Chapter 16
Chapter 16
Draco wakes up early one morning and decides to walk the halls before heading to breakfast. Ron sees him wandering down the hallway alone.
‘Oi Ferret. What are you doing in this part of the castle?’
‘None of your business. Weasel.’
Ron raises his wand but before he can murmur a spell, Draco casts petrificus totalus.
‘Now Weasel. Why would you want to raise your wand to me? You know you can never beat me.’
Draco raises his wand again and weaves a simple spell. Then he lifts the body bind. Ron jumps up intending to attack.
‘One.’
Ron stops his chest constricts causing Ron to gasp.
‘Two.’
Ron gasps for breath but nothing gets through. He is frozen in place.
‘Be cautious Weasel. You wouldn't want to test the highest number you can withstand, would you?. Have a pleasant day.’
As Draco steps around Ron’s frozen form, Ron lets out a scream and lunges again.
‘Three.’
Ron is writhing on the floor in agony for an entire minute. When he pushes himself up again he realizes he is alone. Looking around he wonders why he is sitting on the floor in the middle of the corridor.
Ron gets up and heads back to the common room in Gryffindor tower,
*.*
Draco meets up with Hermione later that day.
‘Remember when you said I could do what I wanted as long as I did not get caught?’
‘Yeeesss… why?’
‘I ran into Weasley this morning and well I can say it was a rather enjoyable encounter.’
‘I'm glad you enjoyed it, I suppose. Do I want to know?’
‘Probably not. Plausible deniability and all that.’
‘Alright then enjoy.’
‘Will do.’
*.*
Hemione and Ginny are alone in the common room.
‘Hey Hermione, do you mind if I join you in the library? I need some help with my potions essay.’
Sure a group of us get together most afternoons. You are welcome to join us anytime.’
Nervously, Ginny asks, ‘Who all is ‘us’?’
‘Why do you ask? You don't want to be around Slytherins? Are you that much like your brother?’
‘No nothing like that.’ Ginny whispers, suddenly nervous.
Hermione's voice softens. ‘I'm sorry Ronald has been making me so mad lately. What's up?’
‘I have a crush and I don't know how to act around him.’
‘Who is he?’
Ginny covers her face before answering. Hermione only hears a mumble. Hermione grabs Ginny's hands and pulls them away from her face.
‘Try that again?’
‘Your cousin.’ Ginny repeats softly.
‘Draco? Hmm interesting.’
‘Are you mad?’
‘Not at all. I want you both to be happy. Whether that is together or not is up to you and him.’
‘Is he seeing anyone?’
‘Not that I know of. I mean I haven't actually asked.’
‘What about Parkinson? Didn't she always, used to hang all over him?’
‘I thought so but I haven't seen that happen this year, I think they are just friends. Do you want me to ask?’
‘No. I will just join you for studying and see if he shows any interest.’
‘That sounds nice.’
*.*
The next day after classes Hermione and Ginny are sitting across from each other in the library.
Theo and Draco walk in and join them, Draco sits next to Hermione and Theo sits next to Ginny.
Ginny greets them both then focuses back on her textbook. Hermione and Theo begin discussing Ancient Runes. Draco looks at Ginny and notices how quiet she is.
‘Need any help with that, Red?’
Ginny looks up nervously. ‘Sure.’ she whispers.
Draco and Theo switch places to begin working with the girls.
As Draco slides into the chair his arm collides with Ginny's, he notices her face flush slightly. Leaning closer he asks, ‘are you ok? I can sit somewhere else if you want.’
‘No you are fine, don’t mind me.’
Choosing to follow her lead he responds, ‘Alright if you insist. What are you working on?’
‘I’m supposed to write 12 inches on the restorative properties of mandrakes.’ Ginny whispers and Draco leans closer to hear her better.
‘You only have the textbook?’
‘Where else would I look?’ Ginny feels her temper rise slightly, Draco smirks.
‘Come with me, I can show you a few books with plenty of information on that topic.’ Draco rises from his chair and grabs Ginny's hand, pulling her away into the stacks.
Hermione grins into her hand when Ginny looks at her in surprise as she is pulled away.
‘What was that about?’
Hermione startles. Looking over at Theo, Hermione gasps. ‘Oh I'm so sorry, I was paying so much attention to them I forgot we were working together.’
‘Clearly. No harm done, tell me, what’s got you, so focused on them?’
‘Nothing, i'm just trying to figure something out. I think I will continue watching and see what happens.’
