Pending - Chapter Two
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“Ron, how can you be so thick?!” Hermione yelled.
Ron threw up his hands. “Oh, I’m sorry. I must have fell asleep the day they taught how to read a girl’s mind!”
“It’s called having common sense and human decency, you twat!” she shouted back. “What if I told you I had no idea who I’d be going to our graduation ball with because I didn’t know if we’d still be together or not?! Does that sound just peachy to you?!!”
“I didn’t say that!”
“Oh no, just that you haven’t given a thought to our future! What, did you assume I’d follow you around with whatever you did and everything would just work itself out?!”
“I-”
“Will you two give it a rest already!”
Hermione and Ron looked over to see Draco standing in the doorway, a book in his hand.
“This is none of your business, snake!” Ron yelled.
“My point exactly. If you don’t want it to be anybody’s bloody business but your own, don’t shout it for the whole damn house to hear, Weasel! Either that or give me back my wand so I can cast a proper silencing charm around you so I can read in peace!”
“Right.” Ron snorted. “So you can kill us all in our sleep.”
“Ron-” Hermione started.
“Why would I? It’s obvious you two will kill each other eventually if you don’t give it up now!” Draco retorted.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Ron frowned.
Draco exhaled, annoyed. “It means, you two are the worst match ever conceived. All you do is fight and neither of you have any regard for each other’s feelings.”
Hermione was staring at him open-mouthed. Draco noticed and frowned at her.
“What?”
Hermione snapped her mouth closed. “Nothing. Just--, that was the most unMalfoy-like thing I’ve ever heard you say.”
Draco lifted a brow. “It’s classic psychology 101. A five year old could see you do not match. Now go commiserate in opposite corners, so I don’t have to listen to you kiddies’ inane bickering,” Draco added as he turned and left.
Hermione was looking down. Ron was looking anywhere but her.
“So…”
“So…what if he’s right?” Hermione asked finally.
Ron held up his hand as if trying for patience. “Don’t. Don’t even go there.”
“But Ron, what if he is?” Hermione persisted. “What if we just don’t match and are too stupid to see that. I mean, it took us so long to get together. Me with Viktor, you with Lavender…both of us hurting each other, and now all we do is fight…” Hermione sank down onto her bed. After a moment, Ron sighed and sat down next to her.
“So what are you saying,” he asked.
She looked over at him. “Do you love me?”
Ron’s eyebrows worked as he tried to figure out which way she meant.
“I mean, as a girlfriend. I know you love me as a friend, but…do you love me as a woman?” she asked.
Ron thought. Finally, “I don’t know. I couldn’t imagine being without you, but I’m not sure…”
“…whether as friends or more.” Hermione finished for him and he nodded.
“Could you imagine,” she started again. “being with another girl? I mean, now that we’ve been together, could you picture any other girl in your future?”
Ron looked trapped for a moment. “Is…is this a trick question?”
Hermione shook her head impatiently. “No. I’m just wondering because I’m unsure of what we have and if it were to go any farther and then not work out, we could possibly lose our friendship. And I don’t want that.”
“So what are you saying we do?” Ron frowned.
“I’m saying…maybe we should see other people.” Hermione say carefully.
Ron’s eyes widened.
“You mean break up?”
“Ron, what we have right now is not working. If we’re meant to be, then we’ll realize that while we’re apart.” Hermione waited and when he didn’t say anything she prompted him.
Finally, he looked at her. “You know, if we’re even able to have this conversation, you bringing it up and me not blowing up over it,” Ron took a deep breath, “And me actually considering the idea.” He looked over at her.
She understood and patted his hand. “…Then maybe we shouldn’t be together.”
Ron nodded.
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Draco pulled on his black boxers and rested a towel around his neck as he stepped out of the loo into the hallway. Immediately, he noticed Granger talking in hushed tones to the Weaselette. When they noticed him, they quickly finished their hushed convo and took off in opposite directions, Weaselette heading downstairs, Granger towards him. She didn’t look at him, but he watched her until she disappeared into a room, before continuing to his room. But what he heard and saw next stopped him short again.
