No Longer Helpless

Chapter Nine
Hermione’s New Shadow

Arriving at the Quidditch pitch, Hermione was positively fuming. Who did he think he was? Scolding her like that?

As they walked through the entrance’s underpass she stopped, ready to round on him. Then walked again trying to think of something better to say.

Upon the third time she did this Draco quipped in with a nudge to her back, “Granger, get moving or I’ll carry you the rest of the way.”

“Who do you think you are?” She couldn’t imagine where he got off giving her orders. Though, she didn’t realize it she had begun walking forward at a slightly faster pace.

“Just the messenger, so don’t shoot,” he said lamely, following right behind.

Moody was nowhere in sight and they stood in the middle of the large stadium, centerfield.

She never realized just how huge it was, several times the size of a football field in length and width. The sun shone warm rays down onto the clean cut greener than green grass, making it feel like the hot summer day that it was.

They stood there for few minutes in silence. While she began to feel the heat, she glanced at Malfoy wearing a rich green cloak, the hem slightly caked with mud. She didn’t know how he could stand to be wearing the garment, not now anyway.

Before she could dwell on what Malfoy was dressed in for too long, a thought occurred to her. She needed to know what had happened for the whole day she couldn’t remember. “Malfoy,” she began, but was unsure how to finish, since it seemed a touchy subject from the way Harry and Ron had acted.

“Yes Granger. I am Malfoy. It’s no wonder how you passed each year, with such clever observations,” he remarked sarcastically when she failed to finish her sentence.

Turning to face him she glared fiercely, never deterred by the fact that she had to angle her chin up rather high just to meet his gaze. Then she smirked at him, suddenly remembering the way he had been avoiding her eyes at the meeting, he didn’t want her to know anything. “What happened that I can’t remember?” she asked evenly, never blinking.

Flinching ever so slightly, Draco did all he could to keep the slight color from tingeing his cheeks. Perhaps she did know and was asking just to torment him. Either she remembered or tweedle dumb and dumber had told her in a more than likely a distorted version. He quirked an eyebrow and gave her his best playboy look. “Please spare me your attachments, Granger. It meant nothing.”

Blushing slightly, Hermione wanted to kick herself. She’d just thought about how cute he looked, how could she? It was such a bad thought, and yet so true. Furrowing her brows and biting her bottom lip, a little harder than she meant to, she continued to glare up at him. “Just what is that supposed to mean?”

Grinning, he couldn’t help but play a little. He also couldn’t help the thought that Granger’s lip was slightly more red and plump from biting it, making it look like she’d just been thoroughly kissed. Ignoring the next image in his head that came after that, suffice to say it included a far more distressed little witch who had done a bit more than kissing, he stepped closer to her and bent down slightly.

“Come now Granger, use that pretty little head of yours and think about it. Surely, you can’t be that naïve.” Not knowing what made him do it, he reached out cupping her chin, and ran his thumb across her bottom lip. A shiver ran through him as he felt how warm and soft it was.

Hermione opened her mouth slightly, partly because she gasped in surprise and partly because it felt like the right thing to do. While she was trying to keep focus, she was harboring the most misplaced thoughts, some of which involved pulling him in closer so she could simply breathe in that scent again.

Malfoy was still grinning. He was playing with her. This brought her feet back to the ground, as anger took over. Her eyes danced with fire. This was a game that two could play.

Softening her eyes, she dropped her lids slightly, seductively. Putting her dignity on the line in hopes of winning the battle, she let out a small moan, just enough for him to hear. The sudden dilation of his pupils egged her on, and caused her to do something she would never admit to. Leaning forward, slightly, she opened her mouth more to suck and nibble on his thumb.

‘Merlin’s beard!’ His mind was racing, as blood rushed to his head, in more ways than one. He gripped her chin more firmly, tilting her head up as he cast so many of his principles and cautions to the wind.

