fervere

Chapter Twenty 

Ron clutched on to the letter he received during breakfast. He held on to the beautifully lined parchment tightly, reading it over and over again. Excitement wasn’t good enough to describe how elated he looked receiving a very French envelope.  

His excitement even poured into his potions lesson where he was surrounded by a class who had no interest in the matter. 

“Daphne’s coming back! Her parents talk to Dumbledore and he said it was fine to transfer in the middle of the year so she didn’t have to be away from her sister.” Ron loudly whispered to Harry who was looking not only miserable but slightly disturbed.  

They had a bit of lull time during potions where Snape was allowing them to study for their upcoming midterm exam for the rest of their hour. Most students were deep into their notes and reviewing information with their partners. Harry on the other hand was looking rough much to Pansy's disgust. She was highly aware that most potions partners were getting along just fine now. 

Harry, on the other had, showed no interest in getting to know Pansy which in turned highly offended the witch.

As Ron went on and on, Harry casted a long look at Draco. It was a look he knew the feeling of all too well. Draco had a sneaking suspicion that Harry had a Snape lesson the night before and was suffering from the exhaustion.

Harry laid his head on a pile of his school books, closing his dull emerald eyes gingerly every time Ron would lean over his table and wave his letter around, like an excited child. Pansy Parkinson had left to ask Professor Snape a few questions about her dismal marks on her past assignments, casting accusing looks at Potter as if he was the sole reason that she was close to failing the class. 

Unlike Potter, Hermione was performing miracles at her own table: Coaching Goyle.  

Draco and Neville were crushing their left-over Valerian root to preserve for later use. They had a substantial amount left over that Neville suggested selling some to students who needed to beef up their own supplies. 

Draco had been half listening to Neville’s suggestions, his attention on someone else.

And for once, it wasn't Hermione.

It wasn’t that Draco was uninterested in hearing that Daphne Greengrass was transferring back (Draco was, actually), but there was something about how twitchy and worn-out Harry looked that caught his attention. 

Harry turned his head towards Ron and opened his violent green eyes and that’s when Draco saw it. 

Again.  

It was hard to describe but the intensity in his eyes triggered that same looming feeling of sick in Draco’s body and it startled him on what felt like a boring normal late Tuesday morning.  

It was only a flash of what looked like annoyance but it had a much deeper seeded look of evil that jolted a primal instinct in Draco.  

He wanted to jump up and warn everyone to run but he felt rooted to his seat in fear.  

And in that same second, that look in Harry’s eyes was gone releasing the grip of fear that Draco was in. Harry blinked up at Ron in boredom, his eyes back to dull green. The change was so sudden and strange, Draco almost questioned his own sanity. 

“She wants to be here for her Sixteenth Reception in January,” Ron smiled as if he was indicating that he was going to be invited to a huge event in a pureblood’s rite of passage.  

Harry glared at him, groaning in annoyance, “What in the hell is a Sixteenth Reception?” 

Ron paused and glanced around the room. Draco was reminded that Daphne had also asked him about his own Sixteenth at the Yule Ball last year. 

“It’s like a party to signal that you’re an adult.” Ron shrugged, “Bill had a small party for his and then...” 

Draco could fill in the blanks. They probably didn’t have the funds to host another six Sixteenth Reception for all the Weasley Clan. There were certain traditions in the Sixteenth Reception that was considered pricey to uphold tradition's sake.  

For example, aside from a huge party, there was the customization of their wand handles, a week set of work cloaks, and a prized family heirloom. Considering there were seven Weasley offspring, Draco couldn’t imagine they had a ton of sentimental heirlooms to give to each child nor the funds for the rest of the traditions. 

Pansy returned to Harry’s table, glaring at Ron as she sat down.  

“It’s not just a party. It’s a huge deal,” Pansy sighed out, sticking her nose into the air, “My parents are scouting a place out in the Isles of Scilly so our guests can floo to. Mum also promised I’ll get half of the inheritance once Gran dies. She doesn’t have long anyways.” 

Ron and Harry looked at Parkinson in disbelief. 

Harry turned to Ron, “Fred and George didn’t-” 

“They only wanted their wand handles customized.” Ron shrugged, “They’re not much for parties...” 

Draco sensed that was a bold lie considering how jovial and friendly the twins were. Sensing that the conversation was being steered away from the most important part, Ron waved his letter in his hand.  

“Anyways, Daphne is coming !” Ron whispered not so discreetly.  

Pansy stuck her nose up and huffed, “Great, maybe she can take over Prefect duties and Draco can stop bitching to anyone who cares to listen that he has so much to cover.” 

There was a still silence that hushed over the room when the entire class shifted their gaze over at an innocent Draco getting caught in the crossfire. He immediately glared back at his ex-Prefect partner and obviously ignored her statement.  

He continued to work with Neville, weighing and organizing their overstock supply. Draco’s lips were pressed in a tight thin line, trying his best to remain neutral. 

“Or you know what's also a good idea, we can make a simple tonic tea with our root and sell it to fifth years,” Neville whispered, pointing at the page of instructions in their book, “Merlin knows how many of us need to get a proper sleep this year.” 

Draco smirked, before asking Professor Snape if it was possible to use their cauldrons to whip up a quick three ingredient potion. Snape’s head snapped up from his desk, red quill in hand from marking their essays.  

“I don’t care as long as you clean up after yourselves.” He drawled, glancing at Neville as if he expected a mess considering his tumultuous past.  

“Not even fair,” Seamus grumbled to himself behind Draco and Neville, “Shouldn’t they be studying or something.” 

