The Room of Requirement
"Hermione?" Ron asked hesitantly. They were having dinner in the Great Hall. "How will you manage DADA?"
She tilted her head to the side. "What do you mean?"
"Malfoy. He'll lower your grades, I'm tellin' you." He definitely could sabotage her, but Snape would be fair, or so she hoped.
"I don't think he will," Harry joined them. "He's actually good in class. If the two of you can last an hour without a fight —you'll be fine."
She was hesitant to speak about this, but couldn't help herself. "I don't think we'll fight," the two glanced at each other. "I'm serious. We've had a few chats before, and he's, he wasn't too bad," she sealed her mouth shut.
"What??" They spoke in unison. Apparently Harry drew the line very clearly.
"Hermione..."
"I know Ron, of course, he's not nice. What I'm trying to say is he's not as bad."
After realising that she was basically defending him to her friends, she stopped talking. She knew he was not a good person, but she just wanted to point out that he wasn't the same boy that called her a mudblood in second year. She noticed how he only continued to do that when he was with his friends, plus, he called her a muggleborn while they were watching the Quidditch practices. He could be playing, but something was telling her to give him the benefit of the doubt.
"You should be careful, Hermione. I still think that he is—"
"Harry!" She warned him quietly. "Do not say such things in public."
"I wasn't going to, but you know what I mean." His eyes shifted to the space behind her shoulder and she didn't need to turn around to see where he was looking at.
"Okay," she sighed. "Apart from our prefect duties, I will be seeing him more often and personally observe him. I still think that's a groundless notion, but I will be careful, okay?"
Harry thought about it for a moment. "What if he hurts you during your duel?"
"What if I hurt him?" She arched her eyebrow.
"I don't have any doubt about your skills Hermione, but please be careful. He might know some spells that we don't."
She smirked playfully. "I also know some spells that most of our year doesn't, but I get your point, Harry. I'll be careful," she watched him relax. "How about Blaise?"
"Yeah, mate. I was the only one lucky, how will you two get along?" Ron asked.
"I don't know much about him, but we'll see." He was more anxious than he portrayed himself to be, but she believed they could get along.
"He's actually nice," Hermione spoke while playing with her beans.
"Seriously?" Ron's eyebrow darted up. "Why are you favouring those Slytherins today?"
"I'm not favouring anyone! I've had a chat with him once and he was quite respectful to me." Hermione simply replied.
Ron scoffed. "Once? You mean your visit to their table two years ago? You can't know someone's colours that easily,"
Hermione sighed. "Of course, not. That was a good first impression, that's all. If you give people a chance, you can find them to be not as bad as you thought they were."
"Ron's right, Hermione. You shouldn't trust them easily." Harry joined him. They were both looking at her, or just judging her now and she was obviously not on the same side as them.
No matter how often it would happen, she didn't like arguing with them. "Alright, Harry. Please tell me what you think of Blaise after your practice. You'll at least see that he's not like Malfoy," she held back a snort.
"Maybe.."
They've had their dinner and chatted about the Quidditch tryouts. Harry said that Ron had a big chance of getting the position, but McLaggen was also as good. Ron had to practice harder to avoid any mistakes at the tryouts. She suggested giving him a draught of peace, but he said he wanted to have full focus and rejected her offer. She wanted to say that it would only calm his nerves, not blur his focus, but she noticed the time on the big clock and got up.
"I should go now,"
Harry looked at her with concern. "Mione?"
"Don't worry, Harry, it's fine." She smiled at him and left the hall. If her heart pounding against her ribcage meant that she was fine then yeah, she was absolutely fine.
The Room of Requirement was on the seventh floor —the same as her own Tower— and she didn't want to hear his scoffing if she were to be late. Hermione used the right hand staircase from the Great Hall all to way to the seventh floor. Thankfully, the moving stairs continued to change when she needed them to. She wondered if they were sentient because sometimes it would feel like they were playing with the students. Hermione turned to the left corridor and found the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy trying to teach the trolls to do ballet. The room was right across tapestry and she needed to walk past in front of it three times. She didn't know if Malfoy was already in there and turned to her left to start thinking about the room.
