Shifting the Balance

Chapter 7

~ Touch ~




Hermione didn’t know how long she sat on the couch, holding onto Crookshanks.

Eventually the clock belled at the full hour, indicating it was time for lunch.

Hermione let the cat from her lap and stood. She glanced one more time at the door that led to Malfoys dorm. Then she left.


Quietly Malfoy opened his door. Granger was no longer there. Sighing he pushed it fully open and closed it behind him. He took off for lunch.


***

Hermione sat next to Ron and Tamara. She looked over at Harry, Ginny and Neville who sat across from her. She smiled when Ginny raised her head off of Harry’s shoulder to greet her friend.


“Hey Hermione. How are things?? Are you feeling well again?”
“Yes, thanks Gin. I’m feeling much better. “ She paused.


“I gather you are doing fine.” Hermione gave her head a little shake in Harry’s direction. Ginny smiled broadly.

Ginny’s gaze went over to the left where Ron and Tamara sat. Ginny looked at Hermione pointedly.

Hermione looked over to where Tamara sat. Tamara was staring off into space again.

“Enjoyed the quidditch practise this morning Tamara?” Hermione asked.


Tamara turned her gaze towards Hermione.

“It was wonderful. Thank you.”


Then Tamara turned back and continued to stare into the distance.


Hermione looked back at Ginny who had to suppress a grin. Harry looked amused and even Neville had the courtesy to look away before cracking a laugh. Ron however glared at the four off them.

Suddenly the headmaster cleared his throat and begun to speak to the students.

“Dear students. I have an announcement to make.”
The Headmaster waited until the room felt silent.

The first week of December the holiday break will begin, as you all know and are looking forward to. I’m sure. Due to Christmas break the Christmas Ball will be held on a Friday, first of December.

I must remind the Head boy and Head girl that they are in charge of the organisations for the Ball. I will be looking forward to it.” He looked at Hermione and then his gaze shifted.

“Now, it regrets me to tell you that a fifth year Ravenclaw, Lenn Feartrent, has been hospitalized in St Mungo’s.”


Over at the Ravenclaw table whispers could be heard. Hermione looked over at the Slytherin table. But Malfoy was obscured by other Slytherins.

“His state is critical. He was found in the Forbidden Forest alone. He is badly injured and his memory has been altered. He doesn’t seem to remember anything. Foul play has not been ruled out as of yet.


The Ministry of Magic has made this investigation one of highest priority. If anyone knows something that can be of use. Please. Feel free to come and see me. It would be greatly appreciated.


That’s all for now. Enjoy your lunch.”




The tables were filled with different dishes when Dumbledore finished.


Hermione couldn’t eat anything. She tried to act normal, but her insides were creating a tumult.


Malfoy had to be connected. She was sure of it.


She just thought he was angry with her for butting in at the time. But now she was certain Malfoy had got into a fight with Lenn.


Well did a little more than just fight him it seemed.


But why. Why would he do such a thing. And what did he do to Lenn?


Hermione was pleased that lunch was over. Ron and Harry left with their girlfriends and Hermione told Neville she was leaving for the Library. She lingered when she was certain her friends were gone. Quickly she looked over at the Slytherin table. Malfoy was leaving as well. Hermione waited until he passed the Gryffindor table. Then she stood.



She had to talk to Malfoy.



****


Hermione followed Malfoy out of the Hall. He was surrounded by Slytherins and Hermione cursed inwardly.


How was she going to approach Malfoy when all his fans lingered around?

Hermione waited until Malfoy headed for the dungeons. Hermione knew it was now or never.


If he followed after the others in the labyrinth, she would surely lose him.


Besides; she wasn’t going into the dungeons voluntarily.



“Malfoy! Hey Malfoy!” She hollered while sprinting a bit.


Hermione halted when the group of Slytherins all turned to face her.
Ok, there’s only one with the Malfoy name. Meddlesome little bunch, aren’t they?

Hermione made her way over. She ignored the glares of, Crabbe, Goyle and the extremely foul stares of Parkinson and some other Slytherin girls.