Snape snapped, “Finnigan. Focus on your own trials. As I can see, your partner Crabbe is not the reason why you got such a pitiful score on your essay this week.” 

Seamus rubbed his temples furiously distracting himself form the shame visibly creeping up his neck.

“Focus.” Snape snapped.  

The class fell back into the soft murmurs of their studying after a pause, slowly easing into their prior conversations after assuring themselves that Professor Snape was deep into grading their work. 

“Can I use your...” Ron glanced over at Snape who was already marking notes into an essay, “You know the thing ? She’ll be here tonight, Harry.”  

“I don’t care,” Harry mumbled, letting out a yawn collapsing over his stack of school books, “I’ve got enough on my plate with all the detentions I’ve been getting. Ask Hermione, she’s been hogging it.” 

Ron threw a hopeful look at Hermione who was surprised her name came up in the conversation at all. Draco, who was aware of the special items the Golden Trio possessed, jumped to the certain conclusion that it was the map they were alluding to. 

“Aren’t you glad we make a fair team, Longbottom?” Draco whispered over to Neville who was setting up his cauldron and looking back to his book for the potion he was planning on making. He was as precise and calculating as if this potion was going to possibly be on their OWLs.  

“Surprisingly yes,” Neville nodded, glancing at his book to double check. He flipped through pages, jumping ahead to see the index of the optimal ingredients needed for any potion. He lit the cauldron on fire with his wand, igniting it with warm blue flame and threw in their powder Valerian Root. One dittany leaf followed soon after and then the drops of lavender oils completed the potion. 

Neville muttered an incantation over his cauldron before he glanced over to his book. His forehead etched in concentration.  

“Hey, you're good at Astronomy, right? When is the next full moon?” Neville asked.  

“Tonight,” Draco said preparing vials to fill up. He stole a glance at Hermione’s side profile.  

“Are you patrolling?” Neville asked, hopefully.  

Draco blinked, “Neville, with Pansy throwing her fit, I'm almost always on patrol.” 

Neville deflated, “Oh right."

Draco stared at his partner who was caving in on himself and growing quieter by the second. 

"Longbottom," Draco sighed, "Why did you ask?"

Neville's face twisted uncomfortable around before he blurted out what was on his mind.

"There’s some wild fluxweed growing by the quidditch pitch. I noticed it during the first game.” 

“What about it?” Draco asked, sniffing the potion over Neville’s shoulder. He was tempted to down a sip so he could rest a bit during lunch. He was willing to sacrifice a bit of food for some restful sleep nowadays. He had been staying up past midnight in the library trying to research anything about the Department of Mysteries but to his misfortune, Draco hadn’t found anything of substance. 

“They should be picked on a full moon,” Neville pointed to a list of ingredients in the back of their Advance Potions book. It was the thickest of all their school books, containing all of concoctions they were to make until their seventh year.  

Curious, Draco flipped over to the index that Neville was reviewing. It listed all the needed ingredients to have on hand and where to find the best. Draco chewed on his lip when the read off the page numbers where fluxweed was used.  

There was only one page listed. 

He turned to page 209. 

“Polyjuice?” Draco read out loud and three bodies stiffened at the word. Draco wanted to know why Harry had wheeled around to stare at him but something else caught his eye, Hermione’s sudden cough attack from withholding a gasp.  

She patted her chest and announced softly that she breathed in a bit of dust and blamed her allergies.  

“A seventh year potiont? Neville, why would we go out of our way to get an ingredient for a potion we might not even make? We’d have to be placed in Advance Potions for this,” Draco cocked his head, a smile creeping up. “You brewed three potions correctly in class and now you have the confidence of a Gryffindor to think you’ll smash your OWLs out of the pitch.” 

Neville let out a smirk, “Of course I do, I have a great mentor.” 

Draco’s smirk slowly fell, and a weird sense filled his chest uncomfortably like he needed to scratch it out of his skin in order to feel normal. Aside from Dumbledore, no one had really thanked him for Draco’s help. No one his age at least other than Hermione.  

(But he was in love with her and anything she does honestly pushes him to the edge.) 

Even when Harry half thanked him for helping him out with the Tournament didn’t feel as heartfelt as Neville’s.  

That sensation slowly crept up to his neck and tightened a knot in his throat. The moment the class was over twenty minutes later (with their bags fully pack with a ton of calming tonic vials), Draco was the first to bolt out to go through the wave of emotions that suddenly crashed into him.  

He gritted his teeth, feeling the looming fear that his father was going to come around the corner and beat the tears out of him.  

Malfoy men are not weak.  

They are capable and tenacious.  

They do not crumble under the weight of fickle things like emotion nor do they choke up. 

Draco gulped and he felt his walls come up to protect him, just in time when he saw a flash of red and for once, Draco was glad it was Ron.  

If it were Ginny, she would have noted the perturb look in his grey eyes he was slowly softening back into his cold stare.  

“Hey, Malfoy,” Ron awkwardly called out, side glancing some second years walking by who took notice of the two unlikely people. Draco let out a small, amused huff watching Ron jog lightly up the corridor to him.

“Weasley,” He returned the favor. It was a bit awkward to have to address themselves so formally, having to pretend they didn’t grow close over the summer.  

Ron approached him confidently with a glare in his eyes. The moment they were alone, near the clock tower entrance, Ron's hand gripped on to a fistful of Draco's cloak sleeve as he pulled Draco close. Ron looked around cautiously.  

