Chapter 37
Chapter 37:
Stalking back to his rooms after the disastrous evening Draco reflected on the events that transpired. He was equal part rage and intrigue at the actions of one Hermione Granger. She is not what he expected. Gone was a strict rule follower swot of the past and in her place was a defiant and exacting woman. If anyone else had tried that rabbit trick on him he’s sure they would have left maimed in some fashion, but all he did was seethe in rage as she walked away with the most mischievous look of pride on her face.
Cataloging what he knew about Granger, Draco’s list was short but full of contradiction. She was amazingly smart but worked a job that many would agree was beneath her. She used to loathe flying and now she was flying around and with zeal. She was friends with the Weasel and Potter, but no longer was dating the Weasel. At this last bit Draco’s lips twitched into something unmistakably like a smile. And lastly and perhaps most importantly, she did something around lunch hour every day in the room of requirement. He was sure of it, he couldn’t tell what it was, but he was sure enough it was a daily occurrence.
A man of his word, Draco set out to think before acting, and he need a plan to deal with this Granger business he’s brought onto himself. After much thought, Draco secured what he believed to be the cleverest plan ever created by a wizard. The plan’s genius was in its simplicity. He was to tell Granger that his personal knowledge was exhausted on the matter and subject of the well, but that his friends in Scotland, Ireland, and Austria might have led (semi true) and that he shall inquire after it. However, his friends being busy and far away gave them a perfect excuse to no respond in a timely fashion. Meanwhile, he’ll deliver the three remaining gifts with a well-written note that’s to inspire no additional investigation. Lastly, he’ll have to figure out the Granger duality of the girl he knew and the woman she is today.
This last part of the plan to understand research wasn’t because he was interested in her at all. No, at Hogwarts Draco was bored and starved for entertainment. Solving a Granger-shaped puzzle was all that was left to do. Truly, what else was he supposed to do? The room of requirement could supply so much stimulation before it grew boring and moreover, it seems that his free hours corresponded to another’s free hours and much to his ire, the room only permitted a single guest at a time. Draco was on a side mission to discover who else was using the room, for surely Granger wasn’t the one always in there.