Thorn in my side
The term began like a bucket of cold water thrown at Draco’s face. The new professor, Dolores Umbridge, was a thorn in everyone’s side. She seemed to have taken a liking to the snakes. This meant Draco was constantly fighting demons not to hex her for treating Hermione badly.
After begging and begging Hermione, she finally told him what ways he could help. Unfortunately, it meant cozying up with the worse than the dark lord professor.
Hermione was particularly stressed about D.A.D.A classes.
“She’s not teaching us to defend ourselves. She’s vile-absolutely beastly!”
Draco wasn’t really paying attention to her rant. He was more focused on how turned on he was when she was so angry and passionate about a subject
Hermione smacked him with a book. “Are you even listening?”
Draco came out of his trance.
“I- uh- yes she’s barmy.” He cleared this throat.
She glared at him. He loved these moments. She fought him like they were a married couple, something he was always daydreaming about.
Hermione really hated that woman. It was the topic of many of their meetings. It was also the cause for cancellation for their meetings. Therefore, Draco didn’t just hate her abhorred the woman.
Umbridge was a problem for Hermione. Draco saw an opening. He could help her and gain points. He would be so good she would have to reward him.
He moved close to her and ran his hands through her hair. Hermione sighed and closed her eyes.
“Say the word. Say the word and we’ll find a way to get rid of her.” For the first time, Draco was serious.
Hermione opened her eyes. They held eye contact for a good moment. Hermione pushed him back on the bed and moved to straddle him.
“Let me help you.” He reached up to cup her cheek but she grabbed his wrist firmly.
He could tell she wanted to fight him on it. But she was too exhausted. She collapsed on top of him. Immediately his arms went around her in an embrace.
“There is nothing you can do.” She sighed.
“I’ll give you anything you want. You just need to ask.” He said firmly. His heart was beating extremely fast. It was rare for her to initiate contact like this. He wished he could have her like this forever. Guard down, hostility gone.
Her head was rested on his should but she turned to look up at him. “Maybe you can help.”
He looked down at her. His pupils were blown. He could hold her like this for hours. His body could go numb and he would not care.
“How so?” He swallowed. His mind was already going in other directions.
“Train me.”
“Train you?”
“You said you had tutors. Your magic is advanced. You have all the resources we don’t.”
This was just perfect. He could spend more time with her, have more excuses to touch her, and he could get on her good side. He wanted to do cartwheels out of joy.
“Yes.” He said quickly.
___________
Hermione was trying to think of any way to help. It would be extremely suspicious if she suddenly knew all of this advanced magic. She was the brightest witch of her age but, it would still be weird.
“What if we taught ourselves? Clearly Dumbledore wont help us. We need to train Harry.”
“I’ve been thinking about that Mi.”
“That bloody witch is making us useless.” Ron chimed in.
Yes, they needed to do something. Voldemort is back and they needed to prepare.
“I’ll look into it. We should meet up. Recruit people. Talk about next steps.” She affirmed.
When she went to meet Draco again, she remembered their previous conversation. He was going to help her train. Everything he will teach her, she will bring back to Harry. She had to be sneaky about it.
People can’t know about Draco. He was her secret weapon of power at the school. That little git was right about that, he could do anything. He had the resources and connections.
She considered telling him about The Order, about her plans to help Harry fight back at Umbridge, and all the things happening with Harry. What would he think? Merlin. Is she really considering Draco’s thoughts, feelings, and opinions right now? What has become of her!
She walked down the hallway discreetly. She couldn’t afford getting caught. When she heard footsteps, she hid.
“Hermione?” A sing song voice broke the silence.
“Luna. What are you doing here?”
“I’m looking for my favorite jumper. I suspect the nargels have stolen it again…”
“Right.” Hermione looked around.
“Well, it seems you are quite occupied. I’ll see you at the Hogs Head. Tell Draco I said hello.” She smiled innocently.
Hermione’s blood ran cold.
“W-what?” She sputtered.
Luna just smiled innocently again as if she didn’t just reveal one of Hermione’s deepest secrets.
“I-I- I’m not seeing Malfoy!” She avoided eye contact.
“He’s a very sweet boy, he just doesn’t want the world to know it.” She hummed. She rocked on her heels back and fourth.
Hermione was speechless. Red in the face and utterly terrified.
“Goodbye Hermione.” She played with her hair and skipped away.
WHAT. THE. FUCK.
Hermione booked it towards the come and go room.
When she entered Draco was already inside eating an apple, a habit of his.
“DRACO MALFOY!” She hissed. Her wand was out in a flash. Draco immediately got up.
“Why does Luna Lovegood know?!” She demanded.
“I- what? Looney?”
“LUNA.” She corrected.
Draco looked just as shocked as she did.
“I- I don’t know! We’ve been so careful. You know she’s insane!” He exclaimed.
Hermione was furious. Her chest was rising and falling quickly.
“I just saw her in the hall and she said to say hello. How would she know I was coming to see you?” She fumed.
Draco began pacing. “I don’t know! I can fix this.”
Hermione huffed and pocketed her wand. He better fix this. Everything could be ruined if more people found out.
She removed her robes and dropped on the bed. “This can’t get out.” She said seriously.
Draco dropped to his knees in front of her. “I swear everything will be ok.” He sat back on his heels and put his hands on her thighs. She dug her heel on his thigh.
“Yes well, you better pray it does.”
He began her training by reading a few books from the manor. Things that she could not find at Hogwarts.
She took notes and highlighted the most important bits.
“Well that’s basically what you can do with it. Most people find it useless but, I think it’s good when you’re faced with multiple targets.” He closed the book.
Hermione rubbed her eyes. She laid down on the bed. She had been debating the entire lesson if he should know about Harry’s plans.
“We’re going to teach ourselves.” She reported.
Draco’s faced dropped for a mere second. “Potter is going to teach himself too? He swallowed.
“Not just Harry, everyone. We’re meeting soon. We need a place to practice. We need to fight out back.” She stated.
Draco seemed to take in her words.
“What about here?” He said suddenly.
“What do you mean?”
“You can train here. No one knows about this place but us.”
For a moment Hermione felt annoyed. He wanted to share their space with other people. Then, slapped herself internally. It is not time to be selfish. It was a great idea.
Draco mentioned Crabbe and Goyle joined the inquisitorial squad. She suggested he join too. He would be close to Umbridge and he could help them sneak around. He was going to protest but Hermione gave him the “do what I say” glare. He gave in, of course.
After she left, she thought up a story to tell Harry. How she found the room, how they could use it.
It was time for them to prepare.