The Adult World

Chapter 8: Merry Christmas


Hermione quickly found out that after silencing her class once, she wasn’t going to have to do it again. The rest of the week went smoothly, and she was impressed by their respectful attitude. She only wished that she had tried the spell sooner.

Draco had remained elusive the rest of the week, only showing his face in their common room when he was leaving or coming in for the night. Hermione suspected that he was spending a lot of time flying, from his wind-blown appearances each night. She wondered what was bothering him. Sensing the need to mind her own business, she kept her thoughts to herself, and spent the evenings reading through the different books on his shelf.

Monday came, and Hermione had prepared herself to teach the lesson on the boggart. While she was not looking forward to seeing Bellatrix Lestrange again, she reasoned that it wouldn’t be very hard to think of something ridiculous about her. She could start with her hair, which rivaled her own in bushiness, and end with her shabby clothes. For someone who was supposed to be a superior pureblood, she exuded the appearance and mannerisms of a bag lady with schizophrenia. A part of her was looking forward to facing her fear and conquering it again.

********

Hermione was pleased with herself. Not only did she face her fears, and handle it brilliantly, she also felt like she helped teach the students a valuable lesson. There was something liberating about seeing the thing you feared most, and turning it into a ridiculous being. Hermione smiled as she recalled the boggart Bellatrix turning into a white faced mime. The day had gone well.

When the lesson was over for the day, Hermione waited in the hall while Draco wrapped up potions and let the students leave. Nodding at some of the students as they greeted her, she spied Draco sitting at her desk, glaring in her direction. She gave him a questioning look, then made her way into the room, dodging the rest of the students who had lagged behind.

“What’s the matter?” She asked, genuinely concerned.

“How you made it this long without committing murder is beyond me. Are they always this ignorant?” He asked scathingly, getting up from the desk and coming around to stand next to her.

“Oh, they aren’t that bad anymore. They’re actually improving. If it makes you feel any better, you’re class went smashingly.” Hermione stated, smiling up at him. She was still feeling the effects of the adrenaline coursing through her body from the boggart.

“Glad to hear you enjoyed yourself.” He muttered, his mood not lightening an inch. “I’ve got things to do. See you later.”

Hermione sighed, and rolled her eyes at his retreating back. She was in a good mood, and it was apparent that he wasn’t. She decided that on Wednesday she wouldn’t check in, and just leave him alone.

********

Friday came and things returned to normal without so much of a ‘good job’ or ‘thanks for covering my ass’ from him. Every class was wild, as the majority of the students were leaving for Christmas break. There was a school dance for the students in the evening, and Hermione had a hard time keeping their attention during the lecture. Finally deciding to be lenient for once, also taking into consideration that their mid-terms were completed, Hermione put a film on about the history of potion brewing. She knew it was terribly boring, and didn’t comment as the students whispered amongst themselves.

Once the final class was over, she holed herself up in her office, determined to have the majority of the assignments graded before the staff Christmas party tomorrow night. She also didn’t want to have to transport the hundred or so vials of potion with her on vacation. She had intended on taking a week at the burrow, a week with her parents, and then returning the final week to finish up grading the mid-terms… but she still didn’t like leaving a stack of work on her desk. It made her nervous when things weren’t completed, and she knew that she if she didn’t dwindle it down at least marginally, that she would spend all vacation stressing about what she left behind.

Hermione was thankful that she got spared being a chaperon at the dance tonight, and set to work. The hours flew by, and she was happy with the progress she had made. As she left her classroom, and locked the doors behind her, she heard a small sound come from the dungeon stairwell. Stopping in the middle of the dark hall, Hermione stood quietly, waiting to hear the sound again. When it came again, and this time louder, she crept to the stairs and looked up.

What she saw left her standing there with her mouth gaping open. A male student was leaning against the banister with his pants around his ankles, while a female student knelt in front of him, sucking his cock.

A bright light appeared directly to her right, and she jumped back into a wall, with a high pitched squeal. The wall turned out to be Draco, who made no move to back up from her body, which was flush with his own. His hand had reflexively grabbed her hip when she hit him, and it burned hot through her robes.

Leaning around her he yelled, “Hey! Get back to your dorms! 200 points from the house cup!”

The students jumped, as if electrocuted. The girl immediately dashed up the stairs, without so much as a look over her shoulder to see if the boy she was with was following. The boy, on the other hand, was having a little difficulty getting himself situated, and comically stumbled up the stairs on the heels of the fleeing girl.