“Do you know anything about Daphne’s arrival?” He asked, his freckled face full of lovesick concern, “I-I think she might arrive during our quidditch practice today and I can’t miss it. It’s our first serious one after Umbridge-” 

“Yeah,” Draco nodded, “After she finally approved it. Heard Ravenclaw team gave her a hard time about the lopsidedness of only three approved teams.” 

“So?” Ron raised his red brows, ignoring Draco’s lighthearted attempt for a conversation. 

Draco sighed, “I dunno, I wasn't aware she was coming back much less the time she will arrive.” 

Ron nodded, “But you patrol tonight, right?”  

“Yeah.” Draco cocked his head, admiring how his red hair was just as red as the foliage of the Forbidden forest was becoming, right behind the concern Weasley. 

Ron pressed his lips together, thinking of how to manage the sudden news of his crush coming in, “Same, after practice. Either way, you’ll probably see Daphne before I can. Do you think you can tell her I want to see her? Tonight, if possible. I think I can manage borrowing the cloak so she can hide-” 

Draco scoffed, “You’re not seriously suggesting that Daphne hide under that thing so you can patrol in peace.” 

“Mate,” Ron whined, his face breaking into a plea.

“She’s going to be tired if she’s traveling all day to get here.” Draco pointed out, “And you want to drag her out of her room?” 

“What other choice do I have?” Ron asked, crestfallen, “I don’t even know if she’d want to talk to me, you know, outside of class. I know you can’t-” 

“That’s different,” Draco pointed out, “Daphne’s different too.” 

Ron stayed silent for a minute before nodding his head slowly, “Right.”  

Draco then sighed, looking around to see if there were any straggling students around them that would over hear the suggestion that he was about to reveal. They weren’t completely alone but that still didn’t stop Draco from leaning close to whisper.  

“Our password is Noble Ophidian ,” Draco winked pausing to see Ron's slow reaction before Draco began to walk away backwards. Thankfully he was far enough to mask that god awful feeling that tingled under his skin when Ron flashed the most genuine appreciative look.  

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 

It seemed like today was the day that the Gyrffindors were growing more bold in approaching Draco without fear of what others might think. 

Draco was out minding his own business, an hour into his patrol and a pocket full of fluxweed, letting a few second years off with a warning. He was in the middle of ordering a pair of Hufflepuffs to rush straight to their dorms when Hermione stormed over with a wild look on her face.  

“Tell me you didn’t!” She softly hissed causing the same second years, tired from a late Astronomy class, to turn to them in surprise. They were curious fresh faced Hufflepuffs that were intrigued by Hermione’s outburst but their droopy eyes were more interested in the comforts of their beds.  

They scurried off after a stern look from Draco, reminding them of their orders.  

“Dr- Malfoy,” She glared and used her finger to poke into his chest. There was a shock that registered in her head but she shook it away to focus on her ambush.  

“Did you plant the idea in Ron’s head to enter the Slytherin dorms?” She hissed softly, taking out the very map that Ron was going to use to lead himself to the Slytherin common room, and lightly smacked his forehead with it. Draco let out a long wistful sigh controlling the goofy grin threatening to come out. 

Poor Ron. 

“He wants to see Daphne,” Draco said with a shrug, “And when I told Daphne when I bumped into her after dinner, it seems like she wants to see him too. She’s resting right now-” 

“There has to be like five different rules you and Ron are breaking!” She cried out, passionately, “Do you know the kind of trouble you both will be in? You for divulging information to someone not from your house and Ron, for sneaking into the fifth year girls dorms-” 

Draco scoffed, “You didn’t seem so opposed by it when I invited you.” 

Hermione's face froze for a second before it crumbled to defiance. She scoffed and scoffed again, unsure and flabbergasted on how to retort. Draco relished in the way she couldn’t exactly look him straight in the eyes.  

“He’s planning on sneaking into the girl’s dorms.” Hermione said with such finality as if that should be enough to stop Ron from attempting. 

“Daphne’s room,” Draco corrected.  

“That she shares.” Hermione glared. 

“We don’t share dorms,” Draco sighed. 

A clear look of confusion filled Hermione’s eyes. Her head shaking slightly, “What do you mean?” 

Draco allowed his hand to extend, silently asking for the map she hit him with. Hermione only hesitated for a moment before she pouted, placing the precious item in his head.  

Sure enough, the old worn parchment displayed the most ornate thin lines outlining all of Hogwarts and the habitants within the walls. Two little flags, with their names on it, floated outside of their Transfiguration Classroom, and near the third floor staircase, the sporadic flow of some those Hufflepuffs coming down from the Astronomy tower were seen on the Map heading back to their house.  

“The Mauraders ...” Draco read out from the top of the map, “It’s a wicked bit of magic, I must admit.” 

His eyes trailed over to what looked like hidden tunnels and one that included a direct path to Honeydukes. It was the first time Hermione had really allowed Draco’s eyes to feast on the amount of information this precious piece of magic held.  

“Huh. Honeydukes, I see,” Draco smirked thinking of that one time in third year when he swore he saw Harry in Hogsmeade when he wasn’t allowed. Or of all the times Draco couldn’t understand how Harry got himself into trouble but miraculously out of it as well. Draco licked his lips and handed the map back to Hermione. 

“Looks like Ron’s heading in our direction,” Draco looked at his watch, noting they still had a good chunk of patrol to do. 

Hermione huffed, “And I’ll stun him for the cloak if you don’t talk him out of it. He can see her tomorrow like the rest of us!” 

Draco rolled his eyes, “Oh, like you haven’t done some crazy things for someone you liked. Her-” 

The footsteps of more Hufflepuffs were coming down the stairs.  