“…Harry…leave me…No.” before Ginny continued down the stairs.
“…Gin.” And then Harry sighed, before turning and noticing Draco. He stopped short as well, but continued after a moment. “Find anything interesting, Malfoy?” Harry ground out, not in a good mood.
Draco strolled forward. “Oh, just wondering why you don’t just stick with Granger. She still worships the ground you spit on,” he drawled.
“Shove it up your arse, Malferret.” Harry growled as he strode past.
Draco grinned and continued on into his room. His joy was small but worth it.
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Draco had finished Ender’s Game, Psych 101, The Three Musketeers, & was now on Pride & Prejudice, the least girly sounding of the remaining muggle books. Not that he cared for any of the occupants of the house’s opinions, but he didn’t want to be caught reading something called Little Women, muggle book or not.
In the middle of Mr. Darcy’s assessment of eligible female company in the country, a dreaded knock on his door sounded. Growling in frustration, he pushed himself up off the bed. This Mr. Darcy sounded like a proper gentleman. He had exemplary standards, was rich, and was surrounded by idiots. Draco could identify completely.
Opening the door, he was presented with a letter. Looking up, he saw Granger urging him to take it.
Doing so, he asked, “What is this?”
Hermione folded her arms. “I don’t know why, but Molly’s designated me your bloody servant.”
“I meant the letter, Granger.” Draco gritted out.
“Oh, McGonagall wants to meet with you at the start of term.”
Draco frowned and scoffed. “Hogwarts couldn’t possibly be reopening.”
Hermione’s eyes bored into him. “Well, since they removed the Death Eaters and your little last years’ reject project from the Room of Requirement, it’s much safer now.”
“Much safer?” Draco questioned.
“Like a fortress.” Hermione continued with no emotion in her tone. Draco didn’t like it. She was treating him like a servant, a lower being.
“What’s gotten into your bonnet? Weaselbee not putting out?”
“Charming, Malfoy.” Hermione grimaced, “It’s no surprise how Pansy fell for you.” She turned to go.
“Oo, do I sense repressed jealousy, Granger?” Draco taunted.
“You know what, Draco,” Hermione sighed and turned, “How bout you take a nice long bath, conveniently slip your head under the water, and count to a million.”
“Aren’t you a little blood-thirsty,” Draco drawled, leaning against the doorframe.
Hermione stopped once more and turned to him. She frowned. “Are you flirting with me?” she challenged him with her gaze.
Draco shifted, uncomfortably. “Flattering ourselves, aren't we?”
Hermione rolled her eyes. “Moody says we leave in the morning.” She turned to leave.
Draco frowned. “For where?”
“Read the letter,” she called without turning.
Draco looked down at the letter in his hand. He gave Hermione a brief glance before turning back into his room and closing the door.
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The letter was from McGonagall. She wanted to discuss his coming back to Hogwarts. A list of the basic texts he’d need was included and he was to meet her after the feast.
He was checking the mirror the next morning, when he heard a hoard of footsteps going by his room. Opening the door, he caught Hermione before she could head down the stairs.
“Hurry up. We’re leaving.” She urged.
“To where?” he asked.
“Diagon Alley.” She turned to go but stopped and turned back to face him. “Here,” she pulled a brown toque out of her pocket and held it out to him.
He took it and frowned. “Really, Granger? Offering fashion advice, you?”
She huffed impatiently. “Look with your hair, you’ll be recognized instantly. So just put it on.”
Draco shook his head. “I don’t wear brown.”
Hermione just stared at him. “You’re serious?” Sighing, she pulled out her wand and muttered a spell. Suddenly the toque was black. “There, better? I don’t care, let’s go.”
Draco looked at the now black cap, and shrugged as he pulled it on over his hair.
