fervere

Chapter Forty Six

Off in a little corner of the library, near Madam Pince’s office, Draco was up in the Head Boy’s Study, a private suite meant for the most distinguished male student to carry out his duties. Upon hearing of this perk, Draco was itching to check it out. He raced over with the intention to check on the promise Snape had for him. 

Snape had used the Study to conveniently and discreetly give Draco the Inhibition Potion his student desperately needed. Upon poking his head in, even Draco was mildly impressed with the full suite and the beautiful view of the quidditch pitch off in the distance.  

The cauldron he sought was right in the middle of his desk with a small note.  
 

Only take if and when needed. 
 

The lid was popped off as he peered into the cauldron and the small ladle hooked on the edge, the perfect size of the dose Draco took yesterday morning. Without another thought, Draco spooned out the ladle and cocked his head back to take another shot of the potion before Draco began to explore. 

He had been mildly impressed with the lay out, looking somewhat like a miniature version of Dumbledore’s office minus all the interesting gadgets and instruments that Dumbledore possessed.  

It was a perk Draco never thought he’d ever access. Head Boy was nowhere in his plans as a Seventh Year, much less as a Sixth, and now he understood why there were some Prefects that coveted this position.  

Draco took the time to look around the study and focused on the portraits of past Head Boys, all annotated with different accomplishment on a commemorative plaque. They were all decorated with awards and academic achievements that led them to lucrative positions within their world. 

The desk in the middle of the study room was of light oak, and had draws filled with parchments he needed to read and sign as well as a handbook, which Draco took great interest in.  

He flipped through its pages for a stretch of time before there was a soft knock at his door.  

“Come in,” He muttered not tearing his eyes off the handbook. 

The door creaked open and in came Daphne, her head poking in with a grand smile at the sight of Draco.  

“My, my,” She teased, “Isn’t this fitting for a prince?” 

Draco gave her half hearted smirk before closing the handbook and sighing, “It’s a bit much, isn’t it?” 

Daphne leaned against the door frame and crossed her arms, “Well, yes, but then again isn’t that the point of being a Head? The advantages of it? Is it true you also get access to the restricted section of the library?” 

“I believe I do,” Draco muttered. 

“And you get invited to the Ministry for a tour?” Daphne continued on.  

Draco blinked and turned a few pages on the handbook. He gave her a curt smile, “Yes. How do you know these things?” 

“Mum was a Head Girl in her time,” Daphne shrugged. His eyes flickered up at her and then bounced over to the amount of portraits around him. 

“I suppose her portrait is up in Katie’s Study,” Draco motioned to the frames around them. Daphne whirled around, casting a light interest on the small pictures before she reverted her attention back to Draco. 

“Mum would tell me and Astoria all these stories about her meetings with Professors and having to organize the Third Year’s first trip Hogsmeade and their Halloween Mixer.” 

Draco cocked his head to the side, “What’s a Halloween Mixer?” 

“Just a small party.” Daphne shrugged, giving Draco a pair of wide pleading eyes, “For sixth and seventh years.” 

Draco made a face.  

“I rather that tradition stay dead,” Draco admitted.  

Daphne groaned, “Oh, please, Draco! It would be fun if you could bring back something from the past.” 

“Some would argue corporal punishment was fun and you don’t see professors having the need to bring that back,” Draco responded.  

“After Umbridge, don’t you want to make this year less... restricting?” Daphne wiggled her brows around. 

Draco gave Daphne a rather incredulous look and shook his head, “You think last year didn’t have enough parties?” 

Truthfully Draco had his fill for parties, he thought of the last one he attended, his own, and made a face. 

“Well if you won’t consider it, then maybe I should talk to Katie,” Daphne warned.  

“You’re free to do whatever you please,” Draco said. 

Daphne nodded in agreement, “So, what’s Head Boy life like so far?” 

Draco sighed, feeling a bit like he should be feeling overwhelmed but didn’t exactly know why he should.  

“I don’t know,” He admitted, “I’m reading this handbook to get a better grip on it but other than monthly meetings to keep you lot in line and there’s something in here about having our own meetings with the Heads of House. Not sure if it’s all too difficult other than keeping my grades up and this code of conduct.” 

Draco shrugged.  

“Oh boy,” Daphne smirked, “What’s that mean?” 

“Be a model student,” Draco snorted. 

Daphne snorted, “Oh, well surely there was a mistake in choosing you.” 

She waited for Draco to retort or defend his position but his simply sat there, mulling over a million thoughts in his head. It was curious.  

“Hermione’s upset,” Draco pipped up, flashing a knowing look at Daphne warning her to not go on a lecture about him and her.  

“That was quite the subject change.” Daphne bluntly pointed out. 

“And you know exactly why she is, right?” Draco asked. 

Daphne refrained from rolling her eyes far up into her skull. Her friends were some of the most infuriatingly stupid people she had ever at the displeasure of knowing.  

“Well, I don’t blame her,” Daphne blinked, “If I wrote Ron all summer and the prick never bother to respond, I’d be livid as well.” 