“So, voyeurism Granger? I’m shocked.” He said into her ear as his fingers unconsciously rubbed her hip.

“What? No! Gross Malfoy! I.. I was just shocked that’s all. I can’t believe the students would engage in that kind of… of activity, in the hallways of the school!” She stammered, completely flustered from the whole event, but not moving from her spot against his chest.

Draco notice her lingering near him about the same time he realized what his hand was doing. Gritting his teeth, he took a step back from her and quickly adjusted himself as she turned to face him.

“You mean to tell me you never engaged in that ‘activity’, as you call it, while you were in school?”

Looking completely appalled, she replied “Of course not! It’s against the rules! Not to mention completely wrong!”

Draco smirked and leaned in close to her. “Well, it appears that someone needs to teach you a lesson in sexual exploration.”

Hermione’s eyes snapped to his, her glare practically burned holes in him. Without saying a word she walked around him, and headed swiftly down the hall to the portrait door. It took everything she had not to run. Her heart was fluttering in her chest, and she felt completely embarrassed. She quickly murmured the password, and entered the room, shutting the portrait behind her.

Draco stood in the hallway with a grin on his face. He had gotten under her skin, and her reaction was very entertaining. With a low chuckle, he sauntered down the hall, toward their common room. He knew he wouldn’t be seeing her for the rest of the night. He was amazed that the bad mood that had hung over him all week had vanished with one interaction with Hermione. Still grinning, he entered the common room, and prepared to turn in for the night.

********

Hermione sat on the vanity chair, pushing the last few bobby-pins into the her hair. Turning her from side to side, she looked at the French twist she had created and shrugged her shoulders. ‘Good enough’, she thought, standing and slipping on her low black heels. Coming to stand in front of the mirror, she assessed her appearance.

The burgundy dress she was wearing was simple, but hugged her curves in a feminine way. The front and back dipped low, but not in an way that made her uncomfortable. The hem came mid-thigh, and she thought it looked rather nice on her. She had bought the dress for the Ministry Christmas party last year, but chose to wear something different when the night came around.

She avoided Draco all day, which wasn’t too hard. She just holed up in her office and graded more mid-terms. What he said had shocked her, and she just didn’t know what to say. She hated that he had gotten the upper-hand on her, and all attempts at coming up with a scathing remark on the subject came up short.

Leaving the room, she quickly made her way to the teacher’s lounge. The party was already in full swing when she walked through the door. Many of the teachers were gathered in small groups talking and laughing, and appeared to be having a good time. Hermione quickly made her rounds, stopping to say hello to the different groups of teachers. Spotting Neville by the punch bowl, Hermione smiled and made her way over to him.

“The place looks great!” She said, admiring the tree in the corner, and holly strung around the room.

“Oh, thanks. I didn’t decorate though. Just provided the plants.” He said, giving her a hug and handing her a glass of punch.

“Oh, thank you.” She said, taking the offered glass. “So what are you plans for the holiday?”

Gently taking her arm, Neville led her to a quiet area close to the partition that separated two sides of the room. The doors that were normally closed, were propped open to allow more room for the party. “Well, the minute I get done with the party, I’m walking off the grounds and apparating home. Trevor is already there waiting for me. The school he teaches at got out on Wednesday.” He said, beaming.

Hermione nodded as she took a sip of her drink. Gasping she sputtered, “Ugh, what is in that?”

“Probably a quart of fire whiskey. Every year the teachers gather together to celebrate Christmas, and get completely smashed.” Gesturing to the groups of people, he said, “See, most of them are already half lit. I guarantee in about 20 minutes, Professor Trelawny will be all over Professor Vector. It’s the most disgusting thing I’ve ever seen. Take a few more sips, the burning goes away after you kill the taste buds.”

Grimacing, she looked down at her drink, and decided to just hold on to it for now. “I can’t believe that the teachers do this every year… It’s too disturbing to think about.”

“I know what you mean, I had the same reaction the first year I came to the party.” Spotting a hulking figure across the room, Neville turned to Hermione, “I’ll be right back, I need to talk to Hagrid before I leave.”

“Alright.” She said with a smile. “I think I’ll just blend in here.”

Giving her a devilish smile and a wink he said, “It’s going to be hard blending in in that dress,” and walked away.

