Of Serpent Tongues and Lion Hearts

Of Serpent Tongues and Lion Hearts:

Chapter 3: "A Very Happy Birthday and Unfortunate Accidents":

It had been almost three weeks into their positions. It was September seventeen and Hermione loved every bit that came from her Head Girl position. Of course, when it came to Draco Malfoy she wouldn't go as far as to say that she loved that aspect of the position, but so far no major confrontations had occurred.

Draco kept to himself most of the time. He had a very tight schedule that he followed as if his life depended on it. But then again, he needed to be organized because he had not only the Head Boy position taking much of his time, but he also happened to be the Slytherin Quidditch captain and seeker, was also the vice president of the dueling club, because he didn't want the presidency this year, and was the second best in his class. Only beaten by Hermione Granger.

He was very civil most of the time and he even listened to her during their meetings, which happened to be every Wednesday. And today was Wednesday.

They had to discuss how were they going to plan the first trip to Hogsmeade, which was this Saturday, how would they do their rounds, Quidditch season, inter house interactions, and others. These positions would keep them as busy as possible, but they both enjoyed it.

Draco and Hermione had come to an unspoken agreement. They were civil with each other and avoided crossing each others path unless absolutely necessary. Of course this was because Draco wanted it that way. But Hermione would rather have a very private, but somewhat polite Draco, than a very outspoken annoying ferret. So the deal worked both ways.

During breakfast both Hermione and Draco were sitting in their respective tables. Every one seemed to be chatting excitedly about the first Hogsmeade trip.

" Hermione, we were thinking that we should take you out for lunch in Hogsmeade this Saturday," said Ron with a smile on his face.

"Thanks but you don't have to bother. Besides, I don't know how much time I'll be given to be with you. We are supposed to keep an eye on everything and everyone, but Professor McGonagall hasn't told us the plans yet. Malfoy and I have a meeting tonight, so I'll be bringing that up."

"You can tell Malfoy, and McGonagall for that matter, that we at least want two hours with you," said Ron matter-of-factly

"Yeah, damn it, it's your birthday... well a day after, but all the house teams have a meeting with Madam Hooch about Quidditch season that Friday and there's no way around it," added Harry.

"Plus we hardly get to see you all week , and it's fine with us because we know how much it means to you being the Head Girl and all, but honestly if it weren't for breakfast and lunch we would never know how you are doing," added Ginny with frustration plastered all over her voice.

Hermione smiled and thought of what great friends she had made during her time at Hogwarts.

"Let's not get too frustrated. I'll bring it up to Malfoy tonight and see if we can work out some sort of arrangement."

"Good, but if that bloody git says no, we are still taking you out to lunch. I don't care if I have to beat him up and tie him to a tree," added Ron casually.

"Ron, thanks for the offer. But one, I don't think that Malfoy would mind having two full hours free of me, and two, I don't want you to get into trouble because of him. It won't look good if Ronald Weasley, Gryffindor Prefect, beats the Head Boy for no apparent reason. Besides, it would deteriorate your working relationship with him more than it already is," said Hermione with her usual factual tone.

"Fine," said Ron.

"Herm, now that you mention it, has he insulted you at all, or done something to you?" asked Harry worriedly, while putting his pumpkin juice down.

"Nope, nothing at all. We barely talk."

"Oh, so now he's just way too good to talk to you," said Ron with much resentment in his voice."He needs to be reminded of who's the number one student in Hogwarts. Overall."

"I don't know and I honestly don't care. I like it better this way. He does his job and I do mine and we don't insult each other. Works for me," said Hermione shrugging.

"Maybe ferret boy got his tongue eaten by Crookshanks," said Ginny.

The four of them laughed and as they grabbed their things, they headed towards the first class of the day. Double potions with Slytherin.

* * * * * * *

Laughter echoed in the Great Hall, but only Draco looked up to search for the source of laughter. Inside him he knew who it was, but his conscious brain did not want to admit it. He was correct. There they went, laughing carelessly.

He stared at them leaving the Great Hall.

Must be nice to be that careless. Oh, fuck that, It's not like I need anyone. And with the promising future that awaits me... I can't have anyone, he thought dejectedly.

He barely turned his lips upwards in what seemed like the saddest smile in the whole wide world.

He was only seventeen, but he looked so much older. He was older. He had lived too much, he had seen too much for his seventeen years, but this was not the worst part. Bloody hell! He wished this was the worst part. No, the worst part was his future, what would happen to him once he left Hogwarts. He felt defeated now, but he would only show this when he was alone in his room. He had accepted what Lucius wanted for him, after all, Draco had nothing else to fight for. And the only person he cared for, his grandfather, was dead now. There was nothing else. Nothing else mattered anymore. I better go now before that nasty vein in Snape's forehead explodes. He headed towards the potion dungeon and left Emily, his stalker and at times known as his ex-girlfriend, with the words in her mouth since she had been babbling through all the time Draco had spent in the Great Hall. He stopped listening almost as soon as she opened her mouth.

* * * * * * * *

Since Malfoy had been chosen as the Head Boy, Snape had been acting a tad more 'compassionate' towards the Gryffindors. If you can call taking twenty five points from Gryffindor instead of fifty more compassionate.