The weight of slow discovery began to press heavy on Draco’s chest. 

“Write?” Draco quietly said, “What do you mean? She wrote? Me?” 

Daphne guffawed in disbelief, “You can’t be serious!” 

Draco’s frown formed deep on his face, nearly offended the way Daphne lacked any faith in him.  

“I am,” He glared, “I thought she, I don’t know, was waiting for me to write first!” 

Daphne straightened up, her mouth parted in thought as she watched her friend closely. Draco’s eyes were soft and lost, something that Daphne picked up on.  

She let out a small huff, “Well, right, why didn’t you? She wrote. Four times, you know.” 

Draco shook his head now feeling completely stupid.  

“I...” He trailed off unsure of how to even speak about his own summer, “I was busy.” 

Daphne guffawed, “Surely you have a better excuse up your sleeve other than ‘I was busy’, Draco. Ginny and I had to sit through several late nights hearing her analyze why you hadn’t bother to respond to her once.” 

Draco wanted this say the perfect excuse was indeed up his sleeve but he refrained from it.

Daphne cocked her head, “What exactly were you doing this summer, Draco?” 

Draco arm twitched and he felt his fists ball up. He wasn’t sure if he should tell Daphne everything yet, but he could tell her this. 

“My aunt, Bellatrix Lestrange,” Draco chewed on his bottom lip, noticing when Daphne stiffened at the mention of that infamous Deatheater, “She took up residence at the Manor.” 

“Oh.” 

Draco muttered, “I didn’t know she was going to stay with us... She's technically on the run from... well, you know. But I doubt the Ministry would care that much if she was spotted out. ” 

It wasn’t the whole truth but it wasn’t a lie and that would have to be enough for now, Draco thought.  

“So perhaps Hermione wasn’t at all crazy trying to defend you,” Daphne scoffed at the possibility, “Do you think the Ministry might have intercepted all the mail coming to your house?” 

Draco shook his hand and shrugged, “I don’t know but I could have written to her too. I should have and I didn’t, I mean, I did, but I never sent...” 

Draco cleared his throat recalling that letter stuffed in the back of his room at the Manor that remained unsent. Daphne was under the impression that Draco must have been off his rocker to refuse to write to the girl he had pine for after so many years. It didn’t make sense he’d drop the ball in such an easy way to win Hermione’s favor. 

“Makes more sense why she’s upset,” Draco scoffed at how guilty he felt and it was all his fault. He couldn’t find it in himself to think he deserved forgiveness over that especially when he was unworthy of it.  

“Did you truly not kno-” 

Draco snapped back at Daphne a bit harsher than he wanted to.  

“I bloody damn didn’t, Daph!” He shouted. Daphne winced at the sudden outburst and watched Draco as he flew up to his feet and started to pace around, his hands on his hips, “I feel like shit about it! And here I’ve been thinking we were just being coy or... fuck, what would I know? Waiting for the other to break first?” 

Daphne nearly wanted to wring both of her friend’s neck. It was infuriating how close they were to practically jumping each other and they still hesitated when they clearly wanted each other. 

Draco inwardly groaned and ran his hair through thick locks of honey blonde hair. He fell back into his armchair and scowled at nothing in particular. 

“She’s been working on getting her memory back,” Daphne said, crossing her arms. She would have to suck it up. If guiding these two train wreaks towards each other would finally yield some positive results, Daphne was going to do it, “It’s like her big project this year, I suppose. Maybe it’ll be a good way to get back in her good graces?” 

Or in her pants, Daphne thought rolling her eyes as Draco digested the idea.  

“It wouldn’t be the worst idea,” Draco gave a half hearted shrug and was suddenly met by a crumpled up ball of paper that hit him square in the face. Draco had no clue how Daphne was able to conjure something like that so fast.  

“Compared to all the other marvelous ideas you already came up with?” Daphne snapped.  

Draco grinned, his cheekiness reflecting in those grey orbs of his. He sighed, exasperatedly and threw his head back.  

“Fine, fine,” He feigned submission, “I’ll go find her and apologize.” 

“Her first class of the day is Runes,” Daphne added, glancing at a very thin looking watch on her wrist, “It’s about to finish.” 

“Great, I’ll wait right outside,” Draco smiled and patted Daphne’s shoulder for the great idea, “Thanks.” 

“Draco?” Daphne pipped up before Draco got too far. He padded back, hanging at the door with wide expecting eyes, “There’s one more thing...” 

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 

Hermione had trouble sleeping that second night back. She was tortured with the sweetest of images she could dream of. 

She also woke up to an embarrassing breathy moan in the middle of the night, causing her to place a silencing spell around the alcove of her bed. Hermione had to sit up and stare into the darkness of the Girl’s dorm, hoping that no one else had been disturbed out of their sleep from Hermione’s soft whimpers that night.  

Potions opened a flood gate of feelings and memories she wasn’t ready to address in the middle of a lesson, but her dreams that night? 