‘I suppose I will be joining you then. I do hope it is an entertaining show.’
‘We shall see.’
Moments later Draco returns with his arms loaded with books. A confused Ginny trails after him. Hermione catches Ginny's eye but Ginny just shakes her head and returns to her seat.
Draco places the books on the table. Each one he picks up and opens to a seemingly random page before marking it and placing it in a tidy stack near Ginny.
‘Depending on what you find useful in these I can possibly recommend more.’
‘Alright, thank you.’
Ginny looks through one and begins taking notes. When she needs to she voices a question and Draco looks up from the book he is reading to answer her. Not long passes when Ginny puts down her quill. ‘I think that's everything I need for that essay. I'm going to put the books back.’
‘Let me help you,’ Draco murmurs. They stand and gather the books before walking away.
As they walk he asks about her classes and listens as she tells about her day. Ginny talks tentatively at first but then gains confidence as she realizes he is listening.
When all the books are returned to their places he stops at the end of the row of books and leans against the shelves. ‘What's your favorite thing to do outside class?’
‘Fly. I love the feeling I get.’
‘How long have you been flying?’
‘For years. None of my brothers wanted to show me how so I snuck their brooms and taught myself. What about you?’
‘Flying ranks pretty high for me too. Maybe we can race around the pitch sometime.’
‘I would like that. Shouldn't we be getting back?’
‘I was thinking we could ditch them and go for a walk but if you insist.’ Draco pushes off from the shelves and turns toward their friends.
‘No.’ Ginny reaches out and grabs his hand, he looks over his shoulder at her. ‘I mean that sounds nice.’
Draco smiles as they walk toward the exit. Her hand still gripping his, not that he minds. Neither noticed Blaise at the end of the hall when they walked out of the library.
*.*
Blaise is heading to the library after the end of classes when he stumbles upon Weasley snogging his girlfriend in a shallow alcove.
‘Disgusting can't you find a more secluded place? Somewhere that no one else will stumble across? I think I might lose my dinner.’
Ron pulls away from the kiss with a wet smacking sound.
‘You are just jealous.’
‘You have got to be kidding me. Jealous? Don't make me laugh. Brown can be fun. I would know. I'm not interested in her anymore, so enjoy, I guess, but at least do it where no one can see it.’
‘You can't tell me what to do.’
Lavender checked that her clothes were in order and then walked away with a huff. Blaise locks eyes with Ron.
‘Oh? Can't I?’ He raises his wand and casts a powerful suggestion charm.
‘Bow.’ Ron’s features freeze as he tries to refuse the order. He struggles the entire time his body moves into the bow.
‘That's enough. Stand up straight, and hold your tongue.’ Ron’s mouth snaps shut and he moves to stand.
‘Good Weasel. I see you are learning. Find a better place to meet with your dates. I never want to see it again.’ Blaise walks away. Ron blinks.
Where did lavender go? He sets off to look for her.
*.*
Blaise enters the library and looks around for his friends. He frowns when he sees Theo and Hermione sitting at a table bent over the same book. He walks over and drops into the seat next to Hermione.
She jumps at the sudden noise.
‘Oh, Blaise hello. How were your classes?’
‘They were alright. Am I interrupting your studying?’
‘Not at all.’ Theo chuckles. ‘We are nearly done and I’m headed out for a walk.’
‘Actually, you go ahead. I wanted to start my transfiguration.’
‘Mind if we work together? I'm not sure I'm explaining this properly.’
‘Let me take a look?’
‘I will leave you to it,’ Theo says as he packs up his stuff and heads out of the library.
Blaise and Hermione work on their essays for the better part of an hour. They finish within minutes of each other. Hermione looks over at him startled to see him staring at her with a smile.
‘Why are you looking at me like that?’ she asks. He blinks and looks down for a moment.
‘Like what?’ when he looks back up she sees his lips curving into a smile.
‘I don't know, just stop it.’ she doesnt feel uncomfortable, this is just unexpected.
‘Why would I stop it?’ He leans closer and lowers his voice. ‘I just noticed that you look very pretty today.’
Hermione blinks trying to process this, her mind scrambles but all she can respond with is, ‘Thank you.’
‘Are you seeing anyone?’ Blaise leans closer and whispers, not sure what answer he is hoping she will say,
‘I am. I'm not sure how serious it is but we are seeing one another.’
Sadness flits across his face before he returns to smiling. ‘What do you mean?’