Of course it was wonderful for Snape. It was not only a Slytherin, but his favorite Slytherin and best student, ignoring the fact that Granger was tied with Draco, for that matter that was chosen as the Head Boy and not wonder boy, a.k.a. Potter. On top of that this was the first year in seventy-eight years in Hogwarts that the Head Girl and Head Boy positions weren't disputed.

This year after a short meeting, of five minutes, with the faculty, Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger were chosen as Head Boy and Head Girl. Today Snape seemed to be in a good mood, well at least no vein in is forehead was visible... yet.

"Well let's start. Today I've decided that since we are a little bit behind I'll assign a project so you can learn about some potions and their ingredients off class, while learning of others in class. I want all of you to write five rolls of parchment on the following plants: Lisbel, Kalaria, Io, Ganymede and Aceber. The essay must contain where they are found, what time of the year they bloom, are they dangerous, can they be found by muggles and wizards alike, what are their properties, what potions are they used in most frequently, do they have other names and everything that is important to know about these. It must be a well elaborated essay and it's due three weeks from today."

Ron and Harry exchanged worried looks, while Hermione took notes that seemed to be making a hole in her parchment. She was not the only one furious with the idea of more work on her schedule, after all Professor Vector had assigned a very long and hard project for Arithmancy on Monday, which Draco had to do too since he was also in Arithmancy. Professor Lupin, who had returned for DADA, had assigned another elaborated essay on Pegasus and Unicorns (no they were not the same despite popular belief).

Draco, like Hermione, seemed to be perturbed at the idea of more work coming his way. Mind you, it wasn't that he was not capable to do it, but he had so much work to do. It seemed that all the Professors had conspired against the seventh years to give them as much work as possible to turn in around the same date.

"However, " Snape continued, "since Mr. Malfoy and Miss Granger..." he said Draco's name with pride while Hermione's with disdain " have many other projects as well as duties to fulfill, I will allow you to turn in your essay two week after the due date at the latest, and you will be writing five rolls of parchment between the two of you. In other words you will work together for this essay. Now lets get started with the class. Today we will learn how to make..."

Draco and Hermione both looked at each other after Snape's words sank into their brains. One thing was working together, but separately, like the Head Boy and Head Girl position required, but this, this meant that for the next month they would be spending more time together, more time than they had expected. Neither of them was thrilled, however they felt a certain relief when Snape told them that they, at least had two more weeks for the assignment, after all they did had loads of work to do.

**************************

Potions went as usual, Neville brewed the Morpheus potion incorrectly and Snape took too many points from Gryffindor (so many that they lost count). Ron got his potion right and so did Harry, but they did not got points for Gryffindor. Blaise Zabini got extra points after Lavander ruined Blaise's potion by tripping on the hem of her robes and adding more asphodel than needed on Blaise's caldron.

At dinnertime Draco and Hermione sat at the faculty table as they ate a succulent dinner. McGonagall told Draco and Hermione they both needed to let her know how many hours were they going to take in Hogsmeade for themselves so the Professors could cover for them. They both nodded in agreement.

"Yes, Professor, we will discuss that in our weekly meeting tonight and we will let you know first thing in the morning on what we agreed on."

"Very well Mr. Malfoy, very well. Oh! Miss. Granger, I gave Mr. Malfoy a copy of the Hogwarts Head Boy and Head Girl handbook. I can't seem to find the other copy anywhere so in the meantime while I order another copy of the handbook from Flourish and Blotts, please ask Mr. Malfoy to borrow his."

"Yes, Professor McGonagall, thank you."

Draco was staring intensely at his plate pretending he hadn't listened to the conversation between Granger and prof McGonagall.

Hermione was mortified. She had been dying to read that handbook for quite sometime now and to top it all off she had to borrow Malfoy's copy.

If she didn't believe in destiny, fate and all that rubbish she could have sworn that destiny was trying to play quite some nasty trick on her... with Malfoy. But the real question was, why? Why did she seemed to get stuck with the former annoying ferret? That is if she believed in destiny, but she didn't. Nope, not Hermione Rebeca Granger. Not Miss. there's-a-perfect-and-logical explanation-for-everything.

***************************

Later that night Draco sat on one of the tables of their common room. The fire was roaring and warm. There were old-fashioned lamps that floated on top of the table Draco was working on. The whole dorm was decorated with all sorts of peculiar and practical things in royal blue and silver.

It was a very warm and cozy dorm. Very different from the cold Slytherin dungeons, but similar to the Gryffindor tower environment (with less noise).

Draco was scribbling in his parchment with forest green ink. He had a copy of his Potions and Arithmancy books at the far end of the table while close to his parchment was an open copy of Quidditch Through the Ages. He seemed to be sketching strategies according to the teams in Hogwarts.

"Wronski Feint? I should try that with Ravenclaw. Now that Chang is gone the new seeker will probably fall for it. After all Boscorelli is not that smart," Draco mumbled.

"Nope, not more Starfish and Stick for Kelley, that idiot almost died trying it... hmmm the Woollogong Shimmy will do for Montague."

He kept mumbling strategies and plays and was so absorbed in what he was doing that he didn't heard when Hermione entered the common room all sweaty and gasping for air. She was flushed. She had obviously run to their dorm.

"Sorry I'm late, I was...." but she didn't finish.

Draco looked at her and back to his book of Quidditch.