It gave her mind liberties to explore what hadn’t been and left her dizzy and confused the next morning.  

Hermione ended up going to her first class, Ancient Runes, incredibly tired and exasperated at the thought that memory retrieval wasn’t exactly a smooth process. 

Once her mind was cracked opened, everything else began to slowly fall into place.  

It was precisely in Runes where Hermione had another flashback. 

Berkana was the first Rune she spotted when she cracked the book open that morning and, Dear Merlin, it was like it connected parts of her disconnected memories like a thread weaving everything into place.  

It still felt muddy and not precise but it cemented the idea that Hermione was not just having some vivid fantasy in the middle of a lesson. 

Now that she was almost certain Draco’s hands had been on her in a feverish sort of way, Hermione was desperate to figure out this Forget-Me-Not Elixir to help her fully restore the reason why she fell into madness at the call of his urgent lips. 

“We will start reading and transcribing some advance passages next lesson,” Professor Babbling announced, “Please pick up a packet of the works at the Library, Madam Pince should have it prepared for you already. The sooner you begin to look over it, the easier our next lesson should be. Any questions?” 

Out of habit, Hermione almost raised her hand but paused when she didn’t have a question ready at the front of her head. She blamed Draco for that.  

“Class dismissed, I’ll see you on Friday!”  

Hermione collected her things, silently dreading what other triggers she will accidentally stumble on today.  

Would she need a moment in Arthimancy? Is there something in Herbology that will unlock the floodgates of even more things?  

Hermione couldn’t imagine having to sit through an entire lesson turned on.  

There was chatter around her as they all slowly exited the class. The unified sentiment was that all ten students planned on going straight to the Library to pick up that packet from Madam Pince. Hermione was no different. She adjusted the strap of her bookbag that was cutting into her shoulder. Her wrong shoulder.  

She made a face and switched, her mind focusing on the light dull pain from her socket as she stepped out of the class. She hadn’t realized there was an eruption of whispers and giggles around her until she looked up and found Draco, leaning against the wall right in front of Runes class. He had a book open in his hands, looking as nonchalant as he could pretending to read. 

His smirk quirked up.  

“Ah, Granger!” He piped up, “What a surprise seeing you here.”  

Hermione felt her insides harden and then soften and then mix up in the most illogical manner it drove her insane. She marched on, ignoring him. Draco quickly caught up to her and matched her speedy pace with ease.  

“I want to apologize,” He said simply and Hermione gave him a side glare. 

“You don’t say?” Hermione muttered, “Go on, then.” 

She nearly screeched into a halt and crossed her arms putting a defensive front while her toes were curling in fear when he came closer in.  

Why did he have to get so much more attractive over the summer, Hermione whined in her thoughts.  

“Apologize,” She demanded and instead of seeing Draco falter and seem rather regretful, his eyes flared in delight.  

“Quite the edge in your tone,” He smirked.  

“Draco, I don’t have the patience to endure your toying. I rather just get it over with if you just want to apologize to save face-” 

His nose scrunched up, “You think I take this lightly?” 

“When do you ever take things seriously?” She sighed. It wasn’t that she believed it. Hermione was sure Draco took a considerable amount of things seriously. It just so happens when it came to her, Hermione could never quite tell.  

His face hardened, “I know you’re upset I didn’t write.” 

Hermione glared.  

“It doesn’t excuse it,” Draco continued on, “But I didn’t receive anything from you as well.” 

Hermione almost looked offended, “What do you mean you didn’t-” 

“I know, Daphne told me you wrote,” Draco admitted, “And it doesn’t excuse the fact that I could have taken control of things and written myself, instead of waiting to see if I’d get a letter first.” 

Hermione felt herself disarm, especially at the sight of his tongue darting out to wet his lips for a second. She wanted to argue back that he was right. He could have written but he decided not to. He hadn’t thought of her the way she thought of him all summer and it embarrassed her recalling how hopeful she had been. 

“Oh,” Was all that Hermione had been able to say and she wanted to climb the highest tower and throw herself off the ledge for that weak response.  

“I’m not stupid. I know you won’t easily forgive me and I’m not asking you to,” Draco gulped, “But how about I make it up to you?” 

Hermione scoffed, “How? You’re going to write letters here?” 

Draco rolled his eyes, “That’s not what I had in mind but if you want that, then I’ll do it.” 

“What is it?” Hermione asked ignoring his light teasing.  

“You want your memories back?” Draco asked, his smile seemingly knowing.  

Hermione almost felt her heart leap out of her chest.  

“Do you remember anything? About the night?” She blurted out, almost embarrassed if he finally came around to it.  

“No, but Daphne told me you’ve been reading up on it.” Draco confessed, “Is it like a project you’re working on? Like how Daphne’s trying to work her way up to a mentorship at St. Mungos?” 

It only irked Hermione further that Draco had no clue why she was doing this because it was all in her letters. 

She gulped, “I suppose you can say it’s like a project. Sort of. But, you know, you could have known much earlier had you read my letter-” 

“Received,” Draco corrected which only made Hermione huff yet again.  

