THE PHOENIX

Chapter Four


The next couple of weeks the students started to get into their daily routine of classes. Seventh years were kept particularly busy studying for their NEWTS, Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests.

Hermione and Draco lived in the same dormitory but did not really see each other that much. Hermione was often seen in the Gryffindor tower helping Harry and Ron with some assignments that were given to them from the classes they took together. Draco was kept busy with his studies and could often be found reading ahead in some of the texts for his classes.

Hermione decided one day to take her books outside to enjoy the weather. There wouldn’t be too many days like these and she wanted to take advantage of it while she could. She had thrown on a pair of old faded jeans and a very worn sweatshirt and made her way to the old tree by the lake. Once she got there, she was glad to see no one else there. She liked hanging with her friends, but sometimes she just needed some alone time.

She sat cross-legged on the grass and dug out her transfiguration book. She had an assignment due next week and she wanted to start on that early so she would be free for the weekend. On the weekend the Gryffindor Quidditch tryouts were being held and she was looking forward to it. She wanted to try out her new broom that she bought in Diagon Alley with some of her race winnings. Her Gringott’s vault account was slowly growing. Her winnings from the past couple of years from her races were adding up quite nicely. She was asked to participate in a race the following month for a wizarding fund raiser, but she had declined. She had promised her parents that she would put school first, before her motorcycle. It was an idea she agreed with. Her winnings were going to come in handy if she decided to further her education. Although ...... she may decide to go on the racing circuit for awhile first.

She opened her book finally and started to read, almost immediately getting enthralled with the new spells and the complexities of transfiguration.


Draco had looked in their dorm and in the library for Hermione. In the library he had found Potter snuggling with Lavender Brown. Draco sneered at the couple, “Potter.”

Harry looked up from Lavender’s neck, “Malfoy.”

“Have you seen your girlfriend, Granger?”

Harry smirked, then looked to Lavender who smiled back. “Not lately, check by the lake outside,” then went back to kissing Lavender’s neck, completely ignoring the look on Draco’s face.

Draco was a bit miffed that Potter didn’t get angry at his comment, and stalked out of the library. He made his way outside and to the lake. He soon saw Granger sitting, hunched over her book reading, her hair falling over the sides of her face.

He stood at her side and looked down at her. “Granger.”

“Hmmm?” She murmured not looking up.

“Granger,” he hunched down and leaned his elbows on his knees until she looked up, trying to get her attention.

“What do you want Malfoy?” She asked looking up finally.

“I’ve been looking for you,” he said irritably.

“You found me,” she smirked and closed her book.

“Two of the prefects are sick and they can’t do their patrol tonight. The others say they have heavy homework from the professors that are due tomorrow,” he said as he stood up.

“Well, I guess we’ll need to cover for them,” she said as she started to get up.

She hadn’t realized how long she was sitting, but when she tried to get up her legs gave out on her, numb from sitting on them for so long. She stumbled forward, where Draco caught her before she fell. His arms went around her back as her front pressed against him.

She backed away, still on tingly legs. “Uh......thanks,” she said as she brushed her hair back from her face.

He let go as if his hands had been burned and stepped back. “No problem,” he said. “See you tonight?”

“Yeah, tonight,” she smiled as she leaned her hand against the tree stamping her feet to get the feeling back in them before she tried walking.

Draco turned and walked back to the castle, his brow furrowed as he thought of the brief embrace with Granger. He had felt her breasts crushed against his chest and remembered the smell of her hair as she leaned into him. He felt a stirring in his groin and mentally shook himself. ‘It’s Granger for fucks sake,’ he thought angrily to himself. ‘Think of Pansy, think of Pansy,’ he said to himself over and over again to cool his arousal. He was so deep in thought he didn’t see Pansy herself up in the astronomy tower with a telescope pointed towards them.

After dinner was over, Hermione made her way over to the Slytherin table to get Draco. Pansy saw her coming and shifted closer to Draco, putting her arm through his. Draco glared at Pansy and moved further away from her. This, Hermione watched with amusement as she came closer. She tapped Draco on the shoulder as he was talking to Blaise.

“What do you think you’re doing mudblood?” Pansy said, getting the attention of their table.

Hermione shrugged. “Just collecting your boyfriend for a friendly shag. You don’t mind do you?” she smirked, her eyes twinkling mischievously.