Hermione looked down at her dress and furrowed her brow. ’It’s not too bad. He must be overreacting. She mused, stepping out away from the wall. Professor Trelawny came barreling towards her, and before Hermione had a chance to get out of the way, she knocked her into the doorway, as she went from one side of the room, to the other.

Huffing, Hermione brushed at the punch that had sloshed on her dress and turned around to see Professor Trelawny throwing her arms around Professor Vector’s neck and snogging him mercilessly.

“That has to be the most disturbing thing I’ve ever seen.” Came a deep voice next to her.

Rolling her eyes, she sighed and turned toward him. He was leaning against the door frame opposite her, wearing an all black suit, that looked wonderful on him. “What, no comments on voyeurism?”

“If you get off watching that,” He said gesturing toward the snogging couple, “then there’s something wrong with you.”

Hermione cracked a smile and shook her head. Feeling the drink in her hands, she felt the need to occupy herself, and took a long gulp from the glass. Bringing the cup down from her face, Draco laughed at her expression.

“To strong for you Granger?”

“I think it’s too strong for a giant.” She said, making another face at her glass, and setting it down by the door.

They turned their backs to the couple and watched the people on the other side of the room for a few moments.

After a few moments of silence, Hermione noticed him looking at her out of the corner of his eye, and turned to face him. “What?” She asked, putting her hand on her hip.

Leaning off the door frame, he turned to her and blatantly looked her over. “I was just looking at your dress, that’s all.”

“Why is everyone enamored with this dress?”

Shrugging, he looked at it again. “Probably because it looks nice on you.”

Standing there, she looked at him as if he had just grown two heads. “Was that a complement?”

“Well… yes, I suppose it was. The dress does look nice on you. There. It was as complement. Don’t get too excited.” He replied, flashing her an amused smile

“My, my, the world must be freezing over!”

Draco laughed, and then paused for a moment. He looked up, then looked back down at her. “Did you notice what was above us?”

Hermione looked above their heads, and paled when she saw the mistletoe hanging on the doorframe above them. Clearing her throat, she shook her head. “I hadn’t seen it till now.”

Moving closed to her with each word, he said “It’s bad luck not to kiss under the mistletoe you know.”

Hermione was rooted in place, and looked at him wide-eyed. The sound of someone calling her name broke the trance, and she looked away. Neville was calling her, and tapping his watch at the same time. Swallowing hard, she looked back to Draco, who was just mire inches away from her. “I should go to him, he has to leave.” She whispered, biting her lip.

Nodding, he reached out and took her hand. Maintaining eye contact, he brought it up, and kissed the back of her hand tenderly. “You’re free to go.” He said, taking a step back.

Everything in her body shouted at her to just say to hell with it, and throw her arms around his neck. Hearing her name called again, she groaned, and slowly pulled her hand from his grasp. She gave him a shaky smile, then walked away.

“Walk with me.” Neville said, hooking her arm around his.

They left the party, and headed down the corridor to the exit. Hermione could still feel the burning blush on her cheeks, and waited for him to say something about it.

“You know, I think my first assumption was wrong.”

“What assumption would that be?” She asked looking at him out of the corner of her eye.

“I think that old McGonagall was playing match-maker when she put you two together.” He replied, shooting her a scandalous smile.

“Match-maker? Malfoy and me? Alright, you have officially lost your mind.”

Neville nodded, and sighed. “It’s not so crazy you know. And the chemistry between you! I felt the fire from across the room! I wouldn’t have called your name if you hadn’t looked so terrified though. He’s a good match for you Hermione… I just never realized it before.”

Hermione was silent as they kept walking to the doors. Once they got to the exit, Neville reached in his pocket, and enlarged the winter coat he had shrunken before going to the party. She watched as he slipped it on, then decided to answer. “I don’t know… we have these… intense moments, that make me light headed. I never had that with Ron, and the feeling is overwhelming sometimes.”

“It’s called passion, and it’s what makes a relationship last. Not to mention hot.” He said with a longing smile. “Now I must go to my hot, passionate other half, before I spontaneously combust.”

Hermione gave him a big hug and kissed his cheek. “I’ll see you in a few weeks. Have a Happy Christmas.”

Opening the doors, he pulled the coat tight around his body. “Oh I will. You try to do the same.” With a final wave, he shut the door behind him.

