Cufflinks

It was bad.

Twenty minutes into their so-called 'date,' Hermione wanted to kick Malfoy. And maybe kick herself as well for signing up for this stupid thing in the first place.

She fought the urge to aim a blow to his blonde head as he piled yet another stack of extra-large quills into her arms, citing the fact that he needed free hands to shop as the reason why he couldn't hold them himself. What he needed fifty XL peacock quills for eluded Hermione—she half-believed it was just to spite her. It took all of her willpower not to drop them and hex him right then and there.

Unfortunately, she couldn't even do that—since it was a Saturday, Scrivenshaft's was crowded with hordes of both Hogwarts students and regular wizarding folk. With the war only recently over, the appearance of Malfoy and Hermione into the shop together had immediately caused a flurry of excited whispers and hopeful looks. Look, Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy, gallivanting around Hogsmeade together as one! She supposed their joint appearance signified some sort of unity that the public, desperate for normalcy and peace, craved in the aftermath of war—war heroine and reformed Death Eater, coming together to symbolize the union and forgiveness of both sides.

After the war, while some Death Eater-connected families suffered severe punishments and had been whisked away to Azkaban, the Malfoys had managed to greatly lift themselves out of the rubble. News of Narcissa Malfoy's lie against Voldemort during the Final Battle—touted as the brave and "Gryffindor-worthy" action that had allowed Harry to re-enter Hogwarts in the first place and ultimately defeat Voldemort—had penetrated the news outlets with lightning speed, and the public had devoured the story with vigor, even more so when Harry Potter himself turned up to testify for Narcissa and Draco at their Ministry trials, citing the need to forgive and move on after such difficult times. That had caused headlines and kickstarted the Malfoy family redemption, and although Lucius Malfoy had been sentenced to serve a year in Azkaban for his Death Eater activities, Narcissa and Draco had gotten off with only minor punishments of public service, with the former's actions during the Final Battle justifying this decision and the latter's young age painting him as a "result of unfortunate influences and circumstances."

Now, eight months after the war, the Malfoys were seen as redeemed wizarding citizens who'd turned over a new leaf and shed their prejudiced, pureblood supremacy beliefs. Not everyone accepted this new image of the family that had once been so well-connected to Voldemort, but with time and effort (mostly Lucius Malfoy's Galleons, which had gone towards many rebuilding efforts after the war), majority of the wizarding community had come to accept this perspective of the Malfoys, and they'd emerged back into society almost good as new.

In fact, after Professor McGonagall had announced the establishment of an optional eighth year for the seventh-years who hadn't been able to finish their education due to the war, Draco Malfoy had been one of the first to sign up, with a released statement by the Malfoy family publicist in the news stating that "Draco values education greatly and would be honored to return to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for his eighth year." By the time the first week of the new school year had been over, he'd already been strutting around Hogwarts like his old self, as if no war or Voldemort had ever happened.

Not that any of that meant anything to Hermione. Despite sharing classes and meals with Malfoy, she'd succeeded in steering clear of him—other than the occasional cordial nod, more so for appearances than anything else—this year. Despite occasional thoughts, she hadn't dwelled on whether or not the Malfoys' easy reemergence into wizarding society was fair or not—after nearly three years of fighting in a war, all she was determined to do was finish her education, sit for her N.E.W.T.s, go on to establish a successful career, and live a normal life. She had neither the time or energy to dwell on past rivalries; she was determined to hold no grudges and move on with her life. All that mattered was that the war was over and the wizarding world was healing, and she was plenty grateful for that already.

However, Hermione was seriously questioning that philosophy as she was assaulted with another pile of quills by Malfoy, the stack in her arms now nearly reaching her chin.

"Granger, hold these."

"Malfoy," Hermione hissed, pasting what she hoped looked like a smile on her face (but most likely more resembled a grimace) as a little girl passed by and waved at her excitedly. "What in Godric's name are you going to do with all these bloody quills?"

Malfoy stared at her like she was stupid. "Write with them, of course." He smirked, continuing his browsing. "Don't tell me the Hermione Granger doesn't want to hold a few quills for me in public?"