“Malfoy, can I have a word?”

Malfoy’s eyebrows shot to the ceiling, making Hermione more self-conscious then ever before.


He didn’t even step out of his little circle to talk to her.
Why does the prat have to act, as if she just created some new world order by approaching him?

Hermione noticed Malfoy kept staring at her.
Around him the whispers began and she realised she wouldn't get a response out of him at all.

That's when it struck her, the head girl was on his turf.


Hermione looked up. “I wanted to talk to you about the upcoming ball”
Behind Malfoy Pansy sniggered.


“Now isn’t really the time Granger.” Pansy Parkinson smiled evilly at Hermione.


“Talk to me when we’re up in the common room. I will be there tonight, or tomorrow. We’ll see.”


Without waiting for a reply Malfoy strolled away with his fellow Slytherins.
Hermione was fuming. She didn’t got a word in and it was irritating as hell. He’d just dismissed her.


Glaring at Malfoy’s retreating form, she yelled back, “You better be there tonight Malfoy!”


Hermione stomped off to the Library.

***


That evening Hermione waited in the common room. But Malfoy wasn’t around and it was nearly a quarter past Ten.

Hermione sighed. She wasn’t going to have fit, just because the Slytherin snake made her wait.


She made her self comfortable on the couch, reading the Daily Prophet when the portrait swung open.

Malfoy walked in as if nothing was amiss. Hermione glared at him.


“Finally decided to come?” Hermione spat angrily.


“Don’t start with me Granger. I never said I would talk to you tonight.”


“Oh, but you definitely ARE talking to me tonight!” Hermione was final.


“NO, I’m going up to my room to SLEEP!” Malfoy walked towards his dorm.


Quickly Hermione threw her Prophet onto the floor and got up.

She now was between Malfoy and the way towards his dorm.


“Get out of my way, Granger.”


Hermione held her head high. “NO!”


“Well suite yourself.” Malfoy shoved against Hermione and she was sent flying backwards to the ground.


From the ground Hermione whipped her wand out and screamed ‘reducto’. Malfoy was slammed into the wall and then crashed to the floor.

Hermione was trembling. All coherent thought went overboard. She felt so angry. She would have tried anything to make Malfoy listen.



Malfoy jumped to his feet, wand at the ready.


Quickly Hermione jumped to her feet as well.

Malfoy came at her. Wand outstretched.
In a flash Hermione was opposite Malfoy, both wands at each others throat.

Malfoy was trembling. His grey eyes burned into her own. He was breathing hard, his chest moving in and out at an accelerated speed.


Hermione felt herself tremble as well. Shakily her wand pressed in the skin of his neck.


“You better intent to use that wand again Granger!” Malfoy spoke through clenched teeth.


“I’m just sorry it had to come to this. I.. only wanted to.. .to talk. To you!” Hermione stammered.


They stared at each other.



Slowly Hermione took her wand down. Malfoy rubbed at the spot in his neck. He kept his wand pointing at her chest, lowering it from her neck.


Hermione followed the wand down with her eyes.
Looking up she sighed.

“I can’t believe it has come to this. Even if we’re alone I have to take my wand out to talk to you.”


Malfoy just shrugged. “Oh, and Granger. Never again approach me when I am in the company of my friends.”


“You’re just impossible. You know that!” Hermione uttered.

“I can’t believe this. Every time I think I get somewhere with you, something happens and we’re back at this.” She gestured between the two of them.


“So stop trying to talk to me, Granger!” He put his wand away.


“Oh just forget it.” Hermione walked away from him, staring out of the window.



“I know you did something to Lenn!” Hermione turned around.

“Malfoy smirked at her. “You know nothing!”


Hermione took a step closer.


“I know that you’ve been looking at me funny. Since yesterday.
Maybe you think that I suspect something.”

“You’re delusional. I’d nothing to do with anything.”
Hermione stared defiantly up at him. Malfoy sighed.


“It all means nothing to me, Granger!
Not what happened to you. Not what happened to Lenn.”


Malfoy stroked a blonde lock backwards.


