The Whole Nine Yards

Chapter Three - Revenge Is A Dish Best Served Cold

~ The Great Hall ~

Draco sat at the teacher's table watching the student tables with interest. He was attempting to figure out who had hit on Harry since no one would tell him who it was. He had already eliminated the Slytherins, Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs because of a random comment Harry had made earlier. Therefore he was watching the Gryffindors with great interest.

It was about mid-way through lunch that Draco noticed it. The redhead from his seventh year Gryffindor/Slytherin Ancient Runes class was staring at Harry with unashamed longing.

Eve Williams. So she was the slut who had hit on his Harry. Well, she would pay for that.

"Dray-co?" Harry cooed, waving his hand in front of Draco's eyes.

"Wha?" Draco dragged his gaze from the evil temptress to his husband.

"What's so fascinating at the Gryffindor table now that I don't sit there?" Harry asked teasingly.

"Uh....I think there are a couple of kids who think they are the next Fred and George over there. I'm keeping an eye on them," Draco said quickly. Not a total lie, there were two forth year boys who fancied themselves to be pranksters, but they would never be in the same league as the Weasley twins.

"Oh, Jack and Wesley. They're harmless. I'm trying to have a conversation with my gorgeous husband and you're more concerned with two wannabes. Sometimes I wonder why I bother," Harry said in mock-frustration.

"Sorry. You have my undivided attention," Draco said soothingly as he turned to face Harry.

"Well, what were you saying before?" Draco asked.

"I can't remember now," Harry pouted. Draco laughed and kissed Harry quickly.

"Ugh, don't you two ever stop?" Ron complained good-naturedly as Hermione grinned at them.

"How was flying class today?" Draco asked Ron, "those first years giving you any trouble?"

"Nah. I don't know what it is about kids these days, they just don't have any spark. God, the trouble we used to get into," Ron sighed sentimentally as the other three rolled their eyes.

~ Ancient Runes Classroom ~

Draco surveyed his seventh year Gryffindor/Slytherin class as they worked on translating their runes. Eve was working diligently, the very image of a model student.

The bell rang and the students scrambled to pack up their books and hurry off to their common rooms.

"Eve, could I see you for a moment, please," Draco requested firmly, leaving no room for discussion.

"Sure, Professor Potter," she said sweetly, staying in her seat. Draco walked towards her and sat on the desk in front of her.

"I know about the little incident after Defence Against the Dark Arts class yesterday," Draco said calmly.

Eve looked startled for a second and then simply looked smug.

"You know I really have to doubt Harry's sexuality, he really seemed to get into that kiss," she said slyly.

Draco's eyes narrowed.

"He is a married man, Eve. If you want an affair with a professor, go after Snape. Just keep your hands, and your mouth, away from my husband. Trust me, you do not want me as your enemy," Draco said grimly.

"Are you threatening me?" Eve asked, disbelieving.

"No, merely pointing out that I have a vast knowledge of the dark arts and I'm not afraid to use it," Draco said conversationally.

"I'll keep that in mind," Eve said, not quite so sure of herself now. She'd heard the stories about the Malfoy family and knew enough to know that the Professor wasn't lying.

"See that you do," Draco replied, picking up his bag and leaving a shaken Eve still sitting in the middle of the classroom.

~ Quidditch Pitch ~

Hermione was sitting watching Ron and Harry playing one-on-one Quidditch when Draco sat down next to her. Across the field there was a large group of girls, all giggling and pointing at Harry. Draco scowled at the sight.

"Hi Draco, how are you?" she asked, noting his serious expression.

"Better, now," he replied with a small smile.

"Okay, what's going on?" she asked, abandoning all pretence of watching the game and devoting her attention to the troubled former-Slytherin.

"I just had a conversation with Eve Williams," Draco said, watching Hermione's expression thoughtfully. It was obvious she knew the significance of that name.

"Oh?" Hermione said casually.

"Don't play that game, Mione. We both know what that little slut did. She had just better keep away from Harry or..."

"Or what, Draco? No, I really want to know," Hermione said curiously, "What would you do if she did hit on Harry again?"

"Something humiliating. Something painful...." Draco's voice cracked, "Oh god. I threatened a student. I'm just like my father aren't I? Something happens that interferes with my plans so I remove it. At least I just threatened her, I could have done something much worse. I'm a monster aren't I?" Draco held his head in his hands, a picture of despair. He was babbling, almost incoherently.

Hermione reached out and rubbed his shoulder. "You are not a monster, Draco. You are a caring person who loves Harry very much. You just got a bit carried away. You know Harry would never leave you for a girl or anyone for that matter. He adores you. And as for that stuff about your father, I think you ought to talk to Harry about it. It's obviously troubling you."

"I can't. Please don't tell him what I did to Eve. He'd never forgive me," Draco pleaded with desperate eyes.

"I won't bring it up, but if he asks me, I won't lie," Hermione compromised.

"Thank you." Draco said softly.

"You know you can't keep bottling up this anger towards your father, one of these days it's all going to spill out and it won't be pretty," she warned.

"Doctor Mione is in the house!" Draco announced.

"Make fun of me all you want, but you'll see. One of these days," Hermione said as she stood up.

Ron and Harry had landed and were walking towards them. Draco quickly pulled himself together and stood up to kiss his husband.