II - Resppicta
It was the second day back at Hogwarts, classes officially started today and her stomach was in a sea of knots. Hermione had managed to avoid almost everyone entirely. Ginny was out late after the dinner ceremony of the sorting hat and left earlier in the morning for what she could only presume was quidditch practice before the trials began in the following week.
Lavender and Parvati had stuck closely to one another, both sending her rather inconspicuous glances as she laid lifelessly in her bed. She had found herself fiddling with the ring on her finger absent-mindedly as she wracked her brain for reason. The whole start to her sixth year was about to send her clinically insane. She could only imagine the faces her friends would pull if she were to tell them the truth.
As it turned out, Dolores Umbridge was this year's new DADA teacher yet had some fickle history with the ministry. Hermione knew she would have to do some research on the woman before the quarter moon when she would be able to open the envelope, which was still a lengthy two weeks away.
She noted the time which was a glaring seven o’clock. As she made her way down for breakfast, she found herself holding onto the fabric of robes for reassurance. Dean and Thomas couldn’t be too hard to spot, perhaps even the twins would let her eat with them.
“Hermione over here.” Fred called out, his lop-sided smile settling the butterflies that rallied through her stomach.
Making an effort not to turn her gaze towards the Slytherin table, she sat beside George and shook his hand in earnest greeting.
“How did you two manage to escape the flu?” She asked nervously, pulling some toast onto her plate and jam.
“Well as you might know, this fine young bloke has managed to snatch himself a rather fetching prize.” George giggled, his thin eyebrows waggling.
“You what?” Hermione gasped, failing to hide her surprise.
“Woah Hermione, I always thought that you agreed I was a bit of a looker.” Fred groaned, placing his knife against his heart mockingly.
“I didn’t mean it like that,” she whined, her hands waving defensively as she tried to muster the right words. “I just have never seen a weasley with any tack before.”
The twins chortled, facing burning a bright red as they gasped for air. “Poor Ronald, he has no hope does he?”
Hermione quickly flushed her own shade of red, deciding to ignore that comment. Her history with Ron was quite unique. The pair often fought like dogs and cats, yet she couldn’t deny at times she found him oddly charming.
“I don’t suppose either of you have some parchment I could borrow to send some owls?” Hermione asked, taking a pen from her pocket as she glanced at either of them expectantly. Both of the twins had failed their NEWTS and Molly would not hear of their invention for the joke shop. Instead, they would have to pass them all to be allowed to put their savings into it.
“Here ya go.” Fred answered, dropping a hefty stack in front of her plate. “Knock yourself dead.”
“At this rate I may try.” She chuckled under her breath, though she could feel her eyes daring to roll into the back of her head.
Dear Mother and Father,
I hope this letter finds you well. I have safely made it to Hogwarts without much delay and things seem to be setting out smoothly though I am rather nervous to begin NEWT classes. I do hope my studies weren’t for nothing over the holiday. I would like to question everything regarding the engagement process, the obligation of willingness, why I was not consulted about this and about fathers health. If not for those important questions I do have some secondary questions such as: what debt are we truly in, why are we taking payments from the Malfoys and do you even know what kind of people they are? They truly are horrible people with values which certainly clash with my own. I do hope you are doing better but I cannot express my gratitude in this situation.
From yours,
Hermione.
With a quick flick of her wrist she finished off her scroll and tucked it into her pocket. Everything would be fine. She couldn’t afford to fail her classes this year worrying about any of the messes she had found herself in so far.
Hermione finished off her toast and concluded with a hearty sigh as she saw Professors Dumbledore and Mrs McGonagall deep in conversation. Both seemed the exact same as the previous year though there was a characteristic slightly out of place. Stress seemed to bode in the atmosphere between all the professors.
“So who is the lucky lady Fred?” Hermione asked.
Fred pointed to a Ravenclaw girl with bobbed brown hair and dark skin. Her nose and cheek bones were quite tall and her eyes were a milky brown. She was quite gorgeous in an effortless way.
“You are definitely punching, I have to admit.” George joined in, waving to the girl as they continued to chat.
“What classes do you start with today, Miss Goody-good?”
“I have defended against the dark arts then transfiguration.”
“Good luck with those two classes, demon teachers run ‘em.” George ebbed, his eyes lightening as he spotted his younger sister trailing the hall lifelessly.
“GINNY WEASLEY.” The two chorused loudly, imitating Molly’s voice.
The trio hid their smiles as Ginny shielded her face in embarrassment, running straight to the seat next to Hermione. “Are you all asking to be killed? I promise I can do that if you want.” Ginny hissed angrily.
Hermione patted her on the back deftly. “Were you at quidditch practice this morning?”
“I was. When I tell you that there is going to be some real competition this year I mean it. Almost scared myself shitless when I saw how many Gryffindor were out there.”
The twins shrugged their shoulders helplessly, “you will be perfectly fine. Just think, we could create an unbreakable team of just our siblings if Ron ever shows up again.”