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Draco was standing outside the Floo Network in Diagon Alley, dusting himself off in disgust when Granger came out in a cloud of soot.
Looking down, he laughed seeing her blackened face. Harry shoved him aside, glaring, to help her to her feet.
“Alright,” started Moody. “Potter, you, Ron & Ginny will come with me, Molly and Kingsley. Remus and Tonks shall take Hermione, the twins, and the Malfoy whelp.”
“Alastor hush!” Tonks shushed him. “We don’t need an ambush over the whelp, so keep it down.”
“Yeah, yeah. So, anyway, we’ll meet back here in two hours. Remember the emergency rendevous point. Constant vigilance everybody.”
Harry turned to Hermione. “You going to be okay with Malfoy?”
She sighed. “Yeah, I can take care of myself.”
“Alright. See you soon.”
Harry, Ron and Ginny head off, waving at her. While waving back, Draco passed her and she noticed a bright white blonde lock of hair peeking out of his cap.
“Oi, Dra--! I mean, you!” she called.
Draco confused, stopped and turned around. She caught up with him. “You have a bit showing.” She reached up and tucked the wayward lock under his cap, while Draco watched consterned.
Mudblood Granger is touching me, and voluntarily.
“There,” she said, finished. “Come along now, Bob.”
She started walking away and he followed.
“Bob?” he gave her an incredulous look.
“Well, I have to call you something,” she responded. “Unless you’d prefer ‘reviled pig’, I could handle that.”
“Oo, Granger that one would’ve hurt if I actually cared about a mudblood’s opinion.”
Her foot shot out, catching him at a balancing moment in his step and sent him tumbling to the ground. Kicking him onto his back, she placed her sneaker on his chest.
“Next time you call me Mudblood, you be lucky if you can get your whores with child.” Hermione spoke in a deadly, dangerous tone.
Shoving away from him, she left him lying in the dirt. Draco rolled to his knees, glaring at her back as he stood.
“I’d take heed, Mr. Bob,” said Tonks, who stood behind him. Draco glared in her direction. “When provoked, she can whip out a curse that packs a hell of a bigger punch than her slap.”
Draco huffed and took off in the opposite direction of Hermione.
“I’ll take him, my dear.” Remus laid a hand on Tonks’ arm. “You take Fred and find Hermione.” Remus looked around. “Well, George let’s go save young Bob from himself.”
Tonks and Fred headed off towards the book store, because of course, this was Hermione after all. Tonks found Hermione at the back of the store in the dustiest of tomes. Hermione spun at the sound of Tonks sneeze, just in time to see her hair change from brown to magenta. Hermione covered her mouth.
Tonks eyes rolled up. “It’s pink again, isn’t it?”
Hermione nodded, holding back giggles.
“Ah, well. At least it got you out of your dark mood.”
Hermione’s hand fell away from her mouth as she turned back to the shelves.
“He’s so infuriating. He asks for help and then bites the hand that does.” Hermione sighed. “He makes me so angry sometimes. I mean, I’m not a violent person, but he’s the only one I’ve ever actually wanted to smack across the face and did.”
“Oh yes, Remus told me how you walloped him one in your third year.” Tonks smiled. “Do you think maybe now he needs a bit of understanding, maybe a bit of TLC?”
Hermione gave her a side glance as if she were nuts. “If so, I’m not going to give it to him. He probably wouldn’t recognize it for what it was anyway.”
“Why do you say that?” Tonks asked knowingly.
“Oh, his kind endearing nature tells me all I need to know. All he’s ever known is disdain and hatred for me and my kind.” Hermione glanced at her. “What about you? You are his cousin.”
“Aye, and I will treat him as politely as my pride will afford unless he is otherwise, and then I shall have to turn his hair a dangerous shade of purple.”
Hermione smiled at the image that produced. “You know that sounds like a great plan.”
“Yes? I’m rather fond of it myself,” Tonks winked at her as Fred joined them.