"Well, Granger, nice of you to join me." He looked at the clock in the wall. "You are five minutes late... very unlike you Granger. What is it? Snogging with your boyfriend Weasley?"

At this Hermione open her eyes widely and then frowned.

"For your information, Malfoy, I was in the library doing some research for our Potions project and I lost track of time. And not that any of your business, but Ron is not my boyfriend. He has a girlfriend you know."

"Oh, yes, that Ravenclaw girl. Bloody hell, I wonder how she got into Ravenclaw," he added pensively.

"Why," asked Hermione a tad confused.

"Well if Ravenclaw is the house for the smart, wise and witty she sure doesn't seem to reunite those qualities. I mean picking the Weasel as her boyfriend makes me seriously wonder about her intellectual capacities... or lack of them for that matter," he said with his very well known drawl. The same one that he hadn't use in a very long time.

Hermione could have smacked him right then and there.

"You know, Malfoy, for your information she is very smart, and her name is Mandy Brocklehurst. How dare you speak of her 'lack of intellectual capacities' without looking yourself at the mirror, " she said angrily. "After all you were the one with Emily Wood and not anyone else,"she spat this words with venom, just wanting to hurt him just as much as he had her. "Now, how stupid you must be to date that brainless hag."

A beautiful smirk adorned her face.

Draco narrowed his eyes and clenched his jaw, while Hermione widened her smirk at the obvious sign of victory... or so she thought.

"Oh what happened to the all powerful- I have an insult for everyone-all mighty Draco Malfoy?"

"What do you want me to say Granger, huh? That dating Emily was not one of my wisest choices? Well, yes it wasn't. I should have never had, but at least my choice wasn't half as bad as Krum's when he decided to date an ugly, filthy mudblood."

He stood up with his things and headed towards his room, but not before giving Hermione his trademark smirk.

Hermione stood there, motionless, the smirk that once had adorned her face was now gone. Her eyes now stared into the blank space. The same space that Malfoy had occupied moments ago. With those short words Malfoy had managed to defeat her, to hurt her where she hurt the most. She had no strength left. The books she was carrying were now on the floor and her eyes were full of tears.

She was still motionless, but once she heard Draco slamming his door she came back to reality and with all the hatred and despise that her pure heart was capable of she yelled... at the top of her lungs... she yelled at him.

"I HATE YOU, MALFOY, I HATE YOU SO MUCH!"

Of all those painful words there was only one thing true, but only she knew it... at the very back of her head. She didn't hate him... not even a little bit, not even at all. And that's exactly why it hurt her so much. Because she knew something was happening. That something was making her feel something unknown and strange towards Malfoy, and how she wished it was only her imagination playing nasty tricks on her. Then, she ran up to her room throwing herself into her bed and cried herself to sleep.

**********************

Draco gathered his things from the table stood up and before leaving their common room he looked straight into those innocent brown eyes and smirked. As soon as he turned around and headed for his bedroom, as soon as his face was out of her sight, his smirk vanished. He opened the door and before closing it he looked again at her. She hadn't moved, but she had dropped the books she was carrying. He could swear he saw a tear making its way down her pink cheeks to meet her upper lip.

He slammed the door out of anger. He had made her cry. Why hadn't he just ignored her when she tried to provoke him? It wasn't like he didn't deserve it. He had started it. He had started it a million times and she kept her cool most of the time. He had lost control of himself. Why? Why was she crying? He had called her mudblood a zillion times before. Well not since the death of his grandfather, but still. He didn't know what had happened to her in there. Bollocks! He didn't know what had happened to him in there. He had clearly seen hurt in those brown pure eyes.

Well done, bloody well done. That was rich, you bloody idiot.

His train of thought ... or better yet, his train of insults came to a halt by a constant tapping on his window.

He looked at the window and saw an owl he didn't recognize. He opened the window and the caramel and white enormous owl flew in with a letter. He took the letter and the owl took off.

He opened the letter and proceeded to read its content.

Mr. Malfoy:

Please be so kind as to join me for a quick word in my office immediately.

Sincerely,

Professor McGonagall

Oh bloody hell. What have I done now?

He waited just enough time to make sure Granger was no where near, and then he headed to Professor McGonagall's office.

He knocked on the door of the Professor and waited for her answer before going into the office.

"Mr. Malfoy, so glad you could make it this quickly," said Professor McGonagall. "Please take a seat."

Draco sat down, still a bit weary. After all the times he had been called into Professor McGonagall's office in the past, had always been a negative experience.

"Mr. Malfoy, I called you because I need a favor from you. Now I know that the relationship between Gryffindors and Slytherins has never been the best..."

Oh dear God, please don't let her ask me to start tutoring some little, annoying Gryfindor. Please anything but that.

"However, this should not be much trouble for you. After all you live with her..."

Live with her? Granger? Did I missed something in this conversation?

"Miss. Granger parents wrote me a letter in which they explained to me a little..."

Her explanation was broken by a loud shriek outside her office.

"What... If you'll excuse me for a moment Mr. Malfoy. A pressing matter requires my immediate attention it seems."

Draco nodded, and Professor McGonagall quickly exited her office to find a Slytherin, Nemov, terrorizing another fellow student.

Draco took the opportunity to see the letter that had been resting in the surface of the Professor's desk and read it.