“I think you lie!”


“We’ve already had this conversation, Granger!” Malfoy stepped closer.
“ I’ve told you already, I couldn’t care less if Lenn could have his way with you. You could die for all I care!”


Hermione remained calm and it angered Malfoy even more. She could see.


“Then why tell me you’re not like him.” She stepped closer as well.


“Shut up Granger. Don’t talk about things that you know nothing off!” Malfoy threatened.


“You wanted to hit me. You could easily have hurt me. You wanted to hurt me! I saw it. ”
They were inches apart.


Malfoy was backing away and turned his back on her.
“Shut up Granger.”


“I’ve hit you in third year. Yesterday you saw reason to hit me back. “

Malfoy turned back and stared at her.

“You think nothing of me. I’m a filthy mudblood to you. I’m nothing. Lower then any pupil in this school. I disgust you!”

“SHUT THE HELL UP! Stop TALKING.”
Malfoy grabbed Hermione at the front of her robes and slammed her against the wall.


He held her there while he kept yelling.


“You ARE nothing to me, STUPID. (Slam). FILTHY. (slam). MUDBLOOD. (slam). WHORE! (slam).”



Hermione stared up at Malfoy in pure shock. He kept slamming her to the wall with every word. Her breath was knocked from her chest.

“Malfoy stop. PLEASE STOP!” Hot tears were rolling over her cheeks. Her back hurt like hell.

“You are Nothing. You mean NOTHING!” Malfoy spat hatefully. He knocked Hermione backwards again. He closed his eyes.


Hermione’s head slammed against the wall.
Hermione was fully crying now. “Malfoy you’re hurting me. Please stop.” Her voice was quivering.


Malfoy let her go and turned away from her.


Hermione slid from the wall to the ground. Sobbing.


Malfoy just stood there with his back turned. Listening.


Abruptly he turned and pulled Hermione from the ground. Resting both hands on her shoulders, he held her to the wall again.
“I’m sorry.” He whispered. He closed his eyes.

Hermione looked up at him. Her sobs stopped.


Malfoy moved his hands and cupped her face.


Hermione’s breath caught in her throat.


He brought his head towards hers and leaned against her forehead.
He was breathing shallow.


His thumps traced over her tears and caressed her eyes. Then her lips.


He dipped his head down and stroked his lips over hers softly.
His hands slid down to her throat.


Hermione opened her mouth. He breathed into her.


His hands moved to the back of her head, grabbing her firmly.
His lips moved over hers. Stoking and tasting.


Hermione’s carefully constructed world came tumbling down. Her stomach gave a pleasant twist.
Slowly she began to move her lips. And he took the opportunity to delve into her.


His tongue gave slow and lasting strokes and Hermione moaned. She was getting hot all over.


One hand took a hold of her hip. He brought their body’s closer together.

Hermione’s mind screamed he was too close. Too damn close!
But soon the voice died down and a tingling feeling took over her body.


Hermione gave into the kiss and Malfoy dominated her mouth completely.
He devoured her while slowly rubbing her hip. Then he let her lips go.

His head trailed kisses on her neck. Hermione leaned her head back against the wall. He opened his mouth at her pulse point and let his tongue play with her skin.


He pushed his pelvis into her and brought up his knee between her legs.
Oh god, Hermione thought. She felt a heat build at her core.


Hermione took hold of his shoulders. Afraid to fall if she didn’t.


Malfoy groaned in the back of his throat loudly. Then he suddenly jerked away.
He stepped back from her, eyes wide.


Hermione saw lust and bewilderment.


He looked lost for a moment.

“What am I doing?” He whispered. Hermione’s hands were resting on his chest.

“I’ve got to go.” He turned and swiftly took the stairs up to his dorm. Vanishing inside.



Hermione was left behind. Restless and breathing hard.

She was blushing feverously. She leaned her head back against the wall and waited for her breathing to return to normal.




***



^^Next in chapter 8: Malfoy left something for Hermione. She isn’t pleased to say the very least. Of course the two have words again…



A.N.: please review and tell me what you think.