With a shiver, she turned around and headed back to the common room. She decided that she had enough of the party, and was ready for some peace and quiet. During the walk, she thought about the things Neville had said, and the interactions she had been having with Draco recently. When she pulled the portrait open, she noticed the object of her thoughts sitting in the chair near the fireplace, staring at the fire.

He looked over at her, and they held each others eyes for a moment. Draco sighed, and got up from the chair. He nodded at her, then headed toward his room.

Remembering something, Hermione called out to him. “Oh, Draco wait. I have something for you.” She turned and ran into her room.

Draco stopped and turned. He was curious as to what she had. He fleetingly wondered if she would come back in the room and hex him into oblivion for accosting her at the party. When she came back into the room, he breathed a little sigh of relief to see a small wrapped package in her hand. She had gotten him a present.

He tried not to smile, but found that it was too hard, and went with it. She walked over to him, and handed him the small gift, smiling back. It was wrapped in shiny silver paper, and tied with a green bow. The colors didn’t go unacknowledged, and he snickered and shook his head.

“Well, open it already! I know my wrapping skills are to be admired, but it’s what’s inside that counts.” She said, practically bouncing on the balls of her feet.

Draco snapped the bow, and tore the paper off, stuffing them into his pocket. Removing the lid, he looked into the small box. He looked questioningly at the contents. He had never seen a stone like that before. It was oval in shape, and polished smooth. The colors were the most remarkable thing about it. It was deep blue, and had silver strands running through it. Reaching in, he picked up the stone, and noticed that it was a pendant, attached to a long silver chain. Holding the stone in his hand, he ran his thumb across the surface of the pendent. The colors swirled together in a beautiful dance.

Running his thumb across it again, he gasp when he realized what he was holding.

“How… ?” Was all he could ask, looking up at her.

She smiled, “When you told me about your problem with the boggart, I remembered something I had read in one of your books. I couldn’t figure out why you had never made one for yourself, and went back to read the fine print. It said it would only work if it was created by someone with pure intentions. So, I made it for you… with only pure intentions.” She said, beaming at him.

Draco had to look away so she didn’t see the emotions run across his face. It was the most selfless thing anyone had ever done for him. She was right. He was very familiar with the spell. He had even tried it a few times. She had created a timortectum stone. It’s purpose was to conceal the fears of the person who wielded the stone, and project whatever the creator had infused into it as an alternative. The stones could be used to confuse a boggart, and also protect someone from mind invasion. It took a lot of concentration, and a great amount of heavy magic to create. The fact that he was holding one in his hands, stunned and amazed him.

“Thank you.” He rasped, clutching the pendent in his hand.

Hermione smiled, “Your welcome.” Leaning in, she place a kiss on his cheek and turned to leave.

“Wait… what does it project in place of the original fear?” He asked, looking up at her.

She stopped in the doorway and turned around. “Oh, you’ll just have to try it out and see. I don‘t think you‘ll have a problem finding it ridiculous.” Smiling at him one last time, she shut her door, and headed to bed.

Draco looked back down at the pendent, then slipped the chain around his neck. The stone fell mid-sternum, and he reached up to touch the stone again. Clutching it in his hand, he decided that he needed to test it out.

Leaving the room, he made his way to his classroom. Once inside, he flicked his wand, and levitated the dark mahogany wardrobe, that contained the boggart, in front of him. His mind flashed back to the year he tried to teach the lesson. He wasn’t lying when he told Hermione that what came out of the box never should have been seen by the students. Standing in front of the shaking wardrobe, he remembered in detail what was shown to him.

He had been cocky during the lesson, not expecting to be shocked into a stupor. Snapping the lock off, he used his wand to open the doors. The boggart came out and instantly changed. The fear and denial shook his body as he stood, staring at his father. In his hand was a large, angry looking knife and he was covered in dark splatters of blood. Around Lucius’s feet were pieces of what looked like a mutilated human body. The Lucius boggart pointed at Draco with the knife. “Look at your mother! It’s all your fault! You are a terrible child! I should have strangled you as an infant! You‘ve never done anything right!”

The screaming continued as Draco stood still, shaking his head, and chanting, “No, no, no…” Many students fled the room, terrified. Only one of them had been smart enough to get another teacher for help.