“Will you stop with the semantics?” Hermione whined.  

“Will you stop ignoring me? You don't have to forgive me now but just give me the time,” Draco asked, and Hermione wasn’t quite sure if Draco knew his eyes were wide and pleading. She had to softly gasp for air after his stare made her breathless. And as if Draco could sense Hermione’s walls coming down, a cheeky smile began to pull as those damn lips. 

Hermione caved, leading Draco to the very Library she intended to visit.  

“I have a private study they gave me for Head Boy,” Draco offered, “If you wish to keep things... um, private. Your project, I mean. I know that your house insists on sharing dorm space. Can’t be comfortable at all having everyone know what you’re doing.” 

Hermione thought of last night’s dreams and how she had been tempted to have her fingers inch down her stomach and hook underneath her slick folds. The one thing that stopped her was the shame of taking in such pleasure in a shared dorm, despite shielding her area in a silencing charm. 

Hermione ripped her eyes away from Draco’s fearing that he might have read her so clearly with his skills in legilimency.  

“Yes, well,” Hermione cleared her throat, “It’s not comfortable but it’s all we have.” 

“So use my Head Boy Study, if you must,” Draco encouraged. 

“But it’s yours!” Hermione retorted.  

Draco snorted, “Yes, and? You should see how big our Sixth Year’s rooms are. I don’t need the privacy. You do. If anything, I might pop in and out to grab some forms they have lying around and double check some things in the handbook.” 

“I don’t know Draco...” Hermione groaned out.  

“How about I show you first and then, if you like it,” Draco began, “We can make a schedule so you don’t have to worry about me popping in unexpected.” 

Hermione gulped, “And if I need your help? W-with the project?” 

Draco gave her a long blank stare, his heart skipping a beat.  

“Yeah,” He breathed out, “Sure, if you need me. Just let me know. You want to go check it out? I heard you were reading a book about it? What have you found so far?” 

Hermione chewed on her bottom lip, unable to think of a better worst idea. 

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 

Harry had been minding his business reading over an old tattered book next to the roaring fireplace of the Common Room. It had been cloudy all day and right as the evening began, a freezing down pour of rain battered the students, soaking them to the bone if they were unfortunate enough to be caught outside.  

Like the Slytherin Quidditch team, who were in the midst of their try-outs, still raging on despite the rain. Harry thought he should be worried for his own try-outs happening the following day but with this book in his hand, it was a problem he’d face for tomorrow.  

The book in his hand was far more interesting and less depressing than the thought of flying in icy cold rain.  

“Harry?” 

Hermione low melodic voice floated into Harry’s mind but the reaction to her presence was minimal. 

“Harry!”  

He snapped up, immediately shutting the book as if were a collection of his private thoughts.  

“Yeah?” 

Hermione frowned at him but decided to let it go. She knew better than to push Harry into a corner with her questions that itched at the back of her mind.  

She wasn’t sure if he was aware that he had been clinging on to that book and the prize he received from Slughorn ever since their first lesson of potions concluded. Nevertheless, Hermione went for the easy approach.  

“Just caught a glimpse of the Slytherin try outs.” Hermione casually mentioned, “Looks like they only have one spot open. I think they have nearly twenty battling it out.” 

Harry perked up and looked over at Hermione who was fixing her hair, her nose bright red from the cold’s lashing.  

“You were outside?” Harry asked, intrigued.  

“I watched from the parapet of the Astronomy Tower.” Hermione admitted, “How many spots are open for Gryffindor?” 

Harry squinted in thought, “Well we need beaters now that Fred and George are gone. Angelina Johnson too, so we need another chaser for Gin and Katie. Otherwise, Ron and I have our spots covered.” 

“How many signed up?” Hermione lowered herself on the ground, next to Harry’s feet. She sat near the fireplace to quickly warm up from that whipping wind and icy bits of rain that manage to reach her through the large windows of the tower.  

Harry reached into his bookbag that was still by him and sighed, “Four. And I’m hoping that at least half of them are decent flyers. I might have to move some positions around for the sake of the team and for the hopes that we don’t make a fool of ourselves this year.” 

Hermione licked her lips, “Our chances are that low?” 

Harry gave a have hearted shrug, “I dunno. Well see how it plays out tomorrow. I don’t much about McLaggen’s flying but Ginny's vouching for Demelza Robins.” 

“And the other two?” Hermione rubbed her numb hands together.  

“I don’t know.” Harry pouted, “Ron said he was going to try to convince a few in Seventh Year to try out.” 

“Speaking of Ron, where is he?” Hermione asked.  

Harry pulled out his map this time and smirked.  

“Shacking up with Daph in her room,” Harry snorted. 

Hermione chewed on her lip, that pressing questioned still at the front of her mind.  

“Listen Harry I’ve been thinking.” 

“Of course you have,” Harry snorted, “What about this time?” 