Dearest Professor McGonagall:

The birthday of our daughter, Hermione Granger, is soon approaching. Every year we have a little tradition of placing her birthday presents around her room so she can wake up to a happy birthday from the very beginning. Past years we've had no problems, since Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley had been kind enough to take over the tradition. This year, however, we've been assured that either Mr. Potter or Mr. Weasley can access our daughter's living quarters.

It would be a terrible disappointment for me as well as for Dr. Granger, to have our little tradition broken. We know that Mr. Malfoy, is the Head Boy this year, and my husband and I were thinking that perhaps, he could do us a favor of placing her gifts in her room.

We are also enclosing a Thank you gift for Mr. Malfoy, hoping that he will accede to this favor.

Thank you very much.

Yours truly Drs. Granger.

Draco finished reading the letter and before he could sit down, Professor McGonagall enter her office fuming.

"That kid. He'll cause me a premature death," she mumbled under her breath.

She then noticed Draco standing in front of her desk with letter in hand.

"Ah Mr. Malfoy, I see curiosity got the best of you," said Professor McGonagall with raised eyebrows.

"Professor I...I..."

"Save it Mr. Malfoy. Since you already took the liberty of going through my mail, please take that box behind you."

Draco turned around and saw a huge box.

"That was the box Miss Granger parents sent. Inside you'll find all her gifts properly wrapped, as well as a gift for you. I'll expect you not to break the Granger's tradition," she added with a reprimanding look.

"Of course, Professor."

This is what you get for being so bloody nosy!

"Okay, Mr. Malfoy, you ca n leave. And don't forget the box."

Draco nodded. With a quick swish and flick of his wand, he lifted the box with magic and left the office quietly.

This is a lesson I'll never forget. Never be nosy, it can get you into trouble. Hell, even worse, it can get you into being nice to a goody Gryffindor.

*************

Draco stared at the box, took his pocket knife out and proceeded to open it.

Many gifts were inside. He thought that she was a spoiled brat, but after unpacking for a while he thought that probably most of those gifts were books. The wrapping paper was mostly from Celtic gift shop. They were scarlet and gold and had the coat of arms of Gryffindor. Many others had a royal blue and silver colors with the words 'Congratulations Head Girl' flashing in it.

Then at the bottom of the box was a long, not too thin, not too thick, box with the Slytherin wrapping paper. He contemplated the box for a little while. He had received gifts but most of the time they weren't wrapped and they were gifts that Lucius thought would help Draco learn more about the dark arts.

He proceeded to open his gift carefully. When he opened it, he was amazed. Inside the box was a complete stationary kit, with a silver border around each slip of parchment. At the top center of each parchment there was a green snake that slithered with red eyes and right underneath in emerald green was written 'Draco Malfoy'.

There were parchments and envelopes of various sizes with his name engraved in each one of the envelopes in emerald green at the top left corner. There were also ribbons that were silver and green, a metal stamp with his initials in it 'DM' and wax sticks that were a brilliant green. And finally there was a beautiful quill. It was red. A phoenix quill. He was surprised. He had been wanting one for a long time but his father refused (he wasn't very fond of phoenixes... or anything for that matter).

Really, muggles are a lot better than I thought, he thought while flashing a relaxed smile to an empty room. The same smile he had smiled a very long time when his grandfather was still alive. The same smile that made him look his age again.

**************************

Draco woke up that morning to find an unknown owl at the top of his abs.

"What the hell is up with unknown flying objects looking for me?" He took the parchment in its beak.

Malfoy:

I will take two hours for myself in Hogsmeade. Since we will be arriving there at around 11:30am, we'll go on a quick round and make sure everything is okay.

At twelve I will take my two hours until two o'clock.

After that I'll reunite with you in front of The Hungry Mind and we'll go from there. I will tell Professor. McGonagall of our schedule. Answer me A.S.A.P.

H. Granger

*********

Granger:

Fine with me.

D.Malfoy

And he sent the owl.

What in the bloody world is wrong with that girl? Why is she owling me when I'm literally next door to her?

As he made his way out of his room and into the common room, he saw her.

As soon as she saw him, she picked up her pace and placed her things rather quickly in her bag making her way out of the common room. Malfoy noticed the death glare she gave him and ran after her.

"Granger!" He ran after her, but she was walking very quickly.

Good thing that he had longer legs and he caught up with her quickly.

"Granger! What is wrong with you this morning? Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed," he asked flashing a non malicious smirk at her, while grabbing her arm to stop her once and for all.

"Sod off, Malfoy," she said adding an 'I wish you were dead look'.

Draco looked almost hurt, but Hermione thought that it was probably her imagination, plus she didn't have time to feel sorry for the slime ball.

Draco was startled. For the love of his grandfather he could not figure out why she was mad at him... but not for much longer. She would make sure that he'd remember.

"Why did you sent me an owl if I'm right next to you?"

"Because I didn't want to hear your annoying voice or see your pathetic pureblooded face! That's why!" By now Hermione was yelling and the students near them were staring.

Draco noticed.

"Damn it, Granger lower your voice," he hissed.

"I will not! Don't you dare to tell me what to do, Malfoy," she yelled.

Her anger blinded her. She wasn't being rational at all, if she had been , she wouldn't have been putting on the show she was.

"Damn it, woman! What in the bloody hell is wrong with you. I haven't done anyth..." and suddenly realization slapped him in the face... hard!