It was only a short distance between them. He needed only to close the small gap, just one quick motion. Though he’d deny it later, he wanted to do it terribly.

He stooped to take and claim her lips for his own, but stopped as the sudden presence of Moody made both of them round about, turning from each other, blushing ever so slightly.

‘That didn’t just happen!’ was the thought they both shared.

Suddenly finding it far too hot, Draco discarded his cloak as Moody approached. There seemed a slight spring to the auror’s usual limp. As the older man approached his mismatched eyes remained fixed on Hermione, it was clear his first words were to be to her.

Once within a fair distance Moody asked rather quickly, “Miss Granger, did you manage to read the book from Dumbledore?”

It seemed an odd question to her, one that didn’t require her to come all the way out here to be answered. “No sir,” she answered truthfully. Hardly caring that having not done so was most out of character for her. It wasn’t as though it was her homework, although now that she considered it, it was probably far more important than that.

Without missing a beat, Moody pressed on. “And, have you given any thought to becoming an auror?”

Now she started to feel guilty, she hadn’t taken anytime to mull over the information and choices presented to her. She lowered her head slightly and gave the same response, “No sir.”

“Miss Granger,” the dedicated, if only slightly obsessive auror, started with clear dissatisfaction in his voice, “just what have you done since our last meeting?”

“Well,” sneered Draco, unsure as to why he was saying it, almost in defense of the stupid girl, “It couldn’t possibly have been anything along the lines of dealing with the loss of a pair of damnable muggles, now could it, old man?”

Her eyes widened in shock, and surprisingly, laughter. Having caught her unexpected like that, she couldn’t hide all of it and had to cover her mouth to stifle the rest. Though a part of her was angry at his casual reference to her parents’ death, she knew that had not been the focus of his comment and let it slide beneath her mirth.

Oh, how Draco wanted to try that again, the next time involving him being silent and not seemingly coming to her rescue. Why did he do such rash things more increasingly around Granger? Now he could say goodbye to any breaks that day, possibly even week. There would be no end to Moody’s increased drilling.

Unless… there was a hope, though he wasn’t sure it was a trade off for the better. If Granger accepted training too, then Moody would go easy on her at first, which would in turn apply to him, maybe. Moody’s immediate reaction was not what he had been expecting.

“Yes, well, we have all lost a lot.” While set on his own agenda, his next words were sincere as could be. “There comes a time when we have to let go and carry on for the sake of something bigger than ourselves. It hurts to lose someone you love, especially when your own actions are so closely tied in.”

His reference hit home with her, sobering her up quicker than Madame Pomfrey’s hangover potion. “Professor,” she was unable to get out anymore. The conversation had taken a quick turn for the serious and heavy.

It was imperative to sway Hermione in the right direction. She had to accept training, for her own safety as much as anyone else’s. “I know what it feels like,” Moody admitted, walking the line between the strict and slightly paranoid auror most people knew and the man he’d once been who very few remembered. He left his statement open for assumptions and interpretations, not willing or wanting to divulge any more than that. “While I would think it best for you to fully understand the situation you’re in before making any decisions, I can only see one right choice. Accept this willingly and not only can you flourish in a most respected field, but you can save lives. Think of Harry and Ron. You want to protect what you still have, don’t you?”

Hermione had grown rather solemn, Draco noticed. Moody’s words, while true, had gone too far in the blonde’s opinion. This was no longer a choice for her, not once he mentioned Weasel-bee and Scar-head. Put the word ‘protect’ in the same sentence as their names and you might as well say, ‘If you don’t train, Potter and co. will die without your help.’

It was definitely a low blow, one that even he as a Slytherin would not have used to sway her decision. There were no words he could use in her defense. In all honesty, even if there were, he wouldn’t have used them. If she trained with him, he wouldn’t have to carry this burden or secret alone. As much as he hated the idea of Granger being his partner, he was subconsciously desperate for any form of companionship.