Hermione turned her head to gauge’s Harry’s reaction, “About that memory potion they gave you at St. Mungos.” 

Harry’s lightheartedness immediately turned somber and Hermione knew his mind drifted off to his godfather. 

“Did you hear a name for it?” Hermione asked. 

Harry cleared his throat, “I... Not the real name I think. I took plenty of things there and they called them all memory joggers.” 

Hermione deflated. She had only found one potion that could help and to hear Harry might have taken a fleet of them didn’t help.  

Harry snorted and collapsed to the side into the soft squishy love seat to stare up into the ceiling of the Common Room.  

“To be honest, I think most of what I was taking were teas.” Harry laughed, “Chamomile... and mint. I think vertiserum too, just to put away the doubt that I wasn’t lying about what I was remembering.” 

“They thought you would?” Hermione cocked her head.  

“Well memory retrieval isn’t pleasant Hermione,” Harry sighed, I think about that Death Chamber and I... I wish I could just forget everything again.” 

Hermione nodded solemnly, “No one blames you for handing over the Prophecy to Lucius, Harry. We were deceived and took hits no student should ever have to fight off. What I would give to send a hex at the deatheater that dislocated my shoulder.” 

She put a supportive hand on Harry’s stiff knee. He immediately sat up to narrow his eyes at Hermione. 

“How do you know?” Harry blurted out.  

Hermione opened her mouth but then her eyes widen at the realization. Sure, a few flashes of a memory weren’t as tempting as the one she dreamt about but they were there, in her mind. 

“I... remember.” Hermione whispered in disbelief, “N- not everything but that and... other things.” 

Hermione began to search through her memories and, although fuzzy, she could slightly begin to outline what happened that night. Even the sickening thud that caused her to dislocate her shoulder felt as visceral as her other raw ones. She launched herself into an investigation with Harry, asking about the tiniest recollection she had.  

“We marked doors off?” Hermione squinted.  

Harry was now pacing around in front of the fireplace, deep in thought.  

“Yes,” He confirmed, “The round room, it ro-” 

“Spun,” Hermione heaved out a sigh.  

“Then?” Harry whirled to Hermione, expecting more details to pour out of her. 

Hermione chewed on her lip and she shook her head, “I...” 

She deflated when another tornado of sensual visuals gave her whiplash. She certainly wasn’t going to share what wasn’t needed to Harry. 

“I’ve read about a certain potion,” Hermione cleared her throat, “It’s called the Forget-Me-Not Elixir. I spent most of my summer with the help of Tonks trying to find anything in regards to memory retrieval and that’s the only thing that came up... and just by name. There’s no description of the potion or even how to make it.” 

“Have you tried asking Slughorn?” Harry suggested. Hermione gave a slight nod. 

“I will but he seems enamored by you... I was thinking perhaps you could ask?” Hermione pouted, “He was more than impressed with your potion skills.” 

Harry looked mildly chuffed.  

“I think he overestimates my abilities.” Harry truthfully added.  

Hermione was already reaching into her bookbag to see if Harry could ask about a certain book title to Slughorn. She cracked open her book and a small paper flittered out. She quickly bent down to fetch and just as Harry looked over her shoulder, scanning through the exact page she was reading.  

Harry muttered out the words on the page as Hermione opened the folded piece of paper open.  

“For more information on the Forget-Me-Not Elixir please refer to Chiro: A Guide to Advance Magical Medical Practices.” Harry read. 

Hermione heart stopped for a full second.  

“’Mione?” Harry snorted, “Why not ask Daph?” 

“Huh?” Hermione stupid huffed out, clinging on to the slip of paper with her name written on it with a neat scrawling. 

“It looks like a medical book,” Harry pointed out, “Obvious isn’t it?” 

Hermione tore his eyes off the paper, “What is?” 

Harry’s bright green eyes sparkled at the realization he figured something out before Hermione. 

“Why go to Slughorn when Madam Pomfrey is there! It’s obviously a medicinal potion if they gave it to me at St. Mungos.” Harry smiled, patting Hermione as she began to digest the information. Harry skipped off leaving his friend flabbergasted.  

Her eyes scanned over the writing in the note and her heart soared, twice. She would have to ask Daphne, yes, but her mind was occupied on the few words directed at her.  
 

Surprised, Granger? I promised I’d write, 
didn’t I? Never said it’ll be an owl.            

                                                      D 

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 

After quidditch try-outs completed and a new team member selected, the Slytherin team all gathered around the Draco’s room after Dinner to share a drink. 

It was certainly an upgrade to their last year’s dorm room.  

Draco had a small receiving area for guest with to fat armchairs and a small tea table he didn’t think he’d ever use. There was also a floor to ceiling bookshelf filled with all his required text as well as extra readings that supplemented his work if needed. It ensured Draco didn’t need to fight for the few copies the library provided for a whole school of students.  