He had completely forgotten about last night's fight. He had been so absorbed in when to arrange her presents without her suspecting anything that he had forgotten... she had cried last night.

"Listen, Granger, about what happened last night..."

"Shut up you imbecile!" Now she was the one hissing, and boy, the hurt and the hate in those eyes, made Draco's heart shrank and his skin had goose bumps, but he could not understand why.

Once again she stormed out, but he wasn't a seeker for nothing. He grabbed her by the arm before she could give a second step and he hadn't even moved. This time she struggled even more, so he grabbed her waist too and pulled her close to his body. She would listen to what he had to say, No one left a Malfoy with an apology in his mouth... wait, Malfoy's did not apologize!
She opened her eyes wide and her breathing became irregular and faster. This was the second time her body was pressed against his and God, he loved how it felt.

He could feel her breasts falling and rising against his chest with every breath she took. They were both staring into each others eyes, and it seemed like a storm had broken loose in both their souls.

Once gain her knees gave up on her, and she felt like she was going to crash into the floor, but he was strong and quicker. He prevented her from falling but by preventing it, their bodies pressed more closely together.

Her breathing was becoming shorter and faster and she felt very dizzy suddenly. His breathing was longer and slower. He was so lost in the pool of her eyes that he felt that he would drown at any moment. He didn't care now. He would not mind drowning himself inside of her.

She looked into those grey eyes. Into the tornado they were now. She felt herself getting lost in them, just like when you watch a thunderstorm, and keep thinking how beautiful and dangerous it is. But you stay there, not moving, just watching, and maybe if you are lucky the thunderstorm notices you and strikes you, strikes you right in the heart.

Her knees had completely given up on her, that much she knew, but that's as far as she could go... she was lost in him, in his storm, in his battle.

He was so much taller than her. He felt so strong against her body. Those broad shoulders and strong arms, made her feel safer than anything or anyone she had experienced before.

He could see the battle inside her soul reflected in her eyes, and he couldn't understand what in the world was going on with both of them, it was so inexplicable, but it felt so good.

He, like her, had abandoned all rationalization by now and without thinking about anything except her in his arm, he lowered his head to search for her lips and she didn't move.

Their faces were mere inches apart, she felt it coming. He was so close. She held her breath expectantly, closed her eyes and tilted her head a little bit to the side.

That was all he needed, her response. He was going to kiss her. He approached her lips more. They were barely touching their lips when...

"Mr. Malfoy, Miss.Granger, what in the world is going on? I was told that you two were fighting," said Professor McGonagall ignoring the compromising position she found them in.

Draco let go of Hermione, but her knees were still too weak. She was about to fall when he caught her for the fourth time.

"Thanks, " she said shyly in a barely audible whisper to him.

He just nodded absently. He was still a little surprised on what just almost happened. He had been about to kiss her.

"Oh, Professor, we weren't really fighting, we were just... having a slight disagreement, " said Hermione clearing her throat.

"I see... I also see that apparently you two have solved your disagreement."

Hermione flushed as red as Ron's hair, and Draco just gave a short nod trying to hide an amused smile forming in his lips.

"Yes, Professor, we have, " added Malfoy.

"Well, have the two of you worked on a schedule for Saturday?"

"Yes, yes, here's a copy of our schedule, " said a more composed Hermione reaching for the schedule in her bag.

"Thank you, Miss. Granger." She gave a quick look to the schedule. "Seems like the Hogsmeade trip has been well organized, which shouldn't come as a surprise since you two are the best students Hogwarts has. Well go on now to breakfast and no more fights... or disagreements."

They both nodded and quickly headed to the Great Hall.

"Oh and Miss. Granger..." They both stopped abruptly and turned around to face Professor McGonagall. "Maybe you should go to see Madam Pomfrey concerning your week knees. You can't expect Mr. Malfoy to be around every time your knees give up on you, to break your fall, can you?" She had a mischievous smile in her face and quickly winked at Draco.

Draco was trying to hide his knowing grin , while Hermione was trying to stop the brutal shade of red that she was becoming Professor Mcgonagall left and they both started to walk toward the Great hall.

Draco let a loud laugh scape his throat, and Hermione was mortified.

"Shut up, Malfoy!"

He didn't say anything, but kept smiling.

They reached the great hall and went to their respective tables, like nothing had ever happened. Maybe if I ignore it enough, they both thought, Maybe nothing really happened, but they both knew that that was only wishful thinking.

**************************

The rest of the day went by pretty much the same, except for Snape taking only ten points from Gryffindor and Seamus being chased by a doxy in Care of magical creatures (poor thing, almost got his arm bitten off, because he called one of the doxies a fairy... big mistake!).

After dinner Hermione went to the Gryffindor common room for some tea and a game of exploding snap with Seamus, Dean and Ginny while Harry and Ron ran through the new strategies for this Quidditch season.

Almost the entire team was new since last year. Harry was the seeker and captain, Ron had become a chaser with Ginny, Dean Thomas was a beater with Diego Spencer (a 6th year with a Puerto Rican mother and English father) and Gabriel O'Maley, a fifth year Irish brunette, was the Keeper (and a good one too).

The team was very good, they had created a very tight bond, they seemed to be able to read each others minds and that's why no one could beat them last year. Although Slytherin came very close. Malfoy was a captain not to be fooled with and he played fair... most of the time.