“Granger,” Draco cleared his throat, putting the best authoritative voice. He placed his hands behind his back and tilted his chin up. Hermione chewed on her lip, nervously watching the Hufflepuffs scurry on by. 

“Were you not planning on sneaking out to meet Krum?” Draco asked. It nearly infuriated Hermione that it was being brought up, especially something that didn’t end up happening.  

“You cannot fault me for that,” She cried, huffing at Draco’s audacity to bring that detail up.  

“I can never fault you for anything,” Draco’s eyes flicked over Hermione’s shoulders to see the backs of the Hufflepuff students at a decent distance from them. He then finished off his thought with her name that tasted like honey on his lips, “’Mione.” 

That was enough to stop her increasing irritation. Hermione’s face went blank as she did a double take on him, her brows knitted together in question, in wonder, and in something else that Draco couldn’t quite read.  

“Uh, it is an admirable feat, your map.” Draco cleared his throat, pointing to the folded map in Hermione’s hands, “But it’s still incomplete, you know. Technically inaccurate.” 

“What do you mean it’s inaccurate?” Hermione defended, opening the Map back up to admire how much time and effort was put into it. More Hufflepuff students scurried past them, frightened after a direct look from Draco. 

“It’s incomplete.” Draco cleared his throat, pointing to the level, exactly where the dungeons were, a place Hermione had no knowledge of Slytherin House, other than its entrance. 

They were alone again and Ron’s name was getting closer to them it seemed. 

Draco sighed, “It’s so obvious this map was made by a Gryffindor.” 

His finger traced back to another corner of the map where it detailed the Gryffindor common room, along with both Boy and Girl dorms.  

“Where are the other houses?” Draco challenged.  

Hermione blinked fast, her mind turning as if she had just realized something. 

“None of the other houses are mapped, making it quite selective, doesn’t it?” Draco smirked, “Oh look, Harry is pacing around in his dorm.” 

Ron finally came around the corner, fresh face and exhausted from jumping into a patrol night right after his Quidditch practice. He let out a long audible yawn, “Oh, you two.” 

Not a hint of surprise was plastered on Ron’s face coming across the pair. 

“Hermione’s been lecturing me about allowing you into the Slytherin Dorms,” Draco smirked.  

“Oh,” Ron shifted his weight around uncomfortably, “Yeah, well... how’s Daphne? Did you see her?” 

Draco glanced at Hermione who looked torn.  

“She’s down there, waiting,” Draco winked, “I told her about it and I’m sure she rushing around to make her room presentable.” 

“Ronald, you can’t !” Hermione cried.  

Draco narrowed his eyes suspiciously at Hermione’s, “May I remind you, again, that you were planning on sneaking out of Hogwarts to meet Krum?” 

Hermione was certainly flabbergasted when Draco brought up Hermione’s plan again. Ron had a sense of dignity restored in him.  

“I see,” Ron huffed, “When it comes to your love interest, all the rule breaking is fine. But, if it deals with mine, then the map and cloak is off limits?” 

Hermione screwed up her face, a hint of pain as she glanced at Draco, “That- that was not. You have it misunderstood!”  

Ron went on a long-winded rant about how Hermione’s double standards worked. All the while, Hermione kept her gaze on Draco as if she was truly hurt that he had ratted her out to her friend.  

Draco didn’t want to make it into a competition but when it came to pain, Draco certainly was in the lead. 

Ron and Draco shared a look and began to pair up for their patrol, their spirits high. They hadn't shared a complete thought mid-laugh, when Hermione rushed too follow them.

“If you insist on going Ron, then, I want to come,” Hermione suddenly announced. It certainly took Ron and Draco by surprise. The both exchanged looks wondering how someone who was so adamant about breaking the rules was now wanting to join in.  

Not that Draco minded. She actually wanted to tag along to join Ron. She excused it as a way to securely smuggle him in, but maybe it was more than that and it was something Draco wasn’t against.  

Draco that should have tidied up his room a bit better this morning.  

Hermione pointed at the map, “Actually, you made me realize something, Draco.” 

Draco had a small hope that the next words out of her mouth had to do with her love for him, or something of that nature.  

“And, that is?” Ron cocked his head.  

“You’re right about Gryffindor Tower being so detailed,” Hermione focused her entire attention on Draco who was amused that he might have gotten the better of his friend, “But it wasn’t before. I actually learned how to amend it to include the girls' dorms because Harry had asked me to. Harry couldn’t do it because obviously only places that the map displays are places the map creators have physically seen.” 

Draco felt a pull at the corner of his mouth, “You want to map out Slytherin.” 

“It would be helpful to map everything, including all the houses,” She cleared her throat, “I suppose Slytherin is a good start.” 

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 

It was only about ten minutes before the end of patrol when Draco, seemingly walking alone through the shadowy dark corridors of the Dungeons approached a giant circular door.  

The Moon Door, they called it.  

There was a ton of lore that explained why Salazar Slytherin had a ton of moon references strewn around their living quarters. Draco never questioned it but her was sure that Hermione would be treated to the references to it.  

There was a soft muttering behind him as Draco confidently said the password to the moon door.  

He only caught the last of Hermione soft whispers explaining to Ron that Slytherin had a deep love for the moon and it’s phases. 

The door, which was easily discarded for an old rotten wooden door, glowed a soft silver matching the phase of the current moon.  

A full moon. One of the many reasons it was easy to keep track of the moon cycles for most Syltherins in Astronomy.