The acceptance he had over Granger being with him was reasoned as something along the lines of, ‘At least I won’t suffer alone, now the know-it-all will wake at dawn and work tirelessly too.’

After a few moments of silence, Hermione had made her decision.

She was still wondering where all this had come from. Wondering over the idea that she could be an auror at such a young age.

“I don’t know what happened yesterday, and truthfully I’m not sure I want to know.” She paused, raising her head to look Moody in the eyes. “You have so much confidence in abilities I know nothing about having, in some respects that’s quite flattering. Now however, I just have to say something I’ve been feeling for some time. If there is so much hope for me to aide in winning this war, then we’ve been fairing worse in this fight than I thought.”

She was thinking about her feelings from before, that no one seemed to take things as serious as they were, no one seemed to realize there was an actual war going on out there Not many seemed to understand what true evil meant, not even herself until recently.

Her words struck both of them to attention. ‘Where had that come from?’ Draco wondered, part of him beginning to support the idea of Hermione saying ‘yes’ for his admiration in the sheer profoundness of her words.

Moody sighed, “Girly, you have no idea the truth you speak.”

She scoffed, her mood having become coldly detached, in a most serious and forthright way. “Then, we should begin.”

The mentor of the two youngest aurors in training nodded approvingly. Castor and Galloway would certainly meet their match. Granger had already surpassed lesson one, masking emotions. Her face and voice betrayed nothing at the moment. Just like last night. Though, he was positive Malfoy would probably be able to rile her up, all she’d need would be some practice.

They began by running. Moody had informed her that the physical condition for a young and inexperienced auror was everything. What they lacked for in knowledge and experience they would have to make up for in ability.

Though she had been reluctant and protesting of Moody’s words, he assured her that she was capable of more than she knew. Draco was in far better shape than she was, holding a steady pace much faster than her own as they ran the oval shaped pitch.

Truly feeling like a winded bookworm who didn’t get nearly enough exercise, she was spurred on by the steadily distancing form of Malfoy. There was no doubt in her mind that at this point he out ranked her in physical fitness, but if she had anything to do about it, she’d catch up as quickly as possible and beat him.

This spark of competitive spirit was exactly what Moody had been expecting, knowing full well the history between the two. He watched as she jogged along, gasping for air but not missing a stride. Mind over matter, she trekked along determined to catch up, or rather when they were closer to the end, not to be lapped. There was no wand at her disposal for the present, but Dumbledore assured him there was a small secret in the making. They couldn’t very well work on triggering and releasing her Angelus’ abilities, not with out her having read the book and coming into them more naturally. That only left a few options.

An hour later, when Hermione seemed ready to pass out or throw up, possibly both, he called an end to their warm up. “We’ll work on flying,” he announced. Glaring at Draco as the boy rolled his eyes.

Dobby had brought them cold bottles of water, and Hermione gulped gratefully, careful not to drink too much all at once. Upon hearing Moody’s announcement though, she choked and began coughing.

Draco had rolled his eyes, still not seeing the point to becoming a better flyer, as it didn’t seem to have anything to do with being an auror.

Regaining her composure, and once again having her breath at a calm pace for the first time in over an hour, she asked incredulously, “Flying? I can’t fly. What does that have to do with being an auror anyway?”

Furrowing his brows, Draco ignored the thought that great minds think alike, and turned to Hermione. “What do you mean you can’t fly?”

Hermione in turn looked at him as though he’d asked the reasoning behind simple addition. “Just what I said Malfoy. Didn’t know you were so thick. You might give Crabbe and Goyle a run for their money.”

“It’s not important,” Moody snapped at Draco, giving him a look that conveyed a clear message, ‘Drop it unless you want to tell her all about your escapades together.’

Snapping his mouth shut, a retort hanging off his tong, he looked away and defiantly crossed his arms. He had known what Granger meant, but he still didn’t understand how it could be possible. For one thing, everyone could fly. For another, no one who flew like she had yesterday, could suddenly not be able to the next day. He didn’t care that the kitten from yesterday and the girl before him now were practically two different people.