Pansy was starting to get up when Millicent held her arm. “Not here,” she said as she motioned to the professors.

Draco got up, grinning behind his hand and started to walk beside Hermione. Pansy began to follow. Hermione turned around, her arms crossed over her chest. “Is this your way of telling me you like me Pansy.....I hate to disappoint you, but I don’t usually go for the runts of the litters.”

Pansy went to lunge at Hermione, but Millicent again held her back as students that overheard the insult sniggered to themselves. Draco grabbed Hermione’s arm and led her away from the Slytherin table.

“You shouldn’t provoke her Granger. She’s not stupid, she will get even,” he warned.

“I didn’t say she was stupid. Calling her stupid would be an insult to stupid people,” she smirked. “And I’m not afraid of your little girlfriend Malfoy.”

He walked beside her as they went out of the Great Hall. “Why’d you get me so early for? The patrol shouldn’t start for hours yet.”

She stopped walking and looked at him and smirked at his look of confusion. She stepped closer as he stood his ground, until she was almost nose to nose with him. “Like I told the Slytherin slut back there ..... just a friendly shag,” she said softly as she moved closer, her body not quite touching his.

“Granger?” He asked as he watched her lick her lips.

She stepped back with a grin. “Actually, Dumbledore had asked us to attend their faculty meeting after dinner,” she said as she turned and started to climb the stairs.

Draco looked after her and exhaled his breath that he didn’t realize he was holding. “Fucking tease,” he grumbled to himself as he caught up with her.

The faculty meeting lasted a couple of hours as they went over some of the things happening at the school and some events that were to take place. Dumbledore had asked for ideas for Halloween and how to get the houses to interact with each other more on a friendlier basis.

After everyone had left, Dumbledore had asked Draco and Hermione to stay behind. “So how are you two getting along?”

“Fine,” Hermione said.

“Alright,” Draco grumbled as he looked out the window.

“Good. Good. I trust you are keeping up with your studies?” He asked. They both nodded. He looked to Hermione. “Will you be participating in the Wizard’s fund raiser next month?”

“No, not this time around. Although I did donate some money to the cause,” she smiled. “I have all the time in the world after school is over to devote my time to that.”

“Well, if you change your mind, let me know. I’m sure your studies wouldn’t suffer because of it,” Dumbledore said smiling.

Draco sat quietly to the side as he looked to Dumbledore then Granger. “Are we done here?” He asked grumpily.

Hermione looked at him, knowing he was itching to ask what they were talking about. “Yeah, I think so. I just need to ask Professor Dumbledore something in private, then we can start our rounds.”

Draco got up and looked to the two. “Fine, I’ll be in the library Granger,” he said and left the two alone.

“So, how are you two really getting along?” Dumbledore asked.

“Fine. Really, we hardly see each other,” she replied. “I was thinking Sir.....” She started.

“About what Hermione?”

“Well, maybe for Halloween we could have a bit of a fund raiser here.”

“And what would you suggest for a type of fund raiser here?” Dumbledore asked interested.

“I know there’s a few of the students here that ride motorcycles. We could have a couple of races or even some broom races, or quidditch games.....maybe against some previous school graduates.”

Dumbledore stroked the length of his beard. “That’s not a bad idea. I’ll have to talk to the rest of the professor’s about it first, then you and Draco could talk to the prefects for ideas,” warming up to the idea. “You know that your other persona will not remain hidden if you involve yourself with this event.”

“I know, but it’s to raise funds for the Wizard’s foundation. It’s worth it. Besides how many students here even read that particular magazine?” She said shrugging her shoulders.

“There’s a few. I do like this idea. We’ll have to set up some kind of track around the grounds for the race, since we’ll be using the quidditch pitch for the games,” Dumbledore said then stood up. “I’ll talk with the others and get back to you soon Hermione.”

She got up when he did. “It’s an idea. I would like it to be a secret who came up with it though.”

“Done. Now I believe Mister Malfoy would be waiting for you to start your rounds.”


Hermione made her way to the library. A walk she would be able to take with her eyes closed. She stepped into the library to see Draco scratching away on parchment, books stacked at his side. She sat across from him and picked up a book, “The Magical Theory of Animagi.......interesting.”

Draco looked up. “Granger,” he said as he closed his books.