"Finally," Malfoy spoke while sitting on a windowsill. He looked as pleasant as ever.
Hermione hadn't noticed him before and stopped. "Why didn't you get inside?" She asked.
Malfoy got up and dusted off his pants. "Don't we have to be thinking of the same thing to enter?"
"We do, I appreciate your patience," she turned to the wall. "Have you got in there before?"
He didn't look at her. "No."
"Alright, to get in, you need to think of a place you need." She turned to walk, but he grabbed her arm.
"Wait," he let go of her arm. "What will you think about exactly?"
She was baffled by his sudden reaction and stared at him. "A place where two people can practice, of course."
She walked past the wall three times as he waited for something to happen. Just as he was looking at her questioningly, the bricks on the wall started to shake, revealing a wooden door. Hermione grabbed the handle and opened the door. It was almost the same as the room they used last year. This time, she thought of having more cushions, and there was a pile of them. When they got in and the door closed, the room felt extremely quiet. The only sound was their footsteps as they walked towards the centre. There were big mirrors again and Malfoy was strolling around observing the room.
"Why so many mirrors?" He stopped.
"I don't know. It was the same last year, maybe the room thinks we need it?"
He scoffed. "Like you'll get to see your enemy on every bloody corner."
His tone made her think he had some experience that she didn't know about. Whether it was his family's education or a real-life duel, she wasn't sure but it definitely wasn't a Hogwarts training. "You speak like you've been in many duels before."
He moistened his lips while straightening his back. "My family does have the history of a Duelling Club if you didn't know. Not like the one Snape and Lockhart tried with us in our second year, of course."
Hermione nodded thoughtfully and found herself a huge spot in between the columns. "Alright, then."
"Enough chitchat?" Malfoy stood on the other side of the room, readying his wand.
Hermione froze. "What are you doing?"
"Getting into my position." He answered simply.
"Malfoy!" Hermione called out. "We will not just start duelling with each other, there's a training dummy for a reason."
He scowled incomprehensibly as he lowered his wand to the ground. "A training dummy? We're not children, Granger. Snape told us to duel, not play duelling."
He had a point but they still couldn’t duel without a supervisor.
"Duelling in Hogwarts without supervision is strictly prohibited." She spoke in the manner in which she would when explaining something. Some were calling it a know-it-all talk but she didn't care.
He chuckled at her reply. "Wow, Granger. I didn't know you were such a hypocrite. You were perfectly okay with breaking the rules last year. What's the sudden change?"
Hermione's eyes widened and she didn't like the tingling in her feet. This was not the time to panic. "That was different and you know it."
He scratched his chin as he took two steps. "I don't see the difference. Snape gave us permission to practice, so?"
"So?" She raised her voice. "He's not even in here! Someone needs to be here in case any of us gets injured,"
"Don't worry, Granger. I'll be gentle." He gave a mischievous grin. She hated it. She hated him and his stupid grin.
Hermionw held her wand tightly and stared at him, her chest rising and falling quickly. "Alright, let's do it your way."
Malfoy smiled victoriously and went back to his place. The two bowed to each other and held out their wands. They both were counting in their heads and at the count of three, they both sent their spells.
"Expalliarmus!"
"Stupefy!"
Hermione's disarming charm got to Malfoy faster than his spell and his wand flew up in the air, falling near Hermione's feet. She knelt down, picked the black wand up and turned it over in her hands, looking at Malfoy with narrowed eyes as his face went blank. She had never seen his wand up close before and she felt pleased knowing that she had his power in her hands. Noticing the uneasiness in his figure, she tossed it over. "Again." He said bitterly after he caught the wand. She didn’t brag about it, not yet.
Hermione took a few steps towards him, watching as he raised his wand once more. She raised her own and began counting to three. But before she even finished, she found herself right on her arse. "What the hell?!" She yelled.
Malfoy chuckled. "You count slow, not my fault."