“Oi, Hermione. I know you love your books, but this is a public health hazard,” he said waving away the dust.
“You’re right, it’s rather dusty back here. I’ll just grab my texts so we can go.”
Hermione started to follow Tonks, but Fred held her back with a hand on her arm.
“I heard your little talk and your fight with the ferret,” he said in a confidential tone. “Here,” he handed her some candy. “These will dissolve in any drink tasteless, and odd things will be sprouting from his form for weeks.”
Hermione’s eyebrows lifted. “Weeks?” she looked intrigued.
Fred grinned and nodded. “Oh yeah. Until he asks for the antidote and then you can make him promise what ever you want,” Fred finished with a wink.
Hermione allowed a slow grin to spread across her face. “Thank you, Fred. Give my thanks to your brother as well.”
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They finished at the bookstore, Madame Malkin’s and the potion shop, all without a word between Hermione and Draco. She ignored him completely, and he was content with glaring at her the whole time.
“Do you need to make a trip to Malfoy Manor?” Lupin asked Draco, when they were finished.
Draco frowned at him, a question in his eyes.
“Yes, it’s not safe to stay there, but if you want to pick a few personal items, we have time,” said Tonks.
Draco looked away and nodded.
“Alright then. We’ll just find Moody and then Remus and I will take you.”
Draco looked over at Hermione then. She had her back to him with her arms folded. Right then she saw her friends. He watched as her face lit up and she waved. She and Ginny immediately started chattering on about something, when Draco turned away. He halted seeing Tonks giving him a knowing wink. He jerked his gaze away from her frowning. What was she playing at?
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Next chap: Draco returns home briefly, before heading to Hogwarts. (It's not really mentioned or said, but the Trio have been convinced to come back, but are given free reign to go about searching for the horcruxes, by McGonagall.)
AN: Hey if anyone wants me to enlarge the text, I will. I've been straining my eyes to read stuff on here, but maybe my eyes are just bad=P
“Ron, how can you be so thick?!” Hermione yelled.
Ron threw up his hands. “Oh, I’m sorry. I must have fell asleep the day they taught how to read a girl’s mind!”
“It’s called having common sense and human decency, you twat!” she shouted back. “What if I told you I had no idea who I’d be going to our graduation ball with because I didn’t know if we’d still be together or not?! Does that sound just peachy to you?!!”
“I didn’t say that!”
“Oh no, just that you haven’t given a thought to our future! What, did you assume I’d follow you around with whatever you did and everything would just work itself out?!”
“I-”
“Will you two give it a rest already!”
Hermione and Ron looked over to see Draco standing in the doorway, a book in his hand.
“This is none of your business, snake!” Ron yelled.
“My point exactly. If you don’t want it to be anybody’s bloody business but your own, don’t shout it for the whole damn house to hear, Weasel! Either that or give me back my wand so I can cast a proper silencing charm around you so I can read in peace!”
“Right.” Ron snorted. “So you can kill us all in our sleep.”
“Ron-” Hermione started.
“Why would I? It’s obvious you two will kill each other eventually if you don’t give it up now!” Draco retorted.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Ron frowned.
Draco exhaled, annoyed. “It means, you two are the worst match ever conceived. All you do is fight and neither of you have any regard for each other’s feelings.”
Hermione was staring at him open-mouthed. Draco noticed and frowned at her.
“What?”
Hermione snapped her mouth closed. “Nothing. Just--, that was the most unMalfoy-like thing I’ve ever heard you say.”
Draco lifted a brow. “It’s classic psychology 101. A five year old could see you do not match. Now go commiserate in opposite corners, so I don’t have to listen to you kiddies’ inane bickering,” Draco added as he turned and left.
Hermione was looking down. Ron was looking anywhere but her.
“So…”
“So…what if he’s right?” Hermione asked finally.
Ron held up his hand as if trying for patience. “Don’t. Don’t even go there.”