Moody did a quick ‘accio brooms’ and they were ready to begin. Draco mounted his and hovered with an ease that showed he could probably fly in his sleep. Hermione on the other hand stood firmly rooted, holding the broom vertically like it was only meant for sweeping.

“Come along now Granger,” Moody said. The lesson couldn’t begin unless she at least attempted to mount the thing.

“I can’t fly,” she stated simply.

“Everyone can fly you winded twit, now get on the damn broom!” snapped Draco. His words were not received well, as Hermione shot daggers at him with her eyes. The fire that burned within those eyes actually made him wary of going too far. But, he was still a bit miffed at the incident from before Moody had arrived. The wench had caused him to lose control of his own game and of himself. Most of the running had helped to calm him and sort out his anger, but he was still spurned.

“I’m afraid to fly,” she finally admitted, eyes cast to the ground.

“That’s no matter. Lots of people are afraid of heights,” consoled a slightly impatient Moody.

“I’m not acrophobic sir, in fact I rather enjoy heights. It’s the falling that scares me. And this thing,” she thrust forth the broom, “isn’t exactly the safest device, as it does nothing to keep you on.”

Moody’s good eye almost seemed to twinkle as the Headmaster’s had a habit of doing. “I promise you that even if you did fall, you’d be fine.”

Reluctantly, Hermione got on and kicked off. Flying was easy enough for her, but once she got up high enough she couldn’t help but think about the fall down.

Draco couldn’t help himself. Half promising this was the last of his anger, just one more jest. He flew up beside her and patted her on the back. “Don’t worry Granger. The fall is nothing to fear.”

She looked at him shocked.

Smirking, he added, “It’s the landing that’ll kill you.” Then he flew away, hearing her shout something about being an ‘insufferable prat’.

Another hour later, Hermione had moved along to practicing basic drills that the Quidditch teams worked on. Though she wasn’t one hundred percent comfortable, she had improved quite a bit and didn’t hesitate in anything. Naturally, her skills were practically nonexistent. The next time she looked to the ground, she saw another figure running to the middle of the pitch.

The purple hair gave it away. Tonks was here meeting Moody. Quickly, she descended. Draco seemed to have the same idea and followed closely.

Once they had dismounted and met a disgruntled Moody and worrisome Tonks, they waited for whatever news might be broken.

“We’re done for today,” Moody said quickly. “Not much to work on. Granger, be sure to have that book read by tomorrow.”

She nodded, wondering if she should ask what was going on. But, it might have been Tonks’ assignment, in which case it was none of her business. So instead, before Moody could rush off she asked, “Can I visit home again?”

His magic eye swiveled on her with his back turned. “What?”

The tone in his voice held a stern reprimand that made her fear she’d done something most terrible. “There are some things I’d like to take care of.”

“Granger, you…” The girl didn’t know about the bounty out for her. Voldemort was desperate to get a hold of her. And yet, there were laws preventing them from keeping her under house arrest at Hogwarts. It was a sticky situation. “Malfoy,” he said in a commanding tone, as though he were a Captain ordering his first in command. “You’re to be her Watcher. Shadow her and see you’re back by dinner.”

Draco made no complaints, no arguing, just a solid nod and understanding expression.

Hermione didn’t understand. This was Malfoy, the prince of Slytherin who didn’t take orders from anybody. ‘Oh well,’ she thought, ‘Weirder things have happened, I suppose. Though, I can’t name any.’

She had received the go ahead to visit her hometown again. She’d see Mia and find out what excuse was used to cover up her parents’ murder, then she’d make a few inquiries as to her financial situation. If they were back by dinner she’d have plenty of time to read about the Angelus. Now, however, she was going to take a shower and ask Dobby to clean her clothes. It was only noon, she judged. There was lots of time.

>>