Forbidden Paths

Chapter 4

Draco had the strangest dreams last night. Well, they weren’t that strange he had those kinds of dreams before just with different girls in it. He woke up with a start blinking away the picture of Hermione Granger on top of him. He was questioning him self when he remembered what he had done and then he remembered the reaction his body had had when he touched Hermione. It was so embarrassing that he had to hide it from her.

He thought to his self Well, there is no use in trying to go back to sleep with that on my mind. So he stood up put on his robes, and ran his hands through his sleek blond hair before heading upstairs to breakfast he knew it had started because of all of the noise that was happening over his dormitory. He looked around and wasn’t surprised when he saw that Crabbe and Goyle had already left.

As he walked into the corridor that lead to the Great Hall he ran into Hermione which was the very last person he wanted to bump into especially because of what happened last night. The quickly made eye contact and then she hurried off in the other direction he guessed that she was heading toward her common room to get her books for her lessons.

He didn’t understand why she of all people was having this affect on her. He had gone much farther than groping a girl and he had never ever felt this way. He walked into the Great Hall found Crabbe and Goyle and sat down so he could try and enjoy breakfast.

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Hermione rushed back up to the Gryffindor Common Room. Her stomach was doing flip flops because she kept going over what happened last night in her head over, and over again. Why did she have to be so noble and tempt Malfoy into touching her? He hadn’t wanted to and she sure as hell hadn’t wanted him to.

She flew up the stairs and ran right smack dab into Ginny Weasley Ron’s younger sister. “Ouch! Sorry Gin are you okay?” Hermione asked rubbing her head where the two of them had collided.

“Ouch! It’s okay; I’m fine when you live in a house with 6 brothers you get used to being bumped into a lot. Are you okay? You seem a bit preoccupied.”

“What? Oh no, I’m fine just going over some Arithmancy problems in my head,” she had made up this story so Ginny didn’t pry because Ginny hated anything that you had to use your brain for.

Ginny quickly muttered something about breakfast and hurried on her way. Hermione was relieved that she wasn’t going to have to do any awkward explaining. She ran up to her dormitory grabbed her Arithmancy book and headed to class where she was about to get the worse surprise in her life.

“Hello class,” said Professor Vector in her cheery voice, “Today I am pleased to be informing you that we have a new student who has decided to join our class. He has been studying diligently over the summer and has qualified to take this class. I’d like to introduce you to Mr. Malfoy.”

Malfoy stepped out from behind Professor Vector and his stomach plummeted as he saw who was sitting in the front row. Hermione had the biggest look of uncertainty on her face. The class acknowledged Malfoy entering the class by murmuring, ‘Hello Malfoy’.

“Mr. Malfoy I would like you to sit next to Miss Granger for the beginning of your stay here in class so she can get you caught up. Miss Granger,” Professor Vector said, “I would like you to stay after class with Mr. Malfoy so we can work out your schedule for helping him study,” Hermoine opened her mouth in protest but Professor Vector raised her hand to silence her, “No questions Miss Ger. er. I know you two have your differences but you will just have to get over them. Mr. Malfoy has a lot to do to catch up and with you being my best student I trust you will do everything with in your power to help him understand,” she smiled quickly at them and then turned back to the class.

“I’ll tell you one thing,” Malfoy drawled, “I think our teachers are trying to do us in.”

Hermione tried not to laugh and she nodded her head curtly and then began to take her usual notes. Draco watched her for a minute and then began doing the same.

When the bell rang they stayed in there seats and Professor Vector approached them, “So, have you figured out a study schedule yet?”

“Um… not really Professor,” said Hermione timidly. How many days would you like me to help him study?”

Malfoy scoffed at her politeness but quickly turned it into a cough when Professor Vector stared at him. “Well, Mr. Malfoy. Have you thought of anything?”

“Malfoy’s eyes narrowed but then he said, “All I know is that it can’t clash with my Quidditch Practice. We have a game against Gryffindor in 4 weeks. So how about Monday’s and Wednesday so I don’t have to see her on Friday’s,” he finished his thought and sneered quickly at Hermione.

“Now I’ll have none of that,” said Professor Vector looking at Malfoy, “Hermione is that okay with you?” Hermione shook her head yes, “Alright then,” said Professor Vector bringing her hands together, “You all will study tonight then. Off you go.”

Man! This is the worst week of my life, Hermoine thought as she walked out of the class. No more tempting tonight though, there is work to be done. That’s right all work and no play. Malfoy ran into her on purpose and he said, “See you in the Library Granger. Don’t be late,” and with a raise of his eyebrows he turned on his heel and left.

Stupid git! Hermione thought, trying to make me retaliate. Well he has another thing coming I’m not Harry and Ron. I have no problem keeping my composure.

She walked into Gryffindor Common Room and saw Harry and Ron playing a game of Wizard Chess where Harry was losing badly. Harry looked up and then asked, “What’s up? You look like something is bothering you.”

“Oh it’s nothing et myt my life is over,” Hermione said as one of Ron’s bishops wrestled one of Harry’s knights to the floor. Her cat Crookshanks leapt up into her lap and she stroked him between his ears.

“Why what happened?” Ron asked looking worried.

“Professor Vector introduced Malfoy into Arithmancy class today and she said that I have to help him catch up to the class after class during my own free time. Our first study session is tonight! Oh Ron!” She exclaimed and fell on his lap. He nervously patted her back.

“Hermione it’s okay. We’ll go with you and make sure he’s not a jerk,” Harry said picking Hermione’s face up off Ron’s lap. Ron had a relieved look on his face.

“No, it’s okay. I can handle it myself. Well, I better get ready,” she said with a sigh.

‘What are you talking about? Aren’t you gonna go and eat dinner?” Ron said with an outraged look on his face. He never ever, ever missed dinner.

“For some reason’s I’ve lost my appetite,” she gave them a weak smile and walked up into the girl’s dormitory. She knew exactly why she had lost her appetite she was worried about the events of the study session that was going to occur tonight.

Draco was in his dormitory thinking about the same thing. Lying beneath his forest green canopy of his four-poster. He certainly wasn’t going to start any physical contact with that Mudblood tonight. as jas just going to study and catch up with his Arithmancy class.
They met in the library and there was sort of an odd silence between them. They only spoke when Draco had a question about a theory in his numerology book. Then Hermione would lean over and she what page he was on. Every time she leaned over she would smell his cologne, which smelled a lot like Abercrombie Wood, which was something a lot of Muggle boys wore.

Draco could tell she was sniffing him because he was doing the exact same thing to her. Every time she leaned over he would smell her hair, which smelled strongly of strawberries. Deciding to be clever he said, “Geez Granger what do you do bathe in a field of strawberries?”

“You should talk. I didn’t know that you had ever been into Muggle London. Where did you get that cologne Abercrombie?” She knew she was right when his eyes widened.

“None of your business, Mudblood!” Draco snarled.

“What the hell is all of this Mudblood crap about why can’t you just get over it! I’m still a witch as you are a wizard. We are going to be spending a lot of time together so why don’t you try calling me Hermione and I will try my best to call you Draco.”

“Whatever, …Hermione,” Draco drawled.

“There that was okay wasn’t it Mal… Draco?” Hermione said

Draco rolled his eyes and went back to his homework.