“But Ron, what if he is?” Hermione persisted. “What if we just don’t match and are too stupid to see that. I mean, it took us so long to get together. Me with Viktor, you with Lavender…both of us hurting each other, and now all we do is fight…” Hermione sank down onto her bed. After a moment, Ron sighed and sat down next to her.
“So what are you saying,” he asked.
She looked over at him. “Do you love me?”
Ron’s eyebrows worked as he tried to figure out which way she meant.
“I mean, as a girlfriend. I know you love me as a friend, but…do you love me as a woman?” she asked.
Ron thought. Finally, “I don’t know. I couldn’t imagine being without you, but I’m not sure…”
“…whether as friends or more.” Hermione finished for him and he nodded.
“Could you imagine,” she started again. “being with another girl? I mean, now that we’ve been together, could you picture any other girl in your future?”
Ron looked trapped for a moment. “Is…is this a trick question?”
Hermione shook her head impatiently. “No. I’m just wondering because I’m unsure of what we have and if it were to go any farther and then not work out, we could possibly lose our friendship. And I don’t want that.”
“So what are you saying we do?” Ron frowned.
“I’m saying…maybe we should see other people.” Hermione say carefully.
Ron’s eyes widened.
“You mean break up?”
“Ron, what we have right now is not working. If we’re meant to be, then we’ll realize that while we’re apart.” Hermione waited and when he didn’t say anything she prompted him.
Finally, he looked at her. “You know, if we’re even able to have this conversation, you bringing it up and me not blowing up over it,” Ron took a deep breath, “And me actually considering the idea.” He looked over at her.
She understood and patted his hand. “…Then maybe we shouldn’t be together.”
Ron nodded.
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Draco pulled on his black boxers and rested a towel around his neck as he stepped out of the loo into the hallway. Immediately, he noticed Granger talking in hushed tones to the Weaselette. When they noticed him, they quickly finished their hushed convo and took off in opposite directions, Weaselette heading downstairs, Granger towards him. She didn’t look at him, but he watched her until she disappeared into a room, before continuing to his room. But what he heard and saw next stopped him short again.
“…Harry…leave me…No.” before Ginny continued down the stairs.
“…Gin.” And then Harry sighed, before turning and noticing Draco. He stopped short as well, but continued after a moment. “Find anything interesting, Malfoy?” Harry ground out, not in a good mood.
Draco strolled forward. “Oh, just wondering why you don’t just stick with Granger. She still worships the ground you spit on,” he drawled.
“Shove it up your arse, Malferret.” Harry growled as he strode past.
Draco grinned and continued on into his room. His joy was small but worth it.
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Draco had finished Ender’s Game, Psych 101, The Three Musketeers, & was now on Pride & Prejudice, the least girly sounding of the remaining muggle books. Not that he cared for any of the occupants of the house’s opinions, but he didn’t want to be caught reading something called Little Women, muggle book or not.
In the middle of Mr. Darcy’s assessment of eligible female company in the country, a dreaded knock on his door sounded. Growling in frustration, he pushed himself up off the bed. This Mr. Darcy sounded like a proper gentleman. He had exemplary standards, was rich, and was surrounded by idiots. Draco could identify completely.
Opening the door, he was presented with a letter. Looking up, he saw Granger urging him to take it.
Doing so, he asked, “What is this?”
Hermione folded her arms. “I don’t know why, but Molly’s designated me your bloody servant.”
“I meant the letter, Granger.” Draco gritted out.
“Oh, McGonagall wants to meet with you at the start of term.”
Draco frowned and scoffed. “Hogwarts couldn’t possibly be reopening.”
Hermione’s eyes bored into him. “Well, since they removed the Death Eaters and your little last years’ reject project from the Room of Requirement, it’s much safer now.”
“Much safer?” Draco questioned.
“Like a fortress.” Hermione continued with no emotion in her tone. Draco didn’t like it. She was treating him like a servant, a lower being.