There was a walk-in closet, perfect for all of Draco’s things to be put away properly as well as plenty of blankets and extra pillows to spare. Their bathroom was bigger too, giving space to a rather large clawfoot bathtub to soak in. Draco had his own study area tucked into a private corner where his desk was. It wasn’t his private Study up in the Library but he had to guess it was much more than what the other houses offered.  

His favorite feature so far was the large window nook that was cozy enough to imagine Hermione curled up by with a book in her hand, while the green glow of the lake illuminated her figure. 

Draco licked his lips at the thought but quickly dismissed it.  

Crabbe was walking idly around, as if he was comparing rooms with Draco.  

“Yours is a lot neater,” Crabbe pointed out.  

Goyle snorted, draped over one of the arm chairs by the receiving area with a butterbeer bottle in his hand, “It’s a simple tidying spell, mate.” 

Crabbe rolled his eyes, “I find comfort in chaos, isn’t that right Nott?” 

Theodore who was seated at the foot of Draco’s bed, on the floor, looked up. He and Pucey were marveling at the quidditch play model Draco once showed Hermione.  

“Huh?” Theo breathed out.  

Crabbe ignored his confusion, “Theo and I find a bit of mess welcoming. I can’t see how you can even relax in your own room without ruining the perfection.” 

Draco shrugged, taking a swig from his bottle, “Go ahead and ruffle up my things. Like Goyle said, it a rather simple tidying spell.” 

“We’re out of Butterbeer,” Bletchley announced, “Wanna come with me Warrington? I’ve got a crate back in my room.” 

“I snuck in a bottle of Firewhiskey!” Pucey announced jumping to his feet to join the other two boys to fetch their things.  

It was a rather clam gathering despite their drinking. They thought it would be best to welcome Theodore Nott into the team properly and, after braving that freezing rain, Theo really did deserve a warm welcoming. 

The other younger hopefuls weren’t too disappointed in losing out to Nott. They were promised to be trained under Nott himself for a better chance of making the team next year.  

“I didn’t think we were getting drunk on a Tuesday,” Theo piped up. Crabbe and Goyle snorted and handed Theo a vial of Hangover Cure. It was mostly effective if they didn’t get black out drink, which Draco was not planning on. 

“Don’t worry,” Crabbe assured, “We won’t get too messed up.” 

He looked over to Draco who was lounging by the window nook and smirked.  

“We’ve got a Head Boy in our midst,” Crabbe pointed out, “Don't forget, he’s got a codex to abide to.” 

Goyle set his empty bottle down and crossed his arms at Draco.  

“Oh yeah!” Goyle mused out, “How are we supposed to have fun when we now have a fun ruiner in our circle?” 

Draco sighed, “Don’t push it. I’ve got to at least care a bit about my role.” 

Crabbe laughed, “Gonna turn us in if we’re a bit bad?” 

Draco rolled his eyes, “And lose my position as Captain as well? Fat chance. Just don’t do anything that would force me to use my authority.” 

Crabbe smirked, “As long as you can make an exception to us bending the rules.” 

Draco sighed, “When have I not bent the rules? Most of last year we broke several of them so I think you’ll be fine. Just don’t do anything stupid.” 

Crabbe had a rather playful defensive look on his face, “We broke the rules for out DA meetings. Doubt a worthy cause is anything but rebellious considering Umbridge last year.  

Draco rolled his eyes, “Oh yeah, I’m sure all those parties were a part of said worthy cause, wasn’t it?” 

Theo laughed, “Those were some crazy parties, weren’t they? Speaking of parties, Daphne mentioned a Halloween Mixer? Are the Prefects having one this year?” 

Draco gritted his teeth, “Oh god, not that again.” 

“What is a Halloween Mixer?” Goyle asked.  

Crabbe filled him in, “Daphne said it was like a dinner party with some of the professors for sixth and seventh years.” 

Goyle made a face, “Never mind, partying with our professors?” 

“I can think of only one person who would go insane for the opportunity.” Crabbe laughed before Goyle chimed in with his friend as they both said.  

“Hermione.”  

They both let out a hearty laugh and upon hearing the distance grunts outside, Crabbe and Goyle rushed towards the door to allow their other three team mates push in a small crate of butterbeers.  

Draco’s mind flashed back to that morning, when they decided on a schedule as he showed her his new Study. Hermione had thoughtfully selected the weekends and Wednesday to carry out her project. Draco even allowed her to take up a full desk drawer to keep her things in.  

The spark of joy upon seeing Hermione’s stone face break, filled Draco motivated him to gain her trust back. Letting her use his office was a step in the right direction. The next was helping her out if she needed him.  

And when she did inevitably needed him, Daphne had made sure that he had the information that she was sure would make Hermione weak in the knees. 

Right now, Draco was working on leaving her notes, surprising her so he wouldn’t leave her mind for a second. He knew his actions would cause the girl he yearned for to roll her eyes at his attempts, all the while she loved the teasing attention Draco gave her. 

Draco was very serious in earning her forgiveness in any way possible and he was going to bombard her with his apology. 

“So Granger,” Theo cleared his throat and Draco perked up, seeing that Theo was looking directly at him. He grabbed his desk chair freely and dragged it over to Draco by the window. 

