Never Piss Off a House-Elf

Hermione laughed nervously. She couldn't do anything else; she laughed for about five minutes straight before she realized that she was both laughing and crying at the same time. Ron tried to reach for her, but Harry reached her first and lead her down the hall to an empty classroom. The house-elves organizing it realized the need for privacy and winked out. Strangely, Draco Malfoy followed them, closing the door behind himself.


Harry led Hermione to sit down and put her head between her knees. He patted and rubbed her back while she tried to calm herself and Draco watched the door. Harry glared at the blonde, who rolled his eyes and continued to keep watch. After a few minutes, Hermione's sobs died away and she was wiping her face with a handkerchief Harry had transfigured from some lint in his pocket.


"Nice bit of magic there, Harry," Hermione said, trying for a light tone. "I think I'm alright, now."


Harry nodded, motioning for her to keep the cloth. "What happened? Why did you greet us?"


"The staff isn't completely set for the new year, Harry. We've yet to hear who the new Defense teacher is, and the other teachers have been busy recuperating from the war. I volunteered to welcome the prefects," Hermione said, folding the handkerchief. "But on top of that, I'm dealing with Severus's house-elf, Satchel, and trying to make patrol schedules."


Harry understood; what he didn't know about was Hermione's special project, which was also draining her time and energy. He knew something was bothering her, but not what, exactly.


"Great show, Granger. You going to faint if Longbottom survives Potions?" Malfoy sneered, already tired of trying to be polite.


"Shut up, Malfoy. Why'd you come with us, anyway?" Harry asked angrily. Even after everything, Draco still got on his nerves. "It isn't as if you care for Hermione."


"She is my partner, you twit, and as such, I am compelled to care for her. But I only have to give a modicum of my energy to the caring," Draco said haughtily. Harry raised his wand, but Hermione caught his hand.


"Stop it, both of you. Draco, if you don't want to be here, leave. Harry, you just became prefect. Don't ruin it by dueling before the year starts," Hermione said, her voice more tired than before. "Why are you here, Draco, really?"


Harry and Hermione regarded the Malfoy suspiciously, well aware of his tricks. He coughed and looked away before he spoke.


"Professor Snape is my godfather, and I owe him a great debt. If something were to happen to his fiancée that I could help, I would have to help," Draco explained. He glared at them. "And he will subject me to a fate worse than death if he knew I'd said as much to you."


Harry and Hermione shared a look, nodding. Harry hugged Hermione and nodded to Draco, who moved aside for Harry to leave the room. Hermione was left alone with Draco, who kept his silence.


"Draco, I appreciate that, but you don't have to look out for me," she began, standing up.


"I'm not doing it for you, Hermione. There's more at stake here than I think you know. Even my parents are talking about what he's owed, and how this law could be beneficial."


Hermione nodded, wondering what else she didn't know. She was hearing from the males around her all the time. . .


"You should let me take a look at the schedules you have made up. Everyone can pick their partners for the first week, if you ask me, and you should," Draco said, opening the door and motioning for Hermione to precede him, "and we should see if that works."


Hermione honestly hadn't thought of that idea, and she had to admit its merits. She finally conceded.


"Alright, but I want the two of us to spot-check, you know, make sure everyone's patrolling, and not being unfair," she said lamely. Draco nodded, closing the door behind them.


"Any other problems I can solve for you?" he said cavalierly, and Hermione could have sworn he'd smiled, but it vanished too quickly to tell.


She shook her head.


**Unless you can tell me how to deal with not being with Severus again until we're married.**