Violence was never the answer, but Hermione was seriously debating taking a quill and stabbing Malfoy somewhere with it. She growled under her breath, cursing Lavender for pairing her with Malfoy out of all people. What made her think she and Malfoy would be a good match? Hermione didn't know what Malfoy answered in his pre-blind date survey, but she was certain his answers definitely were not compatible with hers—absolutely not. Maybe Lavender got a few surveys mixed up and paired her with Malfoy by accident.

The thought was reassuring, and Hermione calmed down enough to remind herself that this was only a one-time thing. Once these two hours (only one hour left now at this point) were over, she'd never have to voluntarily interact with Malfoy again.

Nevertheless, when they finally left Scrivenshaft's with their quills and parchment bought, Hermione attempted her escape.

She feigned falling back to lace up her boots, urging Malfoy to go ahead as she bent down. No more than fifteen seconds later, she yelped in surprise when she felt an invisible barrier, hard like glass, push into her back and nearly cause her to topple over.

"Don't tire yourself out, Granger!" called Malfoy cheerfully over his shoulders from ten feet away, and Hermione flushed, standing and quickly catching up to him.

"I was simply experimenting," she said primly, forcing her bag of purchased parchment and quills into Malfoy's arms. She couldn't help but grin at his disgruntled expression when he couldn't do anything but hold it, well aware of the passersby glancing at the two of them with interest. See how that feels. "I was curious about how exactly my badge would prevent me from ditching you."

"It was dunked in Gallagher's Solution together with my badge for two hours," said Malfoy. He looked at her smugly. "I'm surprised that the Brightest Witch of Our Age didn't know that."

Hermione opened her mouth to retort, but then she blinked, processing Malfoy's words as surprise slowly overtook her.

Of course it was covered in Gallagher's Solution! How could she have forgotten its binding and pairing properties on metal?

She observed Malfoy discreetly, a sense of curiosity replacing her frustration with him. He always did do quite well in Potions. . . . In fact, she realized with a start, he had always been one place behind her in class rankings. Although, unlike her, he rarely raised his hand or participated in class, she also couldn't recall him ever making a mistake in brewing during class labs. She objectively supposed that he was the quiet kind of brilliant—at least in Potions, that was.

Then, a sudden idea struck at her—a crazy idea, but an idea nonetheless.

In Potions class earlier today, a class she conveniently shared with the Slytherins, Professor Slughorn had briefed them on a new partner project he was assigning on Monday. It was for a major grade—each pair of partners was to be assigned a specific potion of N.E.W.T.-level difficulty that they were expected to brew together within a month and present to Slughorn to grade.

Now that Harry and Ron were no longer in school, both having opted out of the eighth year choice and instead decided to pursue Auror academy and running Weasley's Wizard Wheezes respectively, Hermione had been partnering up with Seamus in Potions (Dean had also chosen to forego the eighth year track and was now working at Gringotts).

Now, Seamus was nice and easy to talk to, but he also had an unfortunate habit of blowing things up in the class—he already had a track record of nine blown-up concoctions this school year alone. Although Hermione liked Seamus as a friend, she didn't quite fancy getting stuck with him for a major-grade project that lasted a month, the threat of their potion's explosion by his hand constantly dangling over her head.

She paused in the snow. "Hey, Malfoy."

"Yes, Granger?" Malfoy turned around, a gleam in his eyes appearing when he saw her staring at him intently. "What's this? Have you finally realized how handsome I am? Have you stopped to tell me that my eyes are so beautiful and that you've desired me all along?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I'd rather kiss Neville's toad."

"Ouch." Malfoy placed a hand dramatically over his chest. "Granger, you wound me."

Hermione ignored him. "You know Slughorn's project? The one he's assigning next week? What if—"

"No."

"—we—" Hermione stopped. "What?"

"Granger, I am not partnering with you for that stupid project."

"Wha—why not?" asked Hermione incredulously, staring at him as if he'd just grown two extra heads. "We're the two best in the class! We'll be guaranteed an Outstanding if we're partners!"