“Is she still with that Krum bloke?” Theo asked, straddling his chair, using the back of the frame to rest his arms on.  

Draco couldn’t help the look of distaste twist his features, “Merlin, no!” 

Theo chimed in thoughtfully, “It was quite the odd pair, donchu think? Fame quidditch player and a student?” 

Draco felt the flare of defensiveness rise to his face, “What’s so odd about it?” 

“Nothing,” Theo half agreed, “But it made me curious to what Krum saw. He would have plenty of women at his dispense. Makes you think the kind of remarkable witch Hermione is. Is she seeing anyone?” 

Draco wanted to snap out a yes just to divert Theo’s curiosity but Goyle shook his head, joining in the small chatter they were having in the corner of Draco’s room, “Nah, mate. Heard all the Gryffindors in our year are very much single. Well, except for Weasley and Thomas. Heard about him and Ginny?” 

Theo glowed, “You don’t say.” 

Something told Draco that Theo wasn’t interested in the gossip of Dean and Ginny. Goyle handed both Theo and Draco a new bottle of Butterbeer as he opened his own. Warrington, Bletchley and Pucey who seem to be having their own independent conversation with Crabbe who was inspecting the aged bottle of Firewhiskey. 

“That’s what Pansy said,” Goyle smirked, “She’s been quite involved with wedging herself into Gryffindor.” 

That was news to Draco.  

“Why?” Draco asked. 

“Mate, she’s been trying to reel in Harry,” Goyle laughed, “Can you imagine? Another Gryffindor Slytherin couple?” 

“I think I can imagine another,” Theo said smiling expectantly at Draco, “So what’s Hermione like?” 

There was something about the tone in Theo’s voice that didn’t sit right with Draco.  

“Shouldn’t you know?” Draco narrowed his eyes at his friend, “You’ve talk to her before.” 

“She likes roses,” Goyle pipped up and Draco wanted to throttle his other friend, “And well, studying. Books. Oh and very humanitarian, she’s tried to teach me about house elf rights. Kind of bonkers if you ask me.” 

“Doesn’t the word Humanitarian imply that it’s for... humans?” Theo questioned. 

“Pushing for humane acts on what you consider non-humans, is in itself humanitarian,” Draco glared at Theo, defending Hermione’s stance. 

“She quite bossy with homework but I can’t lie, I did benefit from having Hermione as a tutor last year. By the way Draco, she mentioned wanting to lead tutoring this year. Hopefully she does, I can use some help with Charms this year. She’s honestly really cool mate,” Goyle nodded slowly, glancing at Draco.  

Theo nodded thoughtfully, “Ginny’s pretty cool too.” 

“She’s taken,” Draco shot, causing Theo to grin.  

“It’s only an observation, Draco,” Theo snorted. 

“Oh!” Goyle gasped, “And her birthday is in, like, two weeks and some change.” 

Draco’s Tuesday evening was supposed to be a rather relaxing end of his day. It was now making him feel tense, like he should be on his toes. All the things he thought he was certain of Hermione was now tested to be lacking.  

He hadn’t even thought of her own birthday while he suffered with the celebration of his.  

“What do muggles do for their sixteenth?” Theo muttered in thought. 

“Sixteen?” Goyle snorted, “She’s turning Seventeen!” 

“You don’t say? An older women,” Theo grinned broadly, “That’s appealing.” 

It earned Theo a well deserved glare from Draco.  

A resounding headache began to throb into existence and Draco just knew he would need the help of another shot of Inhibition Potion to survive his first week back. 

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 

Mum,                                                                                             

I’ve settled in quite quickly. I haven’t had time this first few days    
to search for what I need to repair. I will have an opening this         
weekend. I’ll let you know what I find to give you a rough idea of    
what I’m looking at in terms of extent of damage.                           
                                                                                            Draco 

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 

Draco liked the Inhibition Potion.  

It made him feel like a more relaxed version of himself which made his worry about his impending vow to Voldemort feel like a far away promise to meet up for tea, hopefully, one day.  

Maybe. 

When he wasn’t on it was concerning.  

And Draco quickly found out why Dumbledore had been concerned for him.  

He had just discretely slipped Hermione another note, in the pocket of her robe when he walked by her. He gave her a polite stiff smile as he ventured on over to his Head Boy Study after a rather pleasant weekend. 

He was able to locate the second vanishing cabinet in the Room of Requirements and despite its rather derelict appearance it didn’t bother him how much work he needed to embark on.  

Did that worry him? 

Yes, but not in the manner he thought would debilitate him. 

When he woke up that Monday morning, he felt the trickle of that worry begin to grip on him, like the anxiety was beginning to rear its ugly head to ruin his second week. 

No matter, there was still that cauldron of potion Draco had relied on in his Head Boy Office. He asked Hermione not to touch. He had explained to her that he was under a lot of pressure so it was the only potion that allowed him to function.  

