Shifting the Balance

Chapter 8

(AUTHORS NOTE: I’m really happy that so many people find the time to review this story. And it gives me joy that many people seem to like it!! It’s m first real fanfic, that is submitted at least. And I really must give my beta Oli much credit! It’s amazing how fast my chapters are beta’d! But if people still find some misspelled words, please show me by reviewing and I’ll try to correct them.

Lots of love to all DM/HG fans out there!!!)


~Don’t leave Notes ~



Hermione woke the next morning. She hadn’t slept well at all.

The images of Malfoy and last night were in the back of her mind the whole time.


She got up from her bed and made her way to the bathroom. She really looked forward to a shower.
Maybe it would clear her mind a bit she thought, while she pulled her old t-shirt over her head.


Walking past the mirror in the bathroom Hermione halted. She turned towards the mirror and looked at herself in only shorts.

Her breasts were small, but evenly shaped. She didn’t find her breast too bad.


Slowly her hands went to her chest and took a hold of them.
She let her fingers stroke them and she shivered when she touched her own nipples.


The image of Malfoy gazing at her lustfully came back to her.
She remembered his choked expression when he stepped back as well.

Hermione froze and put her hands down. She giggled a little in shame.


“Don’t be silly.” She whispered to her self. She walked towards the shower and switched it on.

***


Hermione came out of her quarters and trotted down the stairs.


When her door slammed shut, she heard an odd ruffling noise.


Looking back, Hermione notices a small scroll attached to her door.


Quirking an eyebrow Hermione walked back up the stairs and took the scroll from her door.


When Hermione was in the common room she looked around, but he was no where in sight.


Hermione unfolded the scroll to find a few sentences in a neat handwriting.

Granger,
Stop asking questions about Lenn. You don’t have to think of him.
I have nothing to do with his condition or his hospitalization.
Your meddlesome ways start to irritate me.
Just stop it.

The note wasn’t signed. But is didn’t need to.

She knew who it was from.

Hermione blinked a couple of times at the piece of paper.
He couldn’t be serious, could he?


Anger overpowered Hermione once again.
How could he possibly think this would be the end of it?

Hermione never felt so confused in her life. Last night came flooding back and it angered her beyond believe that she had let him touch her. She had let HIM TOUCH her!!

Hermione felt a bit nauseous. Better not think to much!

Hermione stomped off to breakfast.


***


In the Great Hall Hermione did her best to catch Malfoys eye.
But the bastard was doing a great job ignoring her.


He never glanced in her direction, holding his head down or talking to his cronies.

A real nasty feeling settled in her stomach. She wasn’t hungry.

Hermione went to Herbology early. And soon Harry and Ron arrived.


She smiled when they made it her way.


“Hey Hermione.” Ron greeted her. Harry said “hey” when he stopped in front of her.

Hermione’s scarf billowed in her face and she took it away. “Hey guys”.

“Are you managing all the extra work Hermione?” Harry asked “With the head position I mean.”

“Yes well, things aren’t coming along as quickly as I would like.” Hermione took a deep breath.

“But I really can’t complain. It could be a lot worse. Considering my partner!”

“Yeah, how is the old ferret!” Ron spat.

“I really don’t see him that much. I actually should talk to him about the upcoming Ball.”

“Yeah. The Ball. Who are you going with Hermione?” Harry looked up at her.

“ I haven’t really given it much thought.” Hermione glanced sideways towards Ron.
But Ron was staring into the distance.


“ I really don’t think I will have the time to take a date to the Ball.
I’m one of the organizers. I think I will have my hands full that evening.”


“Your probably right.” Harry said.


“I take it you two will take Ginny and Tamara?”
Ron’s head snapped up when his girlfriends name came up.


“Yes, I am taking Ginny.” Harry couldn’t suppress a grin.


Hermione laughed. “Tamara is coming with me.” Ron’s eyes glittered.


“But you could join us. I mean, when you have the time.” Harry begun.
Harry elbowed Ron in the side and gave him a meaningful look.

“Oh Yeah! Of course. Maybe one of us could dance with you, or something.” Ron sputtered.

“Well thanks guys. But I really don’t think I will have the time.” Hermione said in a confident voice.

Harry and Ron seemed to accept this. They turned when the Greenhouse door flew open and a class of fifth year Hufflepuffs dived out chatting avidly.

Ron and Harry walked into the greenhouse.


Hermione lingered back. Feeling a bit sorry for herself. The wind took up and leaves twirled around her feet. She looked down.