It was already eleven p.m. when Hermione announced that she was going to her dorm. She was exhausted and wanted to take a shower and meditate on the things that she had to do tomorrow and Saturday. Or so she told herself. In reality what she wanted to contemplate was a certain blond with certain grey eyes, and why this person made her weak in the knees, something that had never happened to her before.

"You sure you don't want us to walk you to your dorm?" asked Ron.

"Nope, that's fine, don't worry."

"Night, Herm" they all said in unison.

"Night, mates."

*******************

"Lions and Serpents, "said Hermione to the portrait of a very handsome prince as it swung open winking at her.

"Honestly, no shame at all," said Hermione shaking her head in disbelief, referring to the prince in the portrait who had tried to hit on her for the millionth time.

"Nope, not really, but I thought we had already established that," said Draco frowning.

Hermione was startled. She hadn't noticed Draco on the couch.

"Don't flatter yourself, Malfoy. I was talking about Prince Dashiell on the portrait."

"Oh, " Draco said a little disappointed.

She moved to her room and quickly emerged from it heading to the bathroom. During her shower she couldn't find any logical explanation as to why her knees weakened, around that ... that... that Malfoy!

As she dried herself with her towel, she noticed that she had left her robe in her room.

"Okay, no big deal. He probably isn't there anyway. And even if he was, he would never look at you that way. As he said, you are just an ugly, filthy mudblood," she told the Hermione staring back at her from the mirror. But as usual, her brain had to meddle, what about what happened this morning?

She looked into the mirror and with a resolution in her voice she simply said,

"Nothing happened this morning. Nothing!"

She covered herself carefully with the towel and as she left the bathroom she noticed that Draco was still on the couch reading intently.

Please, God, don't let him look up, please...

"Hey, Granger, I was wondering when in the world yo..." As he tried to say 'you' he raised his head from the book and he found an almost naked and still somewhat wet Hermione.

His heart stopped for what seemed an eternity. Her hair was wet and her skin still had a few drops of water.

Her skin looked so soft and so sweet. It seemed like her skin was begging to be conquered, and how he would have loved to be the conqueror. Her long legs would make him travel them for days and days, until he could reach for her treasure. What in the bloody hell are you thinking, he slapped himself mentally you REALLY need to see Madam Pomfrey about those psych wizards.

"WHAT?" Spat an exasperated and mortified Hermione.

"Oh, I...I ju..just wanted to know if you wanted to work on the Potions project tomorrow night, after my meeting with Madam Hooch?"

"Oh! well....um..I...I don't know."

"Why not? Do you have something better to do?" He already knew the answer, but he wanted to hear it from her.

"Well umm, my... umm. my parents are taking me to dinner tomorrow night."

"Oh, and why's that?"

Hermione didn't want to answer that. She didn't wanted to share something so important to her with that... that... with him! Only the people that cared about her and loved her should know, and those people already knew. She just didn't know that he was on that list.

"How come that Dumbledore gave you permission to stay out of the grounds of Hogwarts at night. Don't tell me he has favoritism towards Gryffindors. Or is it that you are going to sneak out?" He smirked at her.

"No! And he doesn't have favoritism towards anyone. It's my birthday and my parents asked Dumbledore to make an exception," she said visibly angry and forgetting she was almost naked in front of him.

"Well if it's your birthday I guess we better make an exception for little Miss Perfect Head Girl."

He said sarcastically as he stood up and walked dangerously close to her.

"Sod off Malfoy! It's not my fault that your parents probably don't even remember your birthday!"

At this Draco's eyes flashed in anger and hurt. Hermione had hit him hard. Where it hurt the most. He thought of the best insults to hiss at her, but suddenly the image of her last night came into mind and her words echoed in his head:"I hate you Malfoy, I hate you so much!" He opened his mouth.

"Good night, Granger." He turned around and headed to his room.

Hermione realized that she had gone too far. Somehow he managed to take the worst out of her. Still it was not an excuse.

"Malfoy, I'm so..."

"Good night, Granger, " he repeated emphatically.

He didn't want her pity. Now they were even, according to him, and before he closed the door behind him, he turned around.

"Oh, and happy birthday."

"What," she asked like she had no idea what he was talking about.

He looked up at the clock near the entrance.

"It's 12:05 am, it's your birthday already. Happy birthday... good night, Hermione."

"Oh right... my birthday, thanks... night, " she said almost automatically.

He closed the door. She turned around and walked to her room. Why had she felt so awful after saying those horrible things to Malfoy? It was Malfoy and he had said worse things to her, like last night for example. But then again why did she feel so awful?

Oh! Stop whining, you are even now, she thought and with that she went to bed.

"Nox." The lights in her room were out.

She was getting cozy in her bed... today was her day. He had even wished her a happy birthday.

"Way to start my day," she mumbled to herself happily.

She was drifting to sleep, but then suddenly, she sprang up with her eyes wide open, like if she had just had a nightmare:

"He called me, Hermione. Oh, Merlin!"

* * * * * * * * * * *

Draco waited until she was asleep to sneak into her bedroom. He placed all her presents carefully on the floor around her bedroom so it kind of resembled a "gift land"

He stopped and stared at her peacefully sleeping form. He thought that she had looked beautiful before with her hair all wet and little drops of water falling from her hair into her shoulders. But now... now she looked so innocent and beautiful, so sweet and calm and peaceful and... God! Shut up he thought.