The door shifted rolling to the side and allowing them access to the most lush and extravagant common room of Hogwarts.  

The only reason Draco would assume it was the best, was because of the alums that Slytherin had. It was a long list of filthy rich families that spent a great deal of money on investing their donations for their children. 

It was all basically legacy money pouring into Hogwarts. 

It was a certain tradition, Draco would hate to admit, that he would love to donate in the future if he ever had a child sorted into Slytherin. 

The heavy invisible presence of Ron and Hermione behind him felt weaker. Draco stupidly turned around, almost expecting them to be standing there, uncloaked. 

There was nothing but an empty common room, lit by the dark glow of the towering windows that usually gave a spectacular submerged view of great lake. 

During the day, it was a beautiful blue greenish hue that filled their common room, at night the moonlight would shatter its light in the water breaking on the surface, casting bits of flashes in the common room.  

The fireplace had dying embers, and the stillness of the grand common room clearly showed no signs of anyone else.  

“ Homenum Revelio ,” Draco flicked his wand and nothing. Not a single person was in the common room however, once their cloak slipped off and Ron’s gapping mouth summed up the impression they both had. 

“I don’t remember it being like this.” Ron muttered.  

“Huh?” Draco cocked his head. Hermione elbowed Ron.  

“I meant,” Ron cleared his throat, “Daphne described it to me once... I’ve had dreams about it.” 

Draco gave him a suspicious look and pointed to the grand stairs that was highlighted by an even bigger window that the stairs lead up to. A school of sleeping grindylows, floated idly by. 

“Under the stairs is where all the first to third years dorm together,” Draco explained, “By year, of course. After that, we graduate to single room dorms.” 

“How do you have the space?” Hermione blurted out, following Draco who began for the stairs. Her and Ron were huddle close together, the cloak still around their shoulders, partially invisible. 

Truth be told, there was a lot about the Slytherin house that seemed impossible. The sheer size alone, for starters, was impressive. A lot of the patrons have gone out of their way to throw money to make sure that Slytherin will always have enough room to accommodate any class size. 

“We just do,” Draco shrugged, jogging up the last steps, “Cloak on. Now.” 

Ron reacted faster than Hermione and ushered her under to cloak to concealed them both, just in time to see Pansy walk out of the Girl’s Wing on their right, yawning.  

“Did you finally have that Prefect meeting?” Pansy asked, rubbing her eye.  

Draco shook his head, “No. Not until next week.” 

Pansy yawned again, “Did you get to talk to Greengrass yet? Maybe you can convince Snape to have her replace me for Prefect. She probably would have gotten the title if she hadn’t left.” 

Draco blinked, amazing by the good idea, “Yeah, I’ll run that by him.” 

Pansy nodded, “Good.” 

“How’s she settling in?” Draco asked.  

Pansy shrugged, “I heard her shower go off about a few minutes ago, I’ll have to remind her about silencing spells. The walls might be thick enough but the doors are oddly not.” 

Draco smirked, hoping that it was enough information for Ron to remember. 

“Still in her same dorm number?” Draco asked, “4-15?” 

“5-15,” Pansy corrected, rolling her eyes, “You know they change it by year. Mr. 5-08.”  

“Right,” Draco smirked.  

Pansy yawned, “Anyways, Good night.” 

Pansy turned on her heel and stalked off into the shadowy halls of the girl’s wing. Draco waited to hear Pansy’s door close until he relaxed his shoulders, bracing himself for one more stretch of a moment before he turned to nothing in particular.  

Draco cleared his throat. 

“If you missed it, weasle. Her room’s 5-15,” Draco exhaled, speaking to thin air in front of him where he assumed Ron and Hermione were, “I’ll be in my room, 5-08, if anyone wants to discuss charting out maps.” 

Draco slowly began to walk to his left, opposite from where Pansy emerged, into the Boy’s wing. It was a long corridor that branched into four paths that lead to a cluster of ten rooms, meant for the upper years.  

There was a gold-plated number 5 hanging from the ornate ceiling that led down to Draco’s hall for the fifth years. Draco only hoped that Ron was smart to have Hermione help him sneak in, so that she would rush over to him.  

There was a wash of relief to note that Draco’s room was immaculate. It wasn’t as big as his room in the manor, but it was enough. His full sized bed was placed off to the side mirroring the ornate desk that sat next to his handsome bed. The eerie light from the window illuminated his room, highlighting the grand marble arches that joined at the middle of his ceiling making it feel like a small cathedral.  

The soft knock at the door jolted Draco’s heart back to life.  

He wasted no time in opening the door to nothing in particular. His heart pounded until he was brave enough to reach out, feeling the slippery fabric and pulling it off Hermione.  

She blinked twice before cocking her head, “Mind letting me in?” 

Draco’s throat tightened but he stepped aside.  

He didn’t know why he was nervous. It’s not like Hermione hadn’t spent time with him up in the attic during the summer. Why was this any different?

Perhaps it was the fact that his imagination wanted to run wild with thoughts of kissing her passionately in the privacy of his room but he knew he couldn’t. 

He shouldn’t.  

Not if he wanted to hurt himself even more.  

He constantly needed to remind himself that she was with Krum and he battled with the regret that he should have been bolder during their summer.  

Maybe she would have been his. Maybe Snape would have found out and punished him for it, but it was nothing new really. Draco had grown up with punishment and correction.  

What was the worst Snape could do? He already knew his feelings for Hermione. 

“I can’t believe that you helped Ron get a bit of snogging action.” Hermione drawled lazily plopping herself on his bed. Draco gave her a long look after being snapped out of his thoughts.  