It was the truth, somewhat, but it eased Hermione’s rather curious look at him as if she were already suspicious of him.  

Draco smiled at the thought of her finding the note he just slipped to her.  

The though brought a rather overwhelming feeling of heat when his mind jumped over to his desire to be slipping something else in Hermione.  

By the time Draco reached his office, he was rather stirred up. It was made worse that her scent lingered in his office, knowing full well that she had several cups of tea here, mint to be exact.  

He threw himself at his chair, his legs shaking uncontrollably as he tried to get a grip of the wash of want now spreading through his body like fire.  

It wasn’t just want, though.  

He felt like he could domineer.  

Conquer the world if he so pleased if it wasn’t for that raging headache now gripping his mind. Draco stood back up, breathing slowly through his nose as if his breathing exercises from occlumency would help him stop the spread of pain.  

He threw open the cabinet that had the cauldron of Inhibition Potion and found it empty.  

His gripped on to his hair and sighed.  

He had finished the last of it Saturday morning. Draco took a deep breath.  

He’d have to cancel his meeting with Katie to speak with Snape to beg him to whip up another batch of Inhibition Potion for him.  

Right as the thought began to form in his head there was a knock at his door.  

Millicent Bulstrode poked her head in and suddenly a trickle of horror filled Draco. 

No. 

Draco's raging thoughts began to torture himself at the horror of his realization. 

Millicent Bulstrode wasn’t so bad to look at.  

She thinned out over the years from a growth spurt that made near nearly as tall as Draco. Her face was still round but lost all that baby fat that had plagued her up until last year. She cut off her pigtails she usually wore and how was a face framing shaggy bob cut that softened her now feminine face.  

Draco’s eyes lasered on her shapely lips when she spoke.  

“I was just speaking to Professor Hagrid” She announced, “And he said that your shipment of Owl food just got here. He’s asking if you’d like to keep your supplies with him or have it up by the Owlery.” 

Draco stuttered, his mouth drying up like chewing on cotton.  

Millicent glanced around the place for a second before settling her bright brown eyes on him.  

“Or here?” She made a face, “Although, Hagrid did mention it’s better to keep food out of the castle. He said it’ll attract an infestation of wild doxies if you do.” 

Draco gulped, gritting his teeth.  

“Are you okay?” Millicent questioned, crossing her arms. It only revealed the fact that Draco hadn’t noticed how breasty Millicent had gotten, “You look feverish.” 

Draco nervously rubbed the back of his neck, shocked that his groin was beginning to ache.  

It was more concerning that it was reacting to someone who wasn’t Hermione. 

He inwardly groaned when that wretched girl entered his mind again. His member was now fully erect, throbbing under the covers his robes.  

Draco gulped, hoping that Millicent would have the decency to leave him alone the second he responded. He feared his body didn’t give a flying fuck who was willingly open to receive him.  

“The Owlery,” Draco nodded, “Tell Hagrid I don’t mind if other students use some of my supplies. Mum always orders way too much anyways.” 

Millicent nodded and thankfully walked away. Draco was grateful because he could feel small beads of sweat begin to form at his hairline in anxiety.  

His main concern now was that he wouldn’t be able to get rid of his hard on before his first class of the day started. The fact that his body reacted to Millicent that way would have to be a topic he'd tackle for another time. 

Speaking of time, Draco glanced at his watch and inwardly groaned. He didn’t have time to go to Snape for help and he definitely didn’t have time for Katie who he had promised to speak to regarding Head matters. He raced out, managing to bump into Katie as he raced out of the library.  

“Wait!” She shouted and if Draco was a bit less startled by this recent development, he might have whirled around and grabbed Katie to pull her into his office to do Merlin-knows-what. 

“I’ve got to go!” Draco shouted over his shoulder, “Reschedule? Tonight?” 

Draco didn’t stick around to hear her response. He raced to the nearest safe spot he knew of: The Prefects Bathroom and once behind its secure doors Draco began to strip himself of his clothes as the water gushed into the pool, filling it with scents and calming drafts that only made his ache worse.

It hadn’t helped the way Draco had hoped for but the second he dipped his body into the warm waters, his hand immediate found his throbbing member. He began to give himself long tight strokes, letting the back of his head fall back, resting against the edge of the pool.  

If this was any indicator on how delicate Draco’s situation was this year, he feared he needed to be extra intuitive with how he was feeling.  

The alarm bells of deeply needing to find release concerned Draco but once he found his rhythm and his chest began to rise rapidly the closer he came to the edge of his desire, he forgot what had lead him here. Draco's abs tightened and a guttural moan escaped his mouth when his member twitched when he arrived at the blinding climax There was a wash of exhaustion and clarity that came over him.  

It took Draco a moment before he could move his limbs. He felt like dead weight for a second but when he recovered, Draco felt somewhat restored. His headache was gone and finally got rid of that dizzying mounting pressure in his core that skewed his reality.  

He groaned, face with the reality that if Draco wasn’t careful, he was going to ruin himself a lot more than he already was.