Hermione inhaled sharply and got on her feet, tapping out the dust on her back. Without even giving a warning she shot a spell at him. "Locomotor Mortis!"
Malfoy's legs locked together and he fell to the ground, his wand rolling on the floor. "Ow!" His groan echoed in the room. He tried to get up but was unable to do so. She couldn't help but smirk as she thought about how much she liked kicking his arse.
Hermione turned to leave. "Where do you think you're going?!" He shouted.
"I don't play with cheaters," she walked to the door. "It'll lose its effect in 20 minutes or so. If you want, you can just hop out of here." She said and left the room as he kept yelling after her.
Hermione went straight to the common room and was unable to wipe the smirk off her face. After grabbing her water bottle, she sat on the couch and drank half of it. She shook her head as she chuckled knowing that he was still on the floor, waiting for the spell to end.
"What's going on?" Harry sat next to her. A warm cup of tea in his hands.
"Nothing. Just made Malfoy fall on his arse, that's all." She laughed again.
Harry smiled. "Sounds like you were having fun,"
Yeah, he's not easy to deal with but I've got everything under control."
Harry nodded calmly. "I'm sure you have, Hermione. I'm glad it went well." He rubbed his hands on his legs. "Well, I've had the time to talk to Blaise as well,"
"How was it?" She asked curiously, with a slight excitement underneath.
He shook his head, thinking. "I'm not sure. I mean, he's smart, he really knows a lot. He wasn't rude or anything, but he wasn't exactly warm, too."
"Of course not! You two just met, what could you expect?" She asked. "He's a bit quieter, I think. I don't know him much, so..."
"Yeah, I'll get to know him. Maybe he'll slip if his best friend has become a Death Eater or not."
"Harry!" She nudged him.
"I was joking!" He laughed. "Relax, I won't do anything."
She rolled her eyes and pushed him again, though she was smiling this time. Their practice session was cut short, but she was satisfied with the work she had done. She wouldn't duel with him if he wasn't going to follow the rules. She had already agreed that even though it was prohibited, counting to three shouldn't have been so hard.
The next day and the following days, she never heard from him. He wasn't even looking in her way like he usually would. She was starting to get pissed about this. They were going to duel in front of Snape the next week and they hadn't practised enough. This wasn't the time to be arrogant. She tried getting his attention every time he was near her, but he would treat her like she was a ghost walking around the school.
"It's actually better, 'Mione," Ron said tossing a jelly bean in the air and not catching it. He picked the bean and threw it in the fireplace. "It sucks that you didn't get to practice, but... at least you don't have to see him more often."
Hermione thought for a moment. "My success in class is more important than not seeing him."
"Of course," Ron tossed another one in the air and stuck his tongue out, catching it.
Harry watched Ron with a small smile and turned to look at Hermione. "I never thought I'd say this but, maybe you should talk to him,"
"You think so?" She asked.
"What?" The jelly hit Ron's nose as he stared at Harry. "Why would she want that?"
"Didn't you just hear her?" Harry sipped his coffee. "I've practised again today. With Blaise. If he can put aside the house differences aside, I'm sure he can, too."
She shook her head. "It's not about our houses," she glanced at the desk on her right. "But you're right. I have to do something." She went up to the desk and started looking for a piece of paper. As the other two watched her in curiosity, she wrote something on the paper and came back to sit with them.
"Malfoy,
I do not have much time for your childish behaviour. This is also your class as much as it is mine. If you're willing to practice fairly, I'll be in the room at 8 tomorrow.
HG."
The two nodded and she spoke to the air. "Winky?"
A small pop was heard before revealing the timid house-elf, who was standing with a small basket in her hands. "Yes, ma'am?"
The elf seemed appalled when Hermione knelt down to her eye level. "Can you pass this note to Mr. Draco Malfoy for me please?"
The elf's eyes widened as she stared at the paper in Hermione's hands. "Y—yes, of course. Winky will do as Ms. Granger says!"
"Thank you, Winky." She smiled at her. Winky looked down and grabbed the paper from Hermione's hands. "Does Ms. Granger need anything else?" She asked eagerly.