She stirred a little, but then got cozy again. One of her curls had fallen into her face. He got close to her and delicately brushed the curl off her face and behind her ear. The skin contact was electrifying. He felt something in his chest, like... like... well he really didn't know what it felt like; he had never experienced it before. The closest description he could give was that it was warm and tight. He didn't understand what it was or what was happening to him and that scared him to no end.

He stood up and as he was leaving he murmured,

"What it's wrong with you?"

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Hermione woke up an hour later than usual, because she decided to treat herself to an extra hour of sleep. She stretched on her bed as she realized that this year her birthday wouldn't be the same because the tradition would not be followed this year. Her parents were not there and Harry and Ron could not access her dorm.

She opened the curtains of her four poster bed and she was speechless. Her eyes danced across the room. This was by far, of all her years at Hogwarts, the best birthday!

She stood up from her bed. Balloons were floating all around the room, many presents were neatly accommodated in the floor, chairs, and desk. Serpentines were floating on mid air, of different colors, silver, green, red, gold, pink, blue. Glitter and confetti seemed to be falling from her ceiling. Little fairies were dancing around her room writing in mid air with their little wands "Happy birthday, Hermione" in glitter. It was almost perfect.

The only thing missing to make this entirely perfect is... and she glanced at one of her windows. There it was, what would make this morning simply perfect, the most beautiful bouquet of Calla lilies tied perfectly with straw string.

"My favorite. Wow, this is too much!" she laughed.

She lifted the flowers. There were a dozen of them neatly arranged and there was a little note sticking from the middle of the bouquet.

"Happy Birthday, Hermione.

DM."

She frowned

"Who's DM? Oh God. Draco Malfoy." She read it again.

Yeah it was him, but if he sent those flowers, did that mean that he had arranged her room too? She was shocked, but she was smiling and that smile did not fade away for a very, very, very long time.

***************

She went to breakfast, looking radiant. She had let her hair loose and had straightened it for today. Ron, Harry, Ginny, and Mandy greeted her cheerfully, whistling and congratulating her very loudly... so loudly that all the tables including the faculty table was now staring at the noise makers and at the birthday girl.

Hermione was flushing and pulling her hair behind her left ear.

"Happy birthday, Head Girl!"

"Ohhh, somebody's looking stunning today!"

"Happy birthday, Herm!"

She finally sat down and tried to burry herself in her seat. After a while the congratulatory team seemed to calm down and shut up finally.

"Hermione, I know it's your birthday and you are entitled to be very happy for that, but you look so much happier... like goofy happy," said Ron while stuffing his mouth with eggs.

"Yes, you have a certain glow. What's the deal?" added Harry while he buttered some toast.

"Oh, nothing really, I just woke up on the right side of the bed. Plus my parents are coming tonight to take me out for dinner, so I'm really happy about that."

"Wicked. Oh by the way, Herm, Harry and I are very sorry that we couldn't follow the tradition this year," said Ron.

"Yeah, we really wanted to, but you know we can't get into your dorm and other option was out of the question," added Harry just slightly frustrated.

"And that other option was?" asked Hermione.

"Well you know... asking Malfoy" said Ron a bit ashamed and in a barely audible tone.

"Honestly, the pair of you. Anyway it doesn't matter, the tradition wasn't broken."

"Huh?" was all Harry could say with a mouth full of pancakes.

"What do you mean," asked Ginny and Mandy together, afraid of the answer.

"Well, somehow Malfoy found out about the tradition and he arranged everything."

Now the five of them were staring at their plates confused.

"Wait. So you are trying to tell us that Malfoy was nice to you? That he did something nice for you," asked an extremely puzzled Harry.

"Yes, I guess."

Harry and Ron exchanged very confused glances. None of them were expecting that.

"I told you that he had been very civil lately."

"Yeah, well civil is one thing, especially given your situation, but nice? Malfoy nice," said Harry.

"Yeah, that's a new concept. Bloody hell, that's a disturbing concept," added Ron

"He's behaving civil most of the time. He did called me mudblood the other night," she said barely above a whisper.

"He what," spat Ron so loudly that the entire hall turned around to watch him.

Everyone turned back to eat.

"That's it! It will be payback time in Potions. That slimy git, son of a death eater," continued Harry with many insults that Hermione had never heard coming from his mouth.

"Oh, come on the two of you. Don't go picking up a fight especially not in front of Snape. He will take all the points we have if you even dare to stare at Malfoy."

"Okay, fine. We'll get him after Quidditch meeting tonight. Right, Harry?"

"Right you are, Ron."

"Really no need for violence. It wasn't like I didn't said some ugly things too."

Harry and Ron shrugged and they left to double potions with the Slytherins.

"Bye, darling, I'll see you in Herbology" said Ron to Mandy, while giving her a peck in the lips

"And that won't be seen enough," she said in a syrupy voice.

"I think I'm going to be sick," added a voice behind them.

It was the always stunning Blaise Zabini. She had a smirk on her face.

"Oh, Blaise, are you jealous, Blaise dear," asked Mandy.

Blaise laughed hard.

"Oh my dear Brocklehurst. And what exactly am I supposed to be jealous of? Your boyfriend... or your ability to fool people?"

