. After a moment\'s consideration, and another quick glance at Harry\'s changed appearance, she took the bait with open eyes. \"If that\'s an offer, Draco Malfoy, I accept.\" Tugging a handful of bushy hair, she grimaced at the mass of it. \"Do your worst.\"

Draco\'s eyes sparkled, accepting the challenge. He exchanged a smirk with Harry. \"As you wish, m\'lady.\"

Brown eyes went round, and Hermione looked frantically at her best friend. Yes, Harry had heard the same -- her favorite line from her favorite book. If the Slytherin kept this up, she just might learn to like the little ferret.

Inclining her head in regal acknowledgment, Hermione accepted both the offer of fashion advice... and the olive branch of peace. She didn\'t need to witness Harry\'s blinding smile to know that her best friend was happy with her decision -- the whole atmosphere of the kitchen warmed with his good mood. And that, she felt, was worth entrusting her very soul to the Slippery Slytherin Prince.