“If you ask me,” He rolled his shoulder back, muttering, “I think it’s gonna be a bit more than snogging” 

Hermione perked up, “What?” 

"Nothing."

Hermione lifted her hand just about to shove Draco but, luckily, he was able to dodge her push and put two hands in the air to signal his submission. 

"What do you mean by that?" Hermione pressed on. 

Draco snorted, “Don’t be a prude Hermione. Why else would he risk the chance?” 

“I’m not a prude! Not every time members of the opposite sex come together mean they’ll...” She trailed off but quickly regained her composure, “do anything physical. I’m here with you, and it means nothing of the sort.” 

Draco pouted. She didn’t need to add that second part.  

“Daphne really likes Ron,” Draco slowly repeated, “She somehow convinced her parents, a family who rather flee a country than to face a looming war, to return back to Hogwarts. Why do you think that is?” 

Hermione rolled her eyes tiredly, letting out a long sight. 

“Trust me,” Draco began, “She wasn’t going to return just because she missed the Hogwarts curriculum. And I hope that Ron isn’t stupid enough to let the opportunity to go to waste.” 

Hermione chewed on her lip and stayed silent. Three thudding heartbeats later and Hermione spoke up again.  

“It’s really beautiful. Your room.” She quietly studied, “And quite enviable that you’re given private rooms.” 

Draco nodded, “Yeah, well we were told that young adults needed it a bit more.” 

“Feels a bit... unsupervised, ” Hermione pointed out, “Ron had no problem going into the Girl’s wing just now. In Gyriffindor, boys are not allowed... Isn’t that concerning? Don’t couples, you know?"

Draco’s raised his brows and gave her a serious look, “Oh, you mean shag? Yes of course, all the time.” 

Hermione guffawed.  

“Isn’t that...” 

“Normal?” Draco finished, “Perfectly natural for older students?” 

Hermione opened her mouth wanting to answer but couldn’t. 

“Wasn’t it your own boyfriend wanting to pull you into the Inn back at Hogsmeade-”  

“Will you stop mentioning that!” Hermione whined, looking more embarrassed than annoyed, “Your fixation on that is astounding.” 

“So are you,” Draco quickly added causing Hermione to blush but seemingly taking Draco’s comment as a tease. 

“It’s not the same, Draco.” Hermione slouched, “He didn’t want me to walk alone in the dark. I thought it was rather sweet of him.” 

Draco scoffed, “You mean Krum doesn’t know that his girlfriend is a literal weapon with a wand?” 

Hermione looked flushed.  

“Or perhaps he does know and used it as an excuse to lure you in?” Draco continued.  

“Viktor isn’t like that,” Hermione lamely defended, as if she didn’t believe it herself.  

“Did you think you were being beckoned to read him a bedtime story and tuck him in?” Draco teased. 

Hermione gave him a knowing glare as if she had heard this same argument from both Ron and Harry. Draco was glad that he wasn’t alone in his sentiments.  

“I thought you said I wasn’t stupid for dating Krum,” Hermione quietly said, flipping through the map. She whipped out her wand and pressed the tip carefully on the old parchment.  

Draco observed the thin lines that seeped out of her wand, curling and sculpting themselves to create a new addition to the map. 

It wasn’t long before the names of all the Slytherins began to fade in, placing themselves into each room. Draco spotted Ron and Daphne in the corner of her room until his eyes found Draco and Hermione’s names, idly floating in his very own room.  

A strange thought crossed his mind at that very moment, noticing it was easier to speak to Hermione about her dating. It didn’t necessary rip him to shreds, but he could very well tolerate the squeezing pressure on his chest.  

“You’re not,” He confirmed, “But you also can’t be so naive to think that Krum’s intentions are so pure, especially when he’s likes being physical.” 

Hermione bit her lip while she recalled a memory unknown to Draco. It nearly killed him that Snape didn’t teach him legilimens. He desperately wanted to know where her mind drifted off to at that moment. 

Draco exhaled, “Anyways, it’s just what our house respects, privacy.” 

He added a noncommittal shrug with that simple statement. 

“Because whether it’s private or shared dorms.” Draco shrugged, “It hasn’t stop teenagers from romping around in the bed. It just made it awkward for the rest living there if a couple forgot to cast a silence shield.” 

Hermione closed her eyes tightly, “That’s indecent.” 

“That’s hormones,” Draco crossed his arms correcting her and his eyes flickered over to his desk where he had forgotten to put away his Wand Whisperers magazine. If there was anything indecent it would be that.  

He suddenly felt his pulse in his face when Hermione followed his line of vision.  

Fuck.  

Her eyes focused and it didn’t take a second guess to know that Draco was in trouble. Her face lit up and she rolled around in his bed to reach over to this desk.  

No. 

Draco pleaded to Merlin. Please let it be anything but this. 

“Wand Whisperers?” Hermione repeated and Draco’s face grew hot. Uncomfortably hot. He quickly snatched it away from her before she flipped it open. There was a particular witch he really liked to, um, help him with tense situations.  

It wasn’t a crime to have a scandalous magazine, it was just a private matter... that he happened to have in a very accessible place.  

Hermione’s eyes widen in amusement watching Draco become flustered. 

“It’s... nothing,” Draco cleared his throat, “Just a joke thing...” 

Hermione raised her brows and Draco’s pathetic excuse to explain away a dirty magazine.  

“Are you suggesting that Miss Gemma Wunderlust is just a joke to you?” Hermione grinned, causing Draco to nearly choke on his very breath. How did she even know the name of the witch that he had marked by bending the corner of the page down. Draco cleared his throat; he knew exactly which witch she had laid eyes on. 