Blaise asked with a cynical sweet smile.

Mandy lost her smirk.

"I don't fool people, Blaise, unlike other people. And jealous of my boyfriend of course. Wouldn't you like to have him for yourself," asked Mandy, smirk back in her face.

Blaise's amber eyes flashed pure anger and Mandy sensed that danger was on its way.

"My dear, Amanda, I don't fool people. What you see is what you get!"

"Oh, so you are a harpy, because, in all honesty, Blaise, that's what I see from you."

Ron grabbed Mandy from her waist, like trying to say stop it.

"Oh, stop it! You are making me blush with such nice compliments." Blaise's smirk was very much present in that beautiful face of hers.

Hermione, Harry, Ron, and Ginny were a bit nervous. Everyone knew that Blaise had quite a reputation, but there were so many rumors of her circulating around Hogwarts, that no one knew what could be true. But one thing everyone knew, she was ruthless and she didn't mind.

"Well it was very nice having this exchange with you, Brocklehurst, but I don't want to be late for Potions, like I suppose the rest of your crew. So if you'll excuse me, I'll pick up where we left later."

And with that she turned around and left. Her beautiful, straight brown hair with blonde chucks swinging side to side.

Hermione didn't know why, but she was never truly afraid of Blaise. A bit nervous around her at times, yes, but mostly she respected her. She had never hated her. And for some reason apparently the respect was mutual, because Blaise never insulted Hermione. Never.

***************************

The rest of the day went by smoothly. Hermione was getting ready to go out with her parents for dinner in Hogsmeade.

She tried to thank Draco, but she had no success. He had avoided her in the classes they shared and he was pretty much no where to be found after that.

She was wearing one of the dresses her parents had sent her as a gift. It was a soft shade of peach and pink, and every time she walked the fabric of the dress made it look like she was floating. The dress finished right above her knee in the left side of her dress, while the right side finished in mid calf. She wore the diamond studs her parents had given her when they found out she had become a Head Girl.

Her hair was pulled in a low pony tail wrapped by her own hair. Around her neck there was a small scarf of the same fabric of her dress resembling a choker. She looked absolutely stunning and the little make up she wore only accentuated her natural beauty.

She left her room with a gorgeous smile. She looked in the common room and it was empty. At this sight, her smile faded and her heart sank a little bit, but the reason for that, she would not acknowledge.

She left their dorm to spend a great night with her parents in a new Restaurant in Hogsmeade, The Water Dragon.

**********************

Draco had been home now for almost three hours after the infamous meeting. He was tired after a very long day of evading Granger. He didn't know what had possessed him to agree with Professor McGonagall and arrange everything for Granger's birthday, but he had and he had to face her sooner or later, right?

So now he was not evading her. Nope, not now. Not him. He was just doing research on his Arithmancy essay, or so he told himself. Funny though, how he had spent the last two hours in the same page and he still had no idea what the page was about.

He finally decided to go to his bedroom. It was fruitless to stay reading, or trying to.

He went to his bedroom and change into his exercise shorts. He laid on the floor and started doing push ups. He did many and many of them to occupy his mind. He was doing sit ups, and was actually immersed in his thoughts because he didn't noticed when the door shyly opened.

"Malfoy?"

He was startled and jumped to his feet where he saw a head popping in through the door.

"Yes, Granger?" He hid his surprise.

She opened the door, but the sight of an almost naked Draco left her brain empty of any thought... except how good he looked.

She took a good look at him and his broad shoulders, strong arms, perfectly shaped abs. However, he did not notice how she stared at him because he was staring at her in the same way.

She truly looked beautiful in that dress. She could pass as a nymph if she wanted to.

Draco, wake up.

Hermione, wake up.

They both thought at the same time, coming out of their reverie.

"Ummm, I... I just wanted to know if ... if I could borrow your copy of the Head Girl and Head Boy handbook," she said a bit flushed.

"Oh, yeah sure." He turned around to look for his handbook which was on his desk.

Hermione let out a loud gasp when she saw his back. It had so many scars, maybe too many for any seventeen year old boy. They were all different sizes and shapes.

"Merlin's sake, what happened to you? Who did that to you," she asked concerned.

He approached her and she noticed the scar at the top of his right breast, it ran diagonally. She was hypnotized by it and without thinking she extended her left arm and gently ran her fingers across the scar.

He felt like a lighting bolt had just struck him, and the current was running to every part of his body.

She felt him shiver under her touch.

He felt warm, his stomach felt tight and for a second or two he felt dizzy. Then he held his arm and handed her the handbook.

"Here's the handbook."

She was brought back to reality and withdrew her fingers from the scar, like if the scar burned her fingers.

"I just had many unfortunate accidents as a child," he simply said.

"Thanks for the handbook." She lowered her head and turned around, but before he closed his door.

"Oh, Draco. Thanks for... well thanks for everything, you know. The flowers and everything else. It meant a lot to my parents that you did it...It meant a lot to me, " she said softly and looking away from those deep, penetrating eyes.

"You are welcome," he said almost inaudibly.

"Good night, Hermione."

"Good night, Draco."

They both exchanged short glances and each turned their own way.

"Yeah, unfortunate accidents, right? I bet they have a name too... don't they Lucius Malfoy?"

She told herself sarcastically as she jumped into her bed.