Draco shook his head, and swallowed the memory. Clutching the stone again, he took a deep breath, and flicked his wand at the lock. He stood with his mouth hanging open for a moment, then burst into hysterical laughter. A bright pink blob of sludge sat in the middle of the floor. Tears streamed out of his eyes as he tried to form the word riddickulus between laughs and gasps for air. He knew at that moment, that Hermione Granger was a genius.

********

Morning came, and Hermione finished putting the last few items in her clothes chest. Shrinking it, she place it in her pocket, and slipped on her coat. Looking around the room one more time, she decided that she hadn’t left anything behind, and headed to the main hall.

When she got to the doors, she saw Draco leaning against the wall. She had thought that he was already gone when she got up, and was surprised to see him waiting for her. He gave her a small smile, and pushed the door open, gesturing for her to go out first. Once outside, Hermione zipped her coat all the way, and pulled her gloves over her hands.

The fierce wind stung her cheeks as they walked silently next to each other. The only sound that could be heard was the crunching of the snow under their feet. Reaching the gates, he opened them, and allowed her to exit first again. Now that they were off of Hogwarts’ grounds, they were free to apparate wherever they needed to go.

Feeling like he had something he wanted to say, she took a few steps into the clearing, and turned to face him. He reached into his long, black, wool coat, and removed a package. He took a few steps toward her, and place the gift in her hands.

“I wanted to thank you for the gift. It was the nicest thing anyone has ever given me.” He held her gloved hands in his own for a moment longer, then nodded and took a step back. With a final look, he disappeared with a large ‘crack’.

Hermione looked down at the package in her hand. From the size and weight, she knew it was a book. She smiled, the gift was wrapped in golden paper, and tied with a burgundy bow. The colors didn’t go unnoticed by her either.

Snapping off the bow, she tore the paper. A letter was attached to the front of the book:

I found this book and thought that it might help you with your ‘problem’.

Flipping the letter up, she read the title, Evolutionary Principles of Human Adolescence, by Glenn E. Weisfeld. She giggled, then felt something else under the book. It was another, much thinner book, that also had a note attached to the front:

And if that doesn’t work, you could always use this...

She laughed out loud when she flipped the note up. The title of the other book was 101 Ways to Get Rid of a Body, by Daisy R. Pusher.

********

Draco stood in front of the gates to Malfoy Manor. He paced back and forth for a moment, shaking his head, angry with himself. He stopped pacing, and appeared to have reached a decision. Quickly he turned and apparated again, with a loud ‘crack’.

He landed right where he had left, and saw her gasp and look up at him. She had opened his presents and was giving him the most radiant smile. She opened her mouth to say something, but whatever it was, never passed her lips. It took him two steps to reach her, his hand cupping her cheek as his lips crashed down onto hers. His other hand wound around her waist, and he pulled her against him.

Momentarily startled, Hermione dropped the books in the snow. She felt like she couldn’t breath, as his lips moved over hers. Her head swooned when his tongue caressed her bottom lip. She gasped into his mouth, and began kissing him back with equal fervor. Her arms circled his neck, and she went onto her toes to push her whole body against his. He groaned, and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her tighter against him. Hermione moaned low in her throat as his tongue swept into her mouth, and he kissed her deeper. She could feel his hands moving the span of her back, his fingers just brushing the top of her jeans. She ran her hands through his hair, and along the ridges of his shoulders.

Breaking the kiss, Draco put his forehead against hers, and they both panted in unison. He loosened his grip around her, and took a small step back. Hermione placed a hand on his chest to balance herself, as she came down off her toes. They looked at each other, both flushed, and breathing hard.

Draco put his hand over hers, and removed it gently from his chest. Leaning over, he placed a sweet, gentle kiss on her lips. “Merry Christmas Hermione.” He whispered, as he dropped her hand. Taking a step back, he looked at her one more time, then disappeared with a ’crack’.

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A/N: Okay, I know this is really long, but I didn't want to break it up into two chapters. The word timortectum is one that I made up by combining two latin words, timor means object causing fear, and tectum means to conceal, bury, hide, protect, or shield. The first book I mention (the psych book), is real, so I thought I would give it credit... the second I made up. lol

To ilke: I have to admit that I put the Dickens in there because he's one of my favorites... so I was completely biased. And I had a fleeting thought of making the boggart be McGonagall in a g-string, holding a bullwhip... that could be his worst fear... you never know. ;-)

Thanks to all that reviewed!!