“What’s gotten into your bonnet? Weaselbee not putting out?”
“Charming, Malfoy.” Hermione grimaced, “It’s no surprise how Pansy fell for you.” She turned to go.
“Oo, do I sense repressed jealousy, Granger?” Draco taunted.
“You know what, Draco,” Hermione sighed and turned, “How bout you take a nice long bath, conveniently slip your head under the water, and count to a million.”
“Aren’t you a little blood-thirsty,” Draco drawled, leaning against the doorframe.
Hermione stopped once more and turned to him. She frowned. “Are you flirting with me?” she challenged him with her gaze.
Draco shifted, uncomfortably. “Flattering ourselves, aren't we?”
Hermione rolled her eyes. “Moody says we leave in the morning.” She turned to leave.
Draco frowned. “For where?”
“Read the letter,” she called without turning.
Draco looked down at the letter in his hand. He gave Hermione a brief glance before turning back into his room and closing the door.
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The letter was from McGonagall. She wanted to discuss his coming back to Hogwarts. A list of the basic texts he’d need was included and he was to meet her after the feast.
He was checking the mirror the next morning, when he heard a hoard of footsteps going by his room. Opening the door, he caught Hermione before she could head down the stairs.
“Hurry up. We’re leaving.” She urged.
“To where?” he asked.
“Diagon Alley.” She turned to go but stopped and turned back to face him. “Here,” she pulled a brown toque out of her pocket and held it out to him.
He took it and frowned. “Really, Granger? Offering fashion advice, you?”
She huffed impatiently. “Look with your hair, you’ll be recognized instantly. So just put it on.”
Draco shook his head. “I don’t wear brown.”
Hermione just stared at him. “You’re serious?” Sighing, she pulled out her wand and muttered a spell. Suddenly the toque was black. “There, better? I don’t care, let’s go.”
Draco looked at the now black cap, and shrugged as he pulled it on over his hair.
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Draco was standing outside the Floo Network in Diagon Alley, dusting himself off in disgust when Granger came out in a cloud of soot.
Looking down, he laughed seeing her blackened face. Harry shoved him aside, glaring, to help her to her feet.
“Alright,” started Moody. “Potter, you, Ron & Ginny will come with me, Molly and Kingsley. Remus and Tonks shall take Hermione, the twins, and the Malfoy whelp.”
“Alastor hush!” Tonks shushed him. “We don’t need an ambush over the whelp, so keep it down.”
“Yeah, yeah. So, anyway, we’ll meet back here in two hours. Remember the emergency rendevous point. Constant vigilance everybody.”
Harry turned to Hermione. “You going to be okay with Malfoy?”
She sighed. “Yeah, I can take care of myself.”
“Alright. See you soon.”
Harry, Ron and Ginny head off, waving at her. While waving back, Draco passed her and she noticed a bright white blonde lock of hair peeking out of his cap.
“Oi, Dra--! I mean, you!” she called.
Draco confused, stopped and turned around. She caught up with him. “You have a bit showing.” She reached up and tucked the wayward lock under his cap, while Draco watched consterned.
Mudblood Granger is touching me, and voluntarily.
“There,” she said, finished. “Come along now, Bob.”
She started walking away and he followed.
“Bob?” he gave her an incredulous look.
“Well, I have to call you something,” she responded. “Unless you’d prefer ‘reviled pig’, I could handle that.”
“Oo, Granger that one would’ve hurt if I actually cared about a mudblood’s opinion.”
Her foot shot out, catching him at a balancing moment in his step and sent him tumbling to the ground. Kicking him onto his back, she placed her sneaker on his chest.
“Next time you call me Mudblood, you be lucky if you can get your whores with child.” Hermione spoke in a deadly, dangerous tone.
Shoving away from him, she left him lying in the dirt. Draco rolled to his knees, glaring at her back as he stood.