‘We are owling, mostly. Why do you ask?’
‘Just curious, I suppose.’ and thats all he intends it to be, right? He cant possibly be thinking of anything else.
‘Alright. Are you seeing anyone?’ her questions catches him off guard. Why would she want to know?
‘No. I've been with girls before but I've never dated anyone.’ He says. His voice barely above a whisper.
Sadness crosses her face, she leans closer and he can smell apples, why does she smell like a mouthwatering apple? ‘Are you looking to date someone?’
‘Possibly? It depends on if it seems right.’ he comments off hand not really thinking about it. No one has ever seemed right so it wasn't a lie.
‘That sounds nice. I hope you can find that.’ she smiles before glancing back at her essay. Blaise is stunned, no one had ever said that too him.
‘Me too.’ he whispers suddenly hopeful.
They clean up and walk out of the library before parting ways, heading to their dorms for the evening. Hermione dimly realizes that Draco and Ginny never returned.
*.*
Theo is relaxing near the Black Lake leaning against a tree reading a novel. The hairs on the back of his neck stand up and he looks around. Ronald Weasley is standing there with his wand pointed at Theo.
‘What's going on, Weasel?’
‘I'm tired of all you Slytherins being everywhere. Why can't you just disappear?’
‘I doubt that will help anything. Wouldn't it just be easier if you disappeared? Then you wouldn't see any of us.’
‘Whatever. If I can't make you all disappear, I will just make you leave.’
‘That will never happen.’
Ron’s hand trembles in anger, he can’t hold it steady. He tries to stun Theo but misses. He tries again but also misses.
‘Do you ever practice? This is pitiful. I haven't even raised my wand and you still can't hit me. I know.’ Theo draws his wand and silences Ron. He casts a charm that causes Ron to spend more time studying and less attempting to fling around spells.
‘With enough studying perhaps you will gain knowledge.’ Theo casts a simple compulsion to get Ron to leave him alone. Ron does not remember what happened when he walked out to the lake that evening.
*.*
In the Slytherin common room that night Draco is relaxing with Blaise when Theo joins them by the fire. ‘Where did you and Red disappear to, earlier?’
‘Just went for a walk. We were having a friendly chat and didn't want Pince to decide we were too loud. Didn’t I see you out by the lake around dusk?’
‘Probably, I was harassed by Weasel. He mentioned something about us Slytherins being everywhere.’
‘Possibly because we had a disagreement yesterday morning. He wasn't very happy to see me wandering the castle.’
‘Or me, when I encountered him down the hall from the library. He needs to find a more secluded snogging spot. I may have mentioned that to him.’
‘Does he ever stop? You would think he had better things to do with his time.’
‘I mean, I got him to stop.’
‘Me too.’ They recounted their individual experiences.
‘I can't believe we all left a recurring spell on him.’
‘I don't plan to do much else unless he keeps insulting Hermione.’
‘Depending on how he behaves, I agree I'm not planning on anything else.’
*.*
Minerva meets Remus at the Three Broomsticks in a private room for tea.
‘Helo Remus.’
‘Hello, Minerva. How is the term going so far?’
‘Same as usual. Some students are excelling while others are not trying as hard.’
‘Sounds normal. Is there anything you need?’
‘I have a question actually. Ms. Granger is communicating with Sirius about her family?’
‘Yes, that much is obvious after he showed everyone her letter.’
‘Is she alright? This is a lot to handle.’
‘Actually I'm not sure that was the last we have heard from her. I wonder why she hasn't sent anything else. I will talk to Sirius.’
‘I can't imagine what Albus was thinking. This is crossing a line.’
‘It is. How anyone can justify kidnapping is beyond me.’
‘Do you think she reached out to her family?’
‘I can't say for sure but it did sound as if she wanted to.’
‘She seems a little distracted this year. Her marks are still the best in the class but she is no longer completing the assignments with as much vigor as she used to. Rather than 3 feet on any topic she is now only turning in the requested length.’
‘Really? Maybe she is learning to be succinct?’
‘Her new study partners may be helping temper her enthusiasm for too much information.’
‘Who is she studying with now?’
‘A large group that includes various houses. It is rather nice to see so many working together in the library so often.’
‘Really? Try not to discourage that.’
‘I hope the younger years realize how beneficial it is to have so many perspectives when completing assignments.’
When they finished their tea they went their separate ways. Both think about the actions of others with a slightly different perspective.
*.*