Draco Get's His

Chapter 8

Hermione absently twirled her spaghetti with her fork, letting the conversations around her flow as quiet background noise. It had taken time for her to accept her parents’ death. She’d made her peace with it, it had been war after all. Unfortunately her heart still pained her for even if her mind found the truth logical it still hurt. And she wasn’t the only one to lose a parent or parents though she was the only one to have muggle papers writing it off as a home invasion instead of what it had been: an execution by Death eaters for producing a muggleborn child. She really hoped whoever it had been, had died horribly.

She was certain that some in Gryffindor and the other houses felt she blamed the
children of Death eaters as responsible but it couldn’t be further for the truth. She was no hypocrite, and the fact remained that the Slytherins and other students who had those kinds of parents, seemed to have developed a heart while at school. Parkinson and Nott had slowly learned not to sneer at her and mock her muggleborn status. In fact, out of all of them, Malfoy had been the only one left and he too seemed to have learned...with a little help.

She always frowned whenever she thought about it. Yes, Malfoy was a beast of a boy who deserved a good talking to and needed to learn to respect others but spanking? She wasn’t completely alright with that. But what was done was done. And it had mellowed him out quite a little bit so maybe for him it helped.

The background noise had ground to a halt and with a frown she turned to see everyone staring in shock. Frowning, she looked over her shoulder and jumped to see Draco Malfoy standing behind her with his head down and what could only be described as a contrite expression on his face. At the Professor’s table, every one of them had frozen in shock, Dumbledore leaning back and his eyes twinkling merrily.

Ginny slowly raised her eyebrows as the proud Slytherin knelt down, pulling a slip of parchment out of his robes with slightly shaking hands. Students at the farthest sides of the Hall stood up on the benches so they could see. Clearing his throat nervously,” I wanted to be sure I remembered everything so I wrote it down.” Hermione just blinked at him,” I, Draco Lucien Black Malfoy, wish to formally apologize for every insult I have ever made against you, Hermione Jane Granger. You are in fact exceedingly beautiful, your hair gorgeous waves of chestnut curls, your body curvy in all the right places that make most men of this school drool and the girls jealous...” Hermione blushed scarlet as he continued on and on, retracting every insult in exchange for praise.

Harry was sporting a rather proud smirk while Ginny had slapped a hand over her face long ago to muffle her giggles at Hermione’s embarrassed expression. But she could see the clever girl was also exceedingly pleased and preening under the blond’s attentions. And that started her thinking. Ron looked sick.

Letting the parchments slip from his fingers, reaching out to tentatively clasp each of her hands and relieved when she didn’t jerk away from him in repulsion,” I am so sorry for what I’ve said against you. And I vow to never say any word save muggleborn again.” He looked down for a moment before looking up and meeting her chocolate brown eyes,” I only ask for your forgiveness. Please...” He leaned forward to kiss her hands gently, climbing to his feet and backing away slowly, posture slightly slouched before turning on his heel and leaving the hall.

Ron made a gagging noise, grunting when Ginny slammed him in the side with her elbow. Hermione stayed still for several long moments, staring at the spot where Draco had been, body language screaming repentant distress, head down. She blinked slowly before turning back to her meal, not saying a word.

Snape lost his hold on his fork, the utensil clanging to the plate before slipping to the ground and the potions master didn’t even notice. He was too busy staring at the entrance to the Great Hall and silently demanding that his real godson appear. That was not the boy that he knew. Remus shook his head, sipping his tea,” It’s about time he figured that out.”

Head snapping around to glare at the Defense Professor,” What are you insinuating, Lupin?”

Glancing at Severus and sighing to himself, studying his plate,” Nothing.” He sulkingly went back to his dinner, sipping tea and avoiding all eye contact.

Minerva rolled her eyes and carefully cut into her chicken. Severus intimidated many people, both students and professors but she was certainly not afraid of him,” He is insinuating that Mr. Malfoy has had feelings for Miss Granger for years and it’s nice that he’s finally realized it.”

Sputtering,” W-wha-that’s...that’s...”

Sending him a sideways glare,” Oh grow up, Severus.”

Albus stroked his beard,” Besides which, you should be pleased, Minerva.”

The Transfiguration Professor looked innocently at the Headmaster,” Whatever do you mean, Head-master?”

Blue eyes twinkling playfully as he chuckled,” I believe you’ve won the betting pool.”

Snape’s eyes widened as he growled,” What pool?”

Waving her hand absently, smirking to Dumbledore,” That Mr. Malfoy would confront his feelings before the end of seventh year. Well, my bet was for seventh year...” Grinning teasingly down at Hooch,” I believe Madam Hooch bet for when hell froze over.”

Gaping,” And just whom participated in this absurd...” He trailed off as everyone at the table guiltily and not so guiltily raised their hand, including Albus. Throwing down his napkin in disgust, he stalked out the back and therefore missed the next set of events. Owls, ten of them, swooped through the Hall, leaving a trail of flowers and chocolates in their wake.