But how? She had only glanced at the cover. He had taken it away from her before she had opened it. Seeing the confusion on his face, Hermione wasted no time in filling him in. The delight on her face watching Draco shift his weight uncomfortably on his feet was something Draco wished he could always see, in better circumstances, of course. 

“Ginny found it in one of your Dark Art books over the summer. She guessed you were trying to hide it from Snape.” Hermione giggled as if was merely a lighthearted joke, “She and I spent a very interesting late night studying those witches.” 

He inwardly groaned and Hermione clapped both her hands over her mouth to muffle a laugh watching Draco painfully realize his secret hadn't been one for quite sometime.

Draco gulped, “I read the articles.” 

Hermione almost lost it, her face glowing with more ammunition to humiliate him with, “Oh like the one that mentions how to properly go down on-” 

“Oh for fuck sakes.” Draco moaned out, “Merlin kill me.” 

She laughed, “Draco there’s no shame in it!” 

Draco wanted everything in this room to collapse on him, early death was his only hope at this moment to escape this embarrassing reality. He hands felt clammy and his heart was thudding against his chest, almost in a full panic. 

"Aren't you the one so concerned with Ron going into a girl's room?" Draco scoffed. 

"For breaking the school's rules," She insisted, "I must admit once in a while I wonder... Well, I wish wasn't so curious."

Draco raised a questioning brow at her. 

“We’re all curious!” Hermione continued, “And we all want to learn, don’t we? I suppose your magazine helps supplement that.” 

Draco’s cockiness took over him for a brief moment and he rolled his eyes, “I do not need teaching. I know well enough.” 

"Then why read the articles then, Draco?" She shot back, causing Draco to nearly choke. Hermione laughed leading Draco to believe this was a special kind of torture.

Hermione’s giggles slowly grew silent. She gulped and fiddled with her fingers making the silence grow more obvious as she couldn't help have a thought sink in as she pondered, her eyes far away. 

Draco huffed, casually opening to the page of his favorite witch. His attention shifted slowly down to the bewitching girl running a slow languid hand over her bare collar bone to move the long pieces of thick wavy hair that ran down to her waist. She was dressed in impossibly sheer pieces of green gossamer, strategically placed over the most coveted areas. The witch winked at him, taking off the pair of glasses to reveal more of her heart shape face sprinkled with delicate amounts of light freckles.  

Hermione cleared her throat and the witch immediately shrugged on a robe to conceal herself, going back to the book that she was pretending to read. 

“Draco?” 

“Mhmm?” 

“H-how do you know...” She squeezed her eyes shut, “If you’re any good.” 

He dragged his eyes back up at Hermione who sat on the edge of his bed, looking way more tempting than Miss Gemma Wanderlust. The way Hermione’s knees were locked together but her feet far apart, her curly hair cascading down her back the longest she’s ever kept it and those earnest eyes...  

Those pools of hypnotizing brown. 

It took nearly all of Draco to resist his instinct to take the three paces over and show her how good she can be.  

Draco shook off the fantasy and blinked. 

“Well,” He began, gulping a hard lump down his throat and ignoring the slight warmth creeping up his neck, “Ultimately, it depends. If you feel good and it looks like your partner is enjoying themselves, there’s nothing to worry about.” 

“But what if he-” 

“You think Krum can act his way into cumming?” 

“Draco,” Hermione lightly scolded, but not at all shocked that he had used a vulgar word around her. Draco inhaled, he had to focus on not falling victim to his own fantasies seeing Hermione so willingly on his bed or even think about the extreme latter of her being with someone else.  

What did Snape teach him again? Right.

Walls. 

Compartmentalize.  

Breathe. 

“Blokes are simple. There’s not much to our... enjoyment.” Draco steadily inhaled and exhaled, waving the magazine as proof, “Be a little selfish and try to focus on your own... um. Self.” 

A flash of Hermione’s bare rolling hips and her mouth hanging open pierced through Draco’s mind. He clenched his jaw at how maddening it felt to have these flashes of fantasy.  

“Um,” He shook it off, “Most guys love it when a girl is truly enjoying herself. That's how we know we’re doing a good job.” 

Another flash of Hermione biting her lip and running her hands down her bare chest and torso, infiltrated Draco’s vision. The real Hermione was simply staring off into the distance still sitting on his bed, with the map on her lap.  

“Have you and Mildred?” Hermione began, wincing as if she was embarrassed to asked but not embarrassed enough to kept the question to herself. Draco’s mouth hung slightly open, almost shocked.  

“ Mildred? Me and Millie?” He questioned slowly, “No? We’re friends.” 

Hermione perked up as if the news was intriguing to her.  

“Really?” She said, her eyes narrowing at him as if she was trying to detect a lie. 

“Really,” He confirmed.  

Hermione let out a light scoff, “She likes you, you know.” 

Draco huffed, “I guess. Maybe?” 

“Sooo?” Hermione trailed off, still watching him intently. 

“So what?” Draco responded, slightly annoyed. 

“Well do you like her ?” Hermione rolled her eyes as if she thought Draco stupid for not guess exactly what she was trying to ask.  

“Of course I like her,” Draco rolled up his magazine and bopped Hermione on the head gently. The look of confusion etched on her face only lasted for a brief moment before she let out a nervous laugh.  

“Oh.” She breathed out.  

“I wouldn’t waste my precious fifth year time on people I can’t stand,” Draco continued to explain, “But we're just friends.”  

