Draco Get's His

This had originally intended to be a one shot but as the story has evolved, so has the focus and I just love Draco and Hermione together.

Chapter 4

Draco went over every inch of his plan with a fine toothed comb, ironing out any possible problem areas. He’d spent seven years observing Gryffindors at a distance so he had a general idea of how he could manage this. Wincing mentally to himself,” Cutting it a bit close there, Draco. Three months left.”

Three months until graduation, when they would all go off into the world...and a new world at that. Potter had stomped all over the Dark Lord...may he burn in hell...on Christmas eve but the Death eaters had taken longer to weed out and destroy. Unfortunately, more people died after Voldemort had been exorcized from this realm than before it. Still, life was returning to normal and it was a good start.

But there were drawbacks. The ministry was cracking down on all Death eater families and he eyed the parchment curled up on his desk. No, best not to focus on that just now. If his plan worked the parchment would be a moot point and he could continue with the future of his choosing.

His father had been given the kiss just after the holidays and he’d died a month ago, leaving him the Lord of Malfoy Manor and finally free, in a fashion. It would be hard to say that he loved his father. In spite of how he presented his feelings he was a bit indifferent to a man that merely lay with his mother to produce an heir and then stepped swiftly out of his life to let her raise him.

His mother he loved, would do anything for her, in fact and it was with this frame of thought that he returned to his plans. She wanted him to wed after school, to start a family right away so she could have grandchildren to dote over. He shook his head, an amusing picture of his stately mother crawling on all fours after his three year old self and could just imagine her doing the same with any offspring he would one day produce. Although he would not be Lucius Malfoy. He had no intention of stepping back and watching his son or daughter from a distance. He would marry for love and his child or children would feel that love...

Shaking his head, returning to his plans, he sent up a mental complaint to himself to be sentimental later. Right now he had work to do.

***

The Slytherins rolled their eyes to each other as Lupin wrapped up the last of class. Twenty pages to read. What a joke. Draco was one of the first students out of Defense Against the Dark Arts, glancing at Pansy and smirking as they walked down the hallway. She glared at him quietly, still not happy with him since the blackmail incident,” You’re evil, Draco.”

Shrugging, walking sideways to give her a smirk,” What can I say, I learned from the-“ He grunted, running into a short mop of blond hair and his books skidding. He threw up his hands and whirled, grabbing for the responsible party. Snarling at Creevy who inched away and silently trembled,” Watch where you’re going you little Gryffindork mudblood.”

Pansy’s eyes widened, tugging on his arm,” Draco-“

Whirling on her,” Now you’re defending a mudblood, Pans...what has the world come to?” She shook her head almost violently and he tilted his,” No. No you’re not defending that useless pile of muggle spawn or no he’s not mudblood trash?” She shook her head again before hanging it and taking a big step back. What he hadn’t noticed until now was she wasn’t the only Slytherin giving him a wide berth. Frowning,” What is wrong with all of you?”

“ They’re giving me room.” Draco felt sick. He literally felt like he was about to vomit as he spun around to see Harry standing a little in front of Creevy with his arms crossed and a look on his face that promised pain. Taking a step back,” Run and it only get’s worse.”

Draco quickly ran through his mind the possible escape avenues, taking into account what the Boy That Lived could possibly do to make his intended punishment worse and quickly drew the conclusion he was not stupid enough to try to run. Grovel, absolutely, but he’d prefer to wait to do that. Licking his lips and squeaking,” Potter.”

Nodding,” Now, I will give you the opportunity to apologize to Colin.”

Narrowing his eyes as indignant anger swept aside reason,” He’s a mudblood. I don’t apologize to his kind, Potty, not for you or anyone else.”

Giving the blond a grimace of a smile,” Have it your way.” Harry raised his wand and Draco did as well, a glint in his eyes that said quite clearly he was prepared this time. The brunette smirked just a bit to himself,” We’ll see.” The students in the crowded hallway took one look at one another and did the only sensible thing as the sizzle of hexes started to fly...they ran.

***

Draco had his arms crossed, a superior smirk on his face while the Headmaster sent a disapproving look over his glasses to both of them. Though the castle had been damaged both boys had survived unscathed and Albus was silently impressed,” Now, I want to know how this altercation started.” Harry reddened and stared at his hands while Draco just gloated,” Mr. Malfoy?”

Jutting out his chin,” Potter attacked me while I was minding my own business-“

” You were the one calling Colin...names.”