Malfoy scoffed, brushing some snow off his shoulder. "Granger, I know you. I'd rather receive a Troll than have to deal with the constant nagging and bossy lectures that I know I'd get put through if I partnered up with you."

Hermione's mouth fell open in indignation. "I'll have you know that I've never once received a complaint regarding anything like that from anyone I've partnered with in Potions!"

"That's because they're too busy mooching off of you for good grades!"

Hermione fumed. "In fact," she continued, marching forward and purposely blocking Malfoy's path, "I'm a very agreeable and easy-to-work-with partner! In fifth year, when Lavender fainted from the fumes of our Armadillo Bile Mixture, who persisted on with the potion while she was in the Hospital Wing?"

Malfoy rolled his eyes. "Okay, Granger—"

"In sixth year, when Ron accidentally dropped lacewing flies into our Draught of Living Death, who improvised quickly and stirred the potion counterclockwise while pouring in powdered roots of Asphodel?"

"Granger—"

"Last week, when Seamus and I ran out of Billywig stings for our Alihotsy Draught, and Slughorn didn't have any more in his inventory, who snuck out to Hogsmeade and bought—"

She stopped suddenly, realizing too late what she'd just revealed.

Malfoy's eyes narrowed as he looked at her suspiciously. "Snuck out to Hogsmeade?"

"Just a quick detour," Hermione said in what she hoped was a casual tone, waving her hand and continuing quickly. "In fourth year, who inspected the Bulbadox juice—"

"How did you sneak out?"

"It's just a passageway," said Hermione quickly, immediately regretting it when Malfoy's eyes became thin slivers of gray. "Anyway, my point is that we should—"

Now Malfoy was the one who stepped in front of her, effectively blocking her from walking, and Hermione was struck with just how much taller he was than her. "What passageway, Granger?"

"Just a passageway," said Hermione loudly, pointing at Magical Menagerie, which had just come into view. "Oh, perfect—I need to buy some treats for Crookshanks—let me just go over—Malfoy!"

She shrieked in surprise when Malfoy suddenly pulled her by the sleeve into a nearby alleyway between Dervish and Banges and Zonko's before expertly flicking his wand, causing a large cardboard box to fly out from behind them and hide the both of them from view.

"Malfoy—what in the world—"

"What secret passageway?"

"None of your business—"

"Tell me."

Hermione glared up at him. "Why are you so interested anyway?"

Malfoy stared at her like she was a slow, dumb cow. "Are you kidding me? If I had a way to escape my classes in that goddamn castle whenever I wanted to, I would in a heartbeat."

"Hm," grunted Hermione disapprovingly. Of course Malfoy would be the type to skive off classes to twirl around Hogsmeade and sip on butterbeers.

"Show me this secret passageway," he demanded.

Despite their current situation, Hermione couldn't help but roll her eyes at his lack of manners. "For god's sake, Malfoy, let it go." She batted his hand away from her sleeve. "And let me out before I run into the street and yell about how you just tried to touch me inappropriately."

Malfoy immediately recoiled, backing onto the opposite wall of the alley as he eyed her with distaste. "Let's not start making threats now, Granger."

"Oh yeah?" Hermione positioned herself so that it looked like she was about to knock over the cardboard box and charge into the crowded street. The look of alarm on Malfoy's face was comical, and he quickly raised both his hands in the air.

"C'mon, Granger—you can't just drop something like that and not expect me to prod."

"This isn't prodding, this is kidnapping."

Malfoy huffed. "Semantics." He leaned forward slightly. "How did you sneak out of the castle and into Hogsmeade? That's supposed to be impossible."

"A pair of Vanishing Cabinets," joked Hermione, and then she immediately regretted it when Malfoy's face darkened.

"Sorry, that was in bad taste," she said quickly, feeling a prick of guilt at the shadow that had fallen over Malfoy's now-blank expression. She cleared her throat. "Um, it's just a secret passageway I found out about a few years ago that leads from the school into a shop here."

"What shop?"

"I-I'm not saying." Curse her guilt complex—now she felt a slight obligation to tell Malfoy something after her poor joke.