She put her hand over his. “We still have some time. The snogging couples don’t come out till later anyway,” she smirked.

“You would know, wouldn’t you Granger?” He sneered, pulling his hand away from hers.

“You know Malfoy....your smile is so much nicer. You should try it more,” she smiled and picked up a book to skim through it, not noticing the glare he gave her.

“Don’t you have the same transfiguration assignment, seeing as you are in the same class?”

“I’m done with it already,” she replied looking though the book. “I finished it last night.”

“It figures,” he said quietly. “I’m almost done anyway.” He opened the book again.

She kept to herself for the next hour as he finished up. She looked through a couple of spell books, a few of them she hadn’t gotten her hands on yet. She would have to remember to come back tomorrow to check them out for a few days to read them a bit more thoroughly.

Draco kept glancing at Hermione when she wouldn’t be aware of it, watching as she nibbled her bottom lip in concentration. His eyes looked to her mouth and he had a sudden urge to lick along her lips, to taste her. He quickly looked down when she looked up. He closed the books and recapped the ink bottle. “Done. I just want to run these upstairs to my rooms, then we could start the rounds. The prefects were to start in the dungeons tonight.”

“Want me to come with you?” She asked as she stood up.

“No, I’ll meet you by the Great Hall.”

“Sure thing,” she replied as she left the library taking her time as the staircases moved every which way.

In short time, Draco came sauntering down the main staircase. “We’ll start by the potions classroom,” he said as he walked down more stairs with her keeping pace beside him.

They were quiet as they checked the empty classrooms and broom closets for any students that should be in their dorms. They came upon a closed door just as they were going to go back up the stairs and stopped to listen. Hermione looked to Draco and smirked. She grasped the door knob and pulled suddenly to have two of the students tinged red from their snog fest and embarrassment.

Draco looked at the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor student, his arms crossed at his chest. “That will be twenty points from each of your houses. Now I would suggest you go back to your houses.....separately,” he said sternly.

Hermione looked to the ashamed couple and leaned closer. “Next time, try a silencing spell on the door,” and smirked at their surprised faces.

Hermione and Draco watched them hurriedly leave. “You shouldn’t encourage that Granger,” he said.

“Why ever not. Can you honestly tell me that you haven’t snuck somewhere with a girl?”

“Well.....” He started.

“Then don’t be too judgmental of others.”

“I suppose you have with Potter a lot,” he sneered.

“Didn’t have to. We were in the same house,” she said smugly and looked to Draco.

“Potter’s been keeping his mouth busy hasn’t he?” He sneered as he waited for the hurt reaction.

“Has he? Good for him,” she smiled as they started to climb the stairs to the second floor.

“Doesn’t that bother you?”

“No, why should it. We split up before school started.”

Draco looked to her. “What? Sex with Potter lost it’s novelty?” He smirked.

Hermione laughed. “Sex with Harry was never boring,” she sighed. “We just realized one day that we didn’t want to be together like that anymore.”

“Just like that?”

“It was a gradual thing, I think. What about you and Parkinson?”

“Pansy?! We’ve never been in a relationship, although she’s been trying to get me in her bed for the past couple of years. It’s quite annoying really,” he stated as they looked through the rooms. “Although.....I am irresistible,” he smirked.

She laughed, “Yeah, sure.”

Draco smirked at Hermione’s sarcastic come back, then remembered the exchange between Pansy and Hermione. “You know, you need to be careful of Pansy. She’s a vindictive person.”

She looked at him. “Worried for me Malfoy?” And grinned. “I can take care of myself.”

“Well whatever, just don’t rile her up too much,” he said as they walked up to the next floor.

They kept their conversation minimal until they were done with their rounds. Once back in their dormitory, Hermione made her way to her room. “Granger,” Draco said stopping her.

“What?”

“What was Dumbledore talking about with you participating in the Wizards’ fund raiser?” He asked.

“That’s been bothering you hasn’t it?” She smiled.

He shrugged, “Just curious.”

“It’s too do with a hobby of mine,” she grinned. “Goodnight Malfoy.” And then went to her room, closing the door behind her.

Draco stood there just as confused as before. ‘What do I care?’ He said to himself as he went to his own room, laying awake wondering what the mystery was with Granger.


Thanks to Lessa for beta reading.