Ignoring the brunette,” And he’s just lucky I wasn’t grievously injured or I’d sue him for every sickle he has.” And he turned up his nose to indicate how little he believed Potter had.

Albus raised an eyebrow, slowly moving around his desk and sitting down, thinking silently to himself. His eyes moved from one to the other more than once, stroking his beard thoughtfully before nodding to himself,” Not that I condone violent actions, but per chance what names were Mr. Malfoy calling Mr. Creevy, Mr. Potter?”

Draco paled just a little while Harry looked up with an angry glint in his eye,” Mudblood.”

Dumbledore’s gaze sharpened to the Slytherin who looked down for a change while Harry studied the window outside, his anger not dimming. Draco was well aware of a conversation he and the Headmaster had at the end of sixth year about that word,” By seventh year I would have thought you would have outgrown such a petty insult, Draco.” Draco flushed at that. Never, ever, had any of the professors used his first name in chastising him. The Headmaster pursed his lips,” And how was attacking a student going to remedy the situation, Mr. Potter?”

Draco saw where this was going and headed it off. There was no way he wanted anyone else even suspecting he’d been spanked. Head down and looking as apologetic as he could muster,” I’ll apologize to Creevy, Headmaster, and we can even forget about Potter attacking me.”

Holding up a hand, now very curious,” I will consider it after my question is answered.”

Draco mentally groaned but shut up while Harry fought with himself for a moment,” I wasn’t exactly attacking him...”

Raising an eyebrow,” Half the portrait frames in that hall are destroyed, the foundation cracked and it will take weeks for Professor Flitwick to charm those suits of armor to right again. If you weren’t attacking one another then what was it?”

Huffing in frustration,” I was...I was trying to disarm him-“

” So he could attack me!”

Whirling on the blond,” It’s your own fault you stupid git.”

Pointing a finger,” See! He admits it!”

Face flaming,” I admit I was going to drag you off to be-“

” Shut up!!”

Both boys faced away uncomfortably, Harry embarrassed but still feeling that what he’d intended was right while Draco was close to sulking. Albus’ voice caused both of them to flush,” For what, Mr. Potter?”

Harry opened his mouth,” Don’t you dare, Potter.”

Sighing,“ Mr. Malfoy-“

Stomping his foot,” He has no right to tell and you have none to ask, you old coot!”

Albus leaned back silently for a moment before a knowing glint entered his eyes,” I see...” It was one of his duties, to observe the students of this school. And these two were constantly under his scrutiny even if they weren’t aware of it. And Draco’s grimacing while sitting a few days ago had not escaped his notice. He nodded to himself before standing up and moving around his desk,” Gentlemen, I would normally never bring up this type of history but this is a school after all and though both of you are near to graduating I think this is one lesson every child should learn.” He sat on the edge of his desk, arms folded in his lap,” Consequences. There are consequences to every action and reaction. You, Mr. Malfoy, acted reprehensibly to a Gryffindor and Mr. Potter reacted accordingly. Just as right now I, as Headmaster, asked a simple question and your reaction was one of disrespectful belligerence.” Draco studied the floor,” Now, normally such a tone and wording would earn a detention and points deducted but I want you to tell me honestly, Draco.” The blond looked up,” Did whatever Harry do make you cautious of repeating the offense?” Draco opened his mouth to deny it, but the truth was he knew deep inside that it had. And if he’d been thinking more clearly at the time he wouldn’t have done it again. Not wanting to admit it because he had an inkling where this conversation was headed, he slowly nodded against his will. Albus nodded just as slowly,” As far back as fifteen years ago, this school had a more corporeal solution for certain attitudes. And though not normally practiced, the rules for such infractions were never stricken from the books. Indeed such words both to me and to other students would earn quite a severe lashing so I will leave it up to you, Mr. Malfoy.” Draco swallowed dryly, his stomach tightening with worry,” If you choose Mr. Potter, then he will conduct what he feels is an appropriate punishment within relative privacy. Otherwise you will be forced to the front of the Great Hall at breakfast tomorrow where every house attendance will be mandatory.”

Feeling tears burning his eyes, he lowered his head and moved unconsciously closer to Harry for protection. The Boy That Lived was definitely the lesser of two evils. If he were publically punished he’d never finish school. He’d leave that very day,”...Potter.” Dumbledore nodded slowly. In a way he hated putting the young Slytherin in such a position yet he knew that the lad would only benefit from it.

Never fear, I'm progressing to the Hermione/Draco portion but I think Draco should make restitution for his rather nasty attitude. ***Evil laugh***