"C'mon, Granger, just the shop name. It's not very noble to withhold information from a curious fellow classmate."

"Well, it's not very noble to try and peer pressure a fellow classmate."

Malfoy glowered at Hermione, back to his normal self. He crossed his arms, huffing. "How about this? You show me this secret passageway, and I agree to partner with you for Slughorn's project."

Hermione narrowed her eyes. "You're being serious?"

"I am."

She considered it. On one hand, if she took up Malfoy's offer, she'd be doing the Marauders a great disservice by revealing one of their long held secrets to an arrogant blonde ferret with a superiority complex. On the other hand, if she refused, she'd condemn herself to a major-grade project with the very real and dangerous threat of Seamus.

There was only one right choice.

"Deal," said Hermione, reaching out and grabbing Malfoy's hand to give it a good shake. He looked down at their hands in disdain and let go quickly before shooting her a quick smirk and sweeping his arm forward. "Brilliant. Lead the way then, Granger."

Hermione stayed still. "What's the magic word?" she asked sweetly.

"Oh, for fuck's sake—" He glared at her venomously before grumbling, "Please."

"Wonderful," said Hermione brightly, pushing the cardboard box to the side before emerging out of the alleyway and back onto the snowing street of Hogsmeade. Malfoy followed behind her, muttering under his breath.

"I never knew I'd see the day where Draco Malfoy begs me for the location of a measly passageway," said Hermione conversationally as they began to trudge back up the street.

"I did not beg."

"Music to my ears," she continued, as if Malfoy hadn't spoken, and she heard a small snarl from behind her.

When they reached the entrance of Honeydukes again, Malfoy shot her a look of incredulity.

"The secret passageway leads to Honeydukes?" At Hermione's nod, he furrowed his eyebrows. "How come I've never seen it? I've been in there an innumerable amount of times since I was a boy, and I never saw any hint of a passageway."

"It's called a secret passageway for a reason," said Hermione pedantically, clicking her tongue and earning herself a look of annoyance from Malfoy. Together, they pushed the Honeydukes door open and squeezed through the mob of shoppers inside.

For once, Hermione was grateful for the huge crowd of people inside the shop—the chaos and large number of shoppers allowed her and Malfoy to slip past all the jars of candy undetected and sneak into the back storage room without a hitch.

She ushered Malfoy up the wooden staircase in the back of the storage room, taking up the rear to make sure nobody walked in on them. They quickly climbed up the stairs—Malfoy grunted in annoyance when Hermione whispered at him to hurry up—and found themselves in the dark and dingy cellar of Honeydukes. The chatter and noise of the shop below had greatly diminished.

"Of course it leads to the cellar," said Malfoy, shaking the bottom of his coat in disdain; a sheet of dust from the cellar ground flew off in wisps.

Hermione pointed at a small, wooden door in the corner of the cellar, smiling widely, though that was more so due to Malfoy's repeated attempts to shake dust off his clothing, which he was failing at spectacularly—the more he moved, the more dust from the cellar ground flew up and stuck to his coat. He eventually gave up, muttering profanities under his breath as he followed Hermione over to the door.

Hermione placed her hand on the door handle. With a mighty tug, the door flew open, creaking, and a storm of dust puffed out, landing all over Malfoy and causing a flurry of curse words to flow out of his mouth.

"In you go," said Hermione cheerfully, reveling in the look of disgust on Malfoy's face. Together, they both leaned in to look down the dark, gloomy passageway behind the door.

Malfoy made a face of revulsion. "You want me to go down there?"

Hermione shrugged. "You asked for it. Just let me know if you're too scared," she said casually, "and we can just go back."

She grinned internally when an extremely offended expression slid onto Malfoy's face, as if just her suggestion that he was scared insulted his very honor. He glared at her—then, without another word, he bent forward and entered the passageway, vanishing from sight within a few seconds.

Hermione stood still for a moment as she watched Malfoy's back disappear into the dark. With a deep breath, she murmured a small apology to the Marauders before she lifted her boots and stepped into the darkness after him.