I haven’t got the time for dates and dances, she thought bitterly. She felt into her coat pocket, crushing Malfoy’s scroll in her hand.

Stop feeling sorry for yourself! Hermione berated herself.

She walked into the Greenhouse.


***


Hermione had no more classes today.


Better start with the homework for tomorrow she thought. Hermione made her way back up to her common room.

Entering the portrait hole she put her bag onto the couch and sat next to it, falling back into the cushy couch. Hermione took out her charms book and began to read the required chapter.

Softly the portrait door opened and Malfoy crept inside.

“Never get used to crawling onto a hole...stupid.... give me the dungeons anytime.” He muttered under his breath.


Hermione watched with amusement. But quickly got to her senses. She was still angry with him.


Grabbing the piece of parchment from her bag she walked over to Malfoy.



Malfoy looked up when Granger was walking to him.

“Great.”

Her face was an angry mask and Malfoy sneered at her.



“What could you possibly want now?” Malfoy drawled.



Hermione threw the piece of parchment into his face.


Malfoy looked shocked for a moment. His gaze following the little piece of paper fluttering to the ground.

When he looked up a nasty scowl was present on his face.


“What is the meaning of this!” Hermione bellowed pointing at the parchment on the ground.

“It’s a piece of paper.” Malfoy pointed out the obvious, a smile tugging on his lips.



“Don’t do THIS!” Hermione spat angrily. “Give me an answer Malfoy!”


“You know what it is!” Malfoy spat back.
He was getting tired of her already.

Hermione snatched the piece of parchment from the ground.

“This will not stop me Malfoy.” Her hand fisting the parchment and holding it in front of his face.

“I WILL get to the bottom of it. I WILL find out what you did to Lenn.”


“You will NEVER know ANYTHING!” Malfoy shouted back.
“I’ll never tell you.”

“I don’t need you to tell me ANYTHING! I will find out for myself.”


“Good luck with that, Granger. You wont get anywhere without me.’

“I’ll go to St Mungo’s!” She narrowed her eyes at him.
“I will go and see Lenn!”

“YOU WILL NOT!” Malfoy bellowed.
He inched closer to her.

“I won’t let you.” He whispered menacingly.


“You can’t stop me! I know you used dark magic on Lenn.”

Malfoy was face to face with her now.
“You don’t know anything.”

“I’m going to find out what spell you used. Was it something your father taught you Malfoy?” Hermione dared.

“My father is still in Azkaban. How very low to bring him up!” Malfoy spat vehemently.


“Just as low as what you did to Lenn.”


“Why do you care Granger! The idiot assaulted you!
Why the hell should you care!

That is unless you wanted him to fuck you!”


Hermione flinched at his words.


“Shut up Malfoy.”


Malfoy took a hold on her wrist. “That’s it, isn’t it Granger?”


Hermione narrowed her eyes again. “You’re delusional!”


“You want his filthy hands all over you. Don’t you?”


Malfoy took her wrist and made circling motions on the inside. Then pushed his fingernail into her flesh.


Hermione tensed.


“Stop it.”

“You want him to put his hands on your aching body.
To rub you in all the right places.” Malfoys stepped into her personal space.


“To make you shiver with delight. Make you wet.” He whispered into her ear.


“STOP IT!”

“What’s wrong Granger. Don’t you like it?”


Hermione snatched her hand away and glared at Malfoy.

“Get away from me!” Hermione whispered.

Malfoy didn’t move so Hermione stepped back.

“Don’t go near me.
Don’t even speak to me.”

Malfoy moved over to the window. Acting like he could care less about her words.

“Don’t leave notes.”

Malfoy turned to face her.

“And don’t ever touch me!”


Malfoy looked straight into her eyes.

Hermione looked away and turned to leave when his voice followed her.

“That's great Granger. But kind of difficult. We’re living in the same tower. We have to work together.
Or have you forgotten the Christmas Ball?”


Hermione turned to face him.
“We could divide the work.”


“Yes I know.” Malfoy’s voice was calm and lacking menace.
“But we have to attend the Ball together. Head boy- and girl tradition. Or have you forgotten?”

“What?” She looked at him with wide eyes.

‘I’m sorry, but it seems you have to put up with me a little longer.”

Hermione didn’t bother to react. She slammed the portrait hole closed behind her.


****

^^ Up next in chapter 9: Malfoy tries to talk to Hermione…