Ginny scoffed in disgust, using Hermione’s shoulder as a pillow. “God forbid having all of us together at one time and predicting anything but chaos:
“Eat up Ginny, there isn't long until classes start.”
Breakfast was over without much fuss, the Weasley's and her broke apart as she dashed towards the owlery to hand off her letter. She had penned another each for both Ron and Harry, beckoning them to get their arses over to Hogwarts before she imploded.
“Lassie, there ain’t any owls here which ar’ free. Come back tomorra’,” Said a stoutly man, his face was buried in a book and fingers were trailing the paragraph he was reading.
“Oh, I have my own owl here. Not to worry.” She smiled kindly, wishing she could be the one engrossed so heavily in a book. He must be either a mail- watchman or a caretaker for the owls.
Hermione found her victim. A particularly large owl, with amber eyes, bore into nothing. It actually looked quite silly sitting here in the owlery. His feathers were soft, even hsi little eyebrow feathers were charming. “What is such a placid owl like you doing with a familiar like that?”
Fussing around to find some treats she had collected during breakfast, she offered it as a trade as she tied the letters to one of his legs.
“Off you go now. If you come back in three days, I'll find you a much shinier thing to keep.”
The owl hooted, bunching together his feathers as he flew from his perch. But not before he left a present of his own onto her robes. “Beast.” she muttered and quickly cast a charm so it would clean off.
Like owner, like pet.
—--------
DADA turned out to be a much larger class then she had anticipated. The NEWT levels had brought together all the four hours for each subject which riled her anxiousness even further.
Neville and a few Hufflepuffs were in a corner speaking to each other enthusiastically. Padma was trailing beyond two Ravenclaw boys and she supposed if Harry and Ron were here that would make enough Gryffindor to not be the odd one out. Her eyes trailed reluctantly towards the Slytherins that were ascending the stairs.
Trust her luck to have all four of them in her first class on a Tuesday.
Draco beelined straight for the door, the silver trio followed him wordlessly like puppets being pulled on a string. How pathetic.
She waved herself over to Neville and his friends, who introduced themselves as Silzy, Bea and Conrad. They seemed perfectly normal, no agenda against every human who breathed. No selfishness that followed them like a foul stench.
“I hear that we have a new teacher again this year!” Silzy mused, her fingers dancing through her curls as she plopped onto a chair.
The group filled out along the row and as Hermione unpacked her satchel, she couldn't believe her eyes.
“I thought we had agreed to not see each other again until then.” Draco hissed, his silver eyes widening in disgrace.
“Me? If I was paying attention I wouldn't sit near you even if an avada was waiting for me at the other end.” Hermione snapped, dropping her pen onto her notebook as emphasis.
“You should leave Hogwarts and save us all the pain.” He sneered, mouth taunting into a sideway smile.
Words simply could not express how frustrated she was. Every second word that spewed from his mouth seemed to be some crap about her blood status, somehow always relating to her inferiority.
She went to cork him square in the jaw. For all she cared, if it shattered it meant his horrible voice wouldn’t have to be heard again.
“You are so quick to anger.” Draco scoffed, his own hand had enveloped her fist easily.
Her assault had become assaulted.
“You are inhumanely insufferable”
Draco let go of her hand and went to possibly drop it but his eyes turned dark and bright, he brought her hand to his mouth and pressed his lips against her ring. She could feel her own heartbeat race in delight, the touch of his lips against her skin felt magical. His eyes trailed back to her face and gods, she let out a small sound. Heat pooled in ehr body in every inch, she felt extremely flustered and needy.
She heard her lips mutter a Disillusionment charm and staggered towards Draco. He reached for her with such sincerity in his face it made her tear up. He was beautiful in a haunting way. His hair remained ungelled and soft beneath her fingers. His head rolled back as she settled herself onto his lap. His own hands were racing along her body, touching every inch of her silhouette. “Ma colombe.” He whispered into her ear, this time he followed through. His lips were soft on her skin, his tongue danced along her skin pulling more sounds from her mouth which she buried into his neck.
Hermione grew restless, all of his movements felt like fire along her skin. Her body was so attentive to even the smallest detail. She moved up so she braced herself, his own moan was swiftly swallowed by her as she crashed together with him. She pressed her lips against the corners of his mouth, teasing him lightly. Desire burned through his gaze so intently she stopped herself for a moment to admire the boy before her.
He nipped her lip playfully, before pressing a kiss against her forehead and simply held onto her as if she were going to melt away.
Hermione giggled softly, drawing her hips against a few times which he quickly stopped with his fingers slipping into her, skimming her entrance.
Hermione fell forwards with an unfamiliar feeling scorched her. As if she were on autopilot she drew open his dress pants and stroked his member. It was so hard. She eyed the length warily as she tried to imagine it inside of her. Positioning herself on top, she met his hips and cried softly as it filled her quickly.
“It hurts.” She cried into his chest, faltering her movement which caused her another hiss of pain.
“You take me so well, Hermione.” Draco murmured, one hand rubbing her back and the other came between them.
His fingers dragged around her entrance, enticing another groan from her. She could feel the cold metal of his ring against her skin. In drunken delight she started moving again, slowly.
Draco pressed his hands against her hips, helping her movements remain steady. “You are doing so well my love. Your face looks so delicious when you look like this.” He praised and deftly wrapped two of his fingers into her, swirling around his cock as they continued to move.
“Draco, stop-stop.” Hermione shouted, her body writhing as she convulsed. She could feel a warmness emit from her body, Draco flashed her a brilliant smile as he too finished, another rush went through her body as she tried to slide off of him which only seemed to elicit another groan. His cock instantly became hard again inside of her. Hermione almost sobbed. She didn't know if she could do it again so soon. Her clit was throbbing and swollen as she trailed her own fingers over herself.
“You are so perfect Hermione Granger.” Draco cherished as they kissed, slow and soulful.
“I’ll get better, I promise. It just-I never-” Hermione exclaimed, slightly embarrassed by how quickly things had ended on her part.
“Have you not heard the words that I’ve been saying?” Draco mused, fixing their appearances with his wand. She could no longer feel the sticky residue between her legs but an unfamiliar warmth stayed.
“Did you remember to say the contraceptive spell?” Hermione gasped and Draco stopped her hand before she could fuss.
“Of course I did, somehow. You were quite the temptress. I also had to add a silencing charm. I couldn’t have anyone hearing you make those sounds could I?” Draco purred and wrapped his fingers through her hair, braiding it with ease as he coaxed the frizzy curls with ease.
“You are mine.” Hermione pressed, enjoying the way his fingers felt in her hair. It made her feel sleepy.
“Always. And you are all mine, dove.”
–
Hermione screamed as she seemed to regain consciousness. She reached for her hair, noticing that it was no longer braided. She was back in her own seat. Her pen had not moved from where she had dropped it earlier and everyone around her seemed to be just as shocked as she was.
“That is the power of Resppicta. It is a powerful blend of ingredients that are misted into the air. It has no smell nor shade once it is released into the air. It distracts the target, opening their mind to the enablist while the target is placed in their deepest desire. It creates an illusionary realm and the target loses access to their current body, mind and will.”
Dolores Umbridge had strutted to the centre of the classroom. She was short and plump. Her cheeks puffed up in self-pride. Her head was adorned in a pink beret and her robes were heavily embellished with pink and jewels.
Hermione sobbed silently into her arms in humiliation. She had completely lost use of her body, her mind and self to whatever that illusion. She felt slightly ripped of her humanity, she was still processing the ghost of emotions that she had been through. And with who it had been with.
It was wrong. It definitely had been.
Draco reached for her hand, he was milky white. His eyes were no longer dark but a light silver. Any trace of his beautiful smile or vulnerability had been washed away. Instead he looked terrified.
Hermione glanced at their hands, both clutched one another so tightly their knuckles were turning white. Her palm faintly ached but she felt far too violated to register it. Her fear of what had happened once he came in contact with her ring were quelled as she registered him touching it now yet she was not riding him. In class. Like a deranged horse.
“Now as the caster, I have access to every single memory which just happened. If you wish to be a nuance in class, I will display these to the class.” Mrs Umbridge smiled sweetly, her footsteps getting closer.
“Now, I wonder what you saw that could make you sob so wildly. Would you perhaps like to share with the class Miss granger? The stronger the emotion after the illusion has fallen, the better it is to analyse with the class.”
Hermione felt another silent sob wracked her body, she refused, absolutely refused to believe what she had seen. The warmth of love that had thrummed through her had been so real. She had never felt more safe. But it was at the hands, literally, of her best friend's enemy. Someone who thoroughly despised her. Yet the engagement and law had been brought on by this troll of a woman. Her desire teased her of a reality possible far in the future that she almost ached for in its end.
Draco rose from his seat and pointed his wand at Mrs Umbridge, his face set in determination. “Cruicio,” he snarled yet aimed his wand towards the ceiling. The spell ricocheted from the timber and eventually died out with a white flash.
“Draco!” Theodore yelled, slapping his mate on the shoulder.
Neville offered Hermione some tissues, his face bright with tears as well.
It was at that moment Hermione decided she hated Mrs Umbridge with a passion like no other. How dare she cast a spell like that then threaten them all before even introducing herself. She could barely even register that Draco had cast an unforgivable, their hands so entwined so tightly it felt like an extension of her body.
“Mate what the fuck just happened?” Theodore pressed, his curls falling over his eyes as he shook life back into Draco.
“I don’t know.” Was all he said before he drew away his hand from hers quickly.
She cradled it in her lap, beckoning the blood to rush back. Head whirling she faintly decided she needed a diary to write in, asap.