Just as Hermione was about to say no, Ron jumped in. "Bring us some pumpkin pasties, will you?"
Hermione snapped her head to the side to give him a disapproving look and turned back to smile at the elf. "Just do as I say and don't listen to him, okay?"
The elf smiled and left with another pop. Hermione stared behind her for a moment and decided to sit with the boys.
Could she have any response tonight or would he continue to ignore her? She was glad that she had made an effort to contact him, regardless of the outcome. It would be his responsibility if Snape scolded them, right?
"I'm so glad that I don't have to deal with things like this." Ron said.
"Me, too." Harry mumbled.
"Harry!" She raised her voice in disbelief.
"But it's true!" Harry chuckled without even attempting to hold it back. "At least Blaise is a mature person. We practice, talk a bit in between and leave. I'm satisfied."
She wasn't happy, but at least her friends' partners were not giving them any trouble. What did she have to do to be treated the same? "Maybe I should talk to him. He can talk to Malfoy?"
Harry looked at her with uncertainty. "I didn't say we were friends, Hermione. I also doubt he sees you like that. Why would he help you anyway?"
"I don't know what else to do!"
Another pop! "Ms. Granger?" The elf spoke softly.
"Winky!"
She walked towards them and stood right beside Hermione. "Winky went to Mr. Malfoy's dormitory, but he wasn't there."
Hermione blinked. "Wha— what do you mean he wasn't there?"
The elf shuffled her feet nervously and stared at the floor. "Winky doesn't know. Winky thinks Mr. Malfoy was in the common room like Ms. Granger and her friends and, and she didn't want to hive him any discomfort. So, Winky just left the note on his bed. Winky is sorry, Ms. Granger!" The elf threw herself at Hermione's feet.
Hermione grabbed her arms instantly. "Winky, no, no, stop! It's okay, you did as I asked. Thank you."
The elf got on her feet and froze, remembering something. She snapped her finger and a bowl of pumpkin pasties appeared in her hand. "This is the least Winky can do." She put the bowl on the table, sliding it slightly towards Ron.
Hermione pressed her lips together. "Thank you, Winky. You can go now." She smiled and when the elf left, she stared at Ron.
"What?" He asked taking a bite.
"They already work enough to give us food, and clean the school!"
"You just asked her to deliver a message. It’s the same!" He retorted.
"It's not! This is the only time to rest for them."
Ron smirked. "Don't worry Hermione. Harry and I have seen the kitchen before, remember? They always have pastries ready to be eaten. This isn't much labour to make for them at all." Harry nodded in agreement.
"I hope you're not calling her every so often?"
"Of course not." He took another bite and Harry's shoulders bounced up and down as he giggled. She knew deep down that he was lying, but she wasn't going to say anything more about the matter.
Hermione spent the evening sitting and chatting with the boys. The tryouts were tomorrow and Ron felt a bit more at ease as Harry encouraged him. She knew he was good, but he didn't believe in himself enough for that. He needed a win. He needed to be in the team. She didn't care if someone was in the team or not, but this was a big deal for the players. Her classes had the same importance to her and she genuinely hoped for an answer.
If Malfoy didn't care about her at all, he should've at least cared about his own grades. He wasn't a bad student, even though she didn't admit that out loud, he was a great student and a skilled wizard. His life was basically perfect. Well, having a Death Eater parent wasn't exactly the only fault he had, but he was still one of the luckiest. His family was rich and could afford to get him anything he needed or wanted. He knew how to fly before even he got to Hogwarts because his father could afford the latest broom and a tutor. He had a wide knowledge of spells and could easily use them, too. She had no idea how he had practiced; perhaps with his family or a different tutor. But he had those things. She didn't. Before the letter arrived, she was not even aware that she was a witch. She had to work hard in her studies to keep up with everyone else and even outperform them. She wanted to know every spell she could learn. She had missed a lot in her past and had no other options for catching up except to study and practice. And she wasn't going to let him ruin this for her.