Draco shrugged, as if it were obvious but it was clearly not enough for Hermione who still looked unconvinced, like she had proof and was keeping it to herself. 

“Yeah but you said that you and Pansy-” 

Draco knew what she was referring to.  

“I was having fun,” He nodded, “We all were having fun.” 

“So,” Hermione chewed on her lip, “Are you having fun ?” 

Draco groaned, “You can’t be insisting I’m sleeping with Millie.” 

Hermione let out a joyous ringing laugh as if she had enjoyed seeing Draco wither in embarrassment. As much as it pained Draco, he couldn’t help but to enjoy the sound of her laugh, even if it was at his expense.  

“Well, you and Pansy are friends,” Hermione pointed out, leading Draco to figure out Hermione’s thought process. She suddenly shifted her weight around, tucking her legs under her as she steadied herself to begin accusing him. 

“I don’t sleep with all my female friends, Granger,” Draco gave her a reassuring look. Clearly, he didn’t or else Hermione wouldn’t be fully clothed at the moment if he could have his way considering they were also friends . “Please stop asking.” 

Hermione smirked, “I will. Only when you stop bringing up Krum.” 

He rolled his eyes, sensing that she didn’t want to be teased again. Draco couldn’t exactly promise that, considering he was beginning to like seeing her squirm in discomfort. Perhaps something the both enjoyed doing to each other.

Draco scanned around his room for a moment before lightly tossing his Wand Whisperer magazine back on his desk. Hermione had resumed working on the map detailing it further. When Draco got around to look over her shoulder, he saw that his own room was even more detailed than the others. 

His bed and desk were perfectly outlined as well as his grey ornate rug. Hermione suddenly turned to Draco, their faces merely inches in distance 

“So you really haven’t...” Hermione began to ask. Draco felt his soul jump back but his body remained, studying the details of her face once more.  

“Haven’t what?” Draco shook his head slightly, indicating he had no clue what she was on about, even though he did. He just wanted her to spell it out so she could feel as uncomfortable as he was now feeling. 

“Mildred,” She said, hoping it was enough to clue Draco in that she was asking if they had slept together. It had and Draco pulled away slightly.  

Draco scoffed, “Why do you want to know Granger?” 

“I don’t know!” She shrugged, “Is she the kind of girl you want to have fun with or-” 

“So inquisitive,” Draco teased, “Didn’t think this was the kind of thing that our precious Hermione would be wasting her time on thinking about.” 

Hermione’s jaw was firm, tensed up.  

They exchanged a loaded look and Draco sighed. “If you really want to know, I don’t think Millie is the kind to want to have fun. She’s witty and nice and I think she is very pretty but she’s quite traditional.” 

Hermione stood up suddenly as if she just realized how inappropriate all of the topic was.  

“Oh.” She sighed out, blinking rapidly, “Right. She does seem like a serious girl.” 

Draco nodded once, “And I don’t intend on fooling around with her.” 

There was a twinge of emotion that sparkled in her eye, another thing Draco desperately wanted to know. He wanted to dive into each and every one of her thoughts and know what she was thinking. 

“Ronald is coming,” She quietly announced. There was a knock at the door a second later and Draco waved his wand to open the door. Ron’s lovesick face popped in. It wasn’t surprising that Hermione had sensed Ron, not when the map was still in her hands.  

“’Mione?” He whispered out, “You in here?” 

Draco who had leaned against the cool tall window, lazily looked over to Ron. He crossed his arms and felt envious of the brightness of his disposition.  

“Daphne really missed you didn’t she?” Draco light teased but the lack of energy in his tone made it sound like anything but.  

Hermione began to gather her wand and map, a blank sort of look on her face as she tucked her hair behind her ear.  

Ron had sensed something was off by the way they were suddenly acting, both aloof. 

“You lot alright?” He asked, grounding himself from the high of his head in the clouds.  

Draco nodded. 

“We both are pretty tired,” Hermione falsely admitted.  

“’Bout time you showed up,” Draco pointed, “Give Greengrass a nice welcoming snog, did ya?” 

Ron sputtered but the flare of red in his face confirmed the fact that he wasted no time in getting closer to Daphne.  

“Actually, she was the one who pulled me in for the kiss,” Ron quietly admitted, “I really just wanted to see her to confirm that she was actually here and I wasn’t making it up in my head.” 

Ron scratched the back of his nervously as if he was blissfully recalling the precious moments he just shared with her.  

“And then we laid down for a bit and she fell asleep in my arms.” Ron flashed a soft crooked smile, “I didn’t want to leave her but I know not to test Hermione’s boundaries with rule breaking. I left a note.” 

Draco glanced over to Hermione as she joined Ron at his side handing over the cloak. Ron promptly prepped the invisibility cloak to cover them both.  

“Honestly Hermione,” Ron smiled appreciatively at his friend, “Thank you. You as well, mate.” 

Draco nodded.

“Oh,” Hermione breathed out, glancing back at Draco as if she had been the one who was fortunate to spend time with a forbidden friend, “It was no trouble at all.” 

They both bid farewell to Draco and with that they were gone. Draco took a moment to stare blankly at nothing in particular until Miss Gemma came into focus, blowing seductive kisses and baring more of her tantalizing shoulders to him.  

Draco had no idea how the magazine was back in his hands again. He really had enjoyed this particular issue since he saw a few traits he liked in Gemma Wanderlust but after the embarrassment, Draco thought it best to retire the scandalous magazine and focus on something better.  

Something like school or quidditch or Millie.  

Or perhaps no girl at all.