“I’d take heed, Mr. Bob,” said Tonks, who stood behind him. Draco glared in her direction. “When provoked, she can whip out a curse that packs a hell of a bigger punch than her slap.”
Draco huffed and took off in the opposite direction of Hermione.
“I’ll take him, my dear.” Remus laid a hand on Tonks’ arm. “You take Fred and find Hermione.” Remus looked around. “Well, George let’s go save young Bob from himself.”
Tonks and Fred headed off towards the book store, because of course, this was Hermione after all. Tonks found Hermione at the back of the store in the dustiest of tomes. Hermione spun at the sound of Tonks sneeze, just in time to see her hair change from brown to magenta. Hermione covered her mouth.
Tonks eyes rolled up. “It’s pink again, isn’t it?”
Hermione nodded, holding back giggles.
“Ah, well. At least it got you out of your dark mood.”
Hermione’s hand fell away from her mouth as she turned back to the shelves.
“He’s so infuriating. He asks for help and then bites the hand that does.” Hermione sighed. “He makes me so angry sometimes. I mean, I’m not a violent person, but he’s the only one I’ve ever actually wanted to smack across the face and did.”
“Oh yes, Remus told me how you walloped him one in your third year.” Tonks smiled. “Do you think maybe now he needs a bit of understanding, maybe a bit of TLC?”
Hermione gave her a side glance as if she were nuts. “If so, I’m not going to give it to him. He probably wouldn’t recognize it for what it was anyway.”
“Why do you say that?” Tonks asked knowingly.
“Oh, his kind endearing nature tells me all I need to know. All he’s ever known is disdain and hatred for me and my kind.” Hermione glanced at her. “What about you? You are his cousin.”
“Aye, and I will treat him as politely as my pride will afford unless he is otherwise, and then I shall have to turn his hair a dangerous shade of purple.”
Hermione smiled at the image that produced. “You know that sounds like a great plan.”
“Yes? I’m rather fond of it myself,” Tonks winked at her as Fred joined them.
“Oi, Hermione. I know you love your books, but this is a public health hazard,” he said waving away the dust.
“You’re right, it’s rather dusty back here. I’ll just grab my texts so we can go.”
Hermione started to follow Tonks, but Fred held her back with a hand on her arm.
“I heard your little talk and your fight with the ferret,” he said in a confidential tone. “Here,” he handed her some candy. “These will dissolve in any drink tasteless, and odd things will be sprouting from his form for weeks.”
Hermione’s eyebrows lifted. “Weeks?” she looked intrigued.
Fred grinned and nodded. “Oh yeah. Until he asks for the antidote and then you can make him promise what ever you want,” Fred finished with a wink.
Hermione allowed a slow grin to spread across her face. “Thank you, Fred. Give my thanks to your brother as well.”
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They finished at the bookstore, Madame Malkin’s and the potion shop, all without a word between Hermione and Draco. She ignored him completely, and he was content with glaring at her the whole time.
“Do you need to make a trip to Malfoy Manor?” Lupin asked Draco, when they were finished.
Draco frowned at him, a question in his eyes.
“Yes, it’s not safe to stay there, but if you want to pick a few personal items, we have time,” said Tonks.
Draco looked away and nodded.
“Alright then. We’ll just find Moody and then Remus and I will take you.”
Draco looked over at Hermione then. She had her back to him with her arms folded. Right then she saw her friends. He watched as her face lit up and she waved. She and Ginny immediately started chattering on about something, when Draco turned away. He halted seeing Tonks giving him a knowing wink. He jerked his gaze away from her frowning. What was she playing at?
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Next chap: Draco returns home briefly, before heading to Hogwarts. (It's not really mentioned or said, but the Trio have been convinced to come back, but are given free reign to go about searching for the horcruxes, by McGonagall.)
AN: Hey if anyone wants me to enlarge the text, I will. I've been straining my eyes to read stuff on here